French Hospital Medical Center Foundation’s ‘Gathering for Good’ Event Raises $473,000 for Patient Programs and Services
Edwin Hayashi, MD and Howard Hayashi, MD honored with the 2025 Louis Tedone, MD Humanitarian Award
San Luis Obispo – October 29, 2025 – The French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) Foundation is pleased to announce that their “Gathering for Good” event, formerly known as the Celebration of Caring Gala, raised more than $473,000 to support patient programs at FHMC, with a focus on cancer services. Gathering for Good took place October 18, 2025 at the White Barn in San Luis Obispo and was attended by more than 270 guests. The event also celebrated the FHMC Foundation’s 20th anniversary and success in raising over $70 million since 2005 in support of French Hospital, San Luis Obispo’s original non-profit hospital.
At the event, Edwin Hayashi, MD, and his late brother Howard Hayashi, MD, were honored with the 2025 Louis Tedone, MD, Humanitarian Award. Each year, the FHMC Foundation award recognizes the extraordinary contributions of individuals dedicated to building healthier communities with this award. Dr. Edwin Hayashi accepted the award on behalf of himself and his brother, who passed away in October 2024.
Dr. Edwin Hayashi and Dr. Howard Hayashi have been foundational to the health and well-being of the Central Coast. Both have long been recognized for going above and beyond in their care and compassion for their patients. Dr. Howard Hayashi was the founding Director of the SLO County Trauma Program, serving in this role until his illness. Dr. Edwin Hayashi is the founding Chairman of FHMC’s Cancer Committee and countywide Tumor Board, which he continues to chair today. Dr. Howard Hayashi was a founding partner of Associated Surgeons, for which Dr. Edwin Hayashi continues to serve as managing partner. Together, they were the first doctors to bring several revolutionary, minimally invasive procedures to the Central Coast. These complex operations allow patients to stay close to home for their care rather than traveling to tertiary centers outside of the Central Coast.
Both physicians have served on the faculty at their respective universities and have supported a wide range of interests and nonprofit organizations throughout the county. Dr. Edwin Hayashi continues to serve on the Hearst Cancer Resource Center (HCRC) Advisory Committee at French Hospital and remains an advocate, partner, and resource to the HCRC staff and cancer community.
At Gathering for Good, a special Call to Action raised more than $109,000 for the FHMC’s Early Breast Cancer Detection Program. This program provides free breast cancer screening mammograms and follow-up diagnostic testing for patients who could not otherwise afford them - low-income, uninsured, and underinsured patients. The fund ensures that these patients have access to potentially life-saving breast cancer screenings, increasing the likelihood of a positive outcome after a cancer diagnosis.
“We were honored to present Drs. Edwin Hayashi and Howard Hayashi with this truly well deserved Humanitarian Award,” said Sue Andersen, FHMC President and CEO. “The overwhelming outpouring of support for both Hayashis—from fellow physicians and the San Luis Obispo County community—is evidence of the incredible impact these brothers have made in local health care for patients and their families.”
Since 2006, this annual Foundation event has raised more than $4,250,000 to support FHMC patient programs and services. The success of Gathering for Good is due to the incredible generosity of its sponsors, contributors, and guests.
To learn more about the Foundation or to donate to the Early Breast Cancer Detection Program, visit www.supportfrenchhospital.org. Donations can be made as a tribute to honor Drs. Edwin and Howard Hayashi. For more information about free mammogram clinics, contact the Hearst Cancer Resource Center at (805)542-6234.
About French Hospital Medical Center
French Hospital Medical Center is a state-of-the-art, 98-bed acute care hospital located in San Luis Obispo, California. French’s Oppenheimer Family Center for Emergency Medicine is the area’s most advanced emergency services center. The modern facility is home to the Copeland, Forbes, and Rossi Cardiac Care Center, is the county’s premier cardiac center, providing the latest cardiac and imaging technology, and the Hearst Cancer Resource Center offering free education, resources and support to cancer patients and their families. French Hospital has also earned 27 Straight A’s in Hospital Safety from the Leapfrog Group. To learn more, visit dignityhealth.org/frenchhospital.
About Dignity Health Central Coast
Dignity Health Central Coast is comprised of 7 award-winning hospitals, Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard and St. John’s Hospital Camarillo, all recognized for their quality of care, safety and service. It also includes Pacific Central Coast Health Centers, the employed network of physicians and advanced practice providers on the central coast which includes primary care and specialty offices spanning from Templeton down to Ventura. Dignity Health Central Coast also includes premier ambulatory surgery centers, technologically advanced imaging centers, outpatient services, and comprehensive home health services. Learn more at dignityhealth.org/centralcoast.