District's CEO given Caregiver Award

Camarillo Health Care District CEO Blair Barker was among 11 honorees on May 31, 2026, as the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation presented the 33rd annual Leo Tauber, MD, and David Fainer, MD,  Event Ventura County Community Awards.

A woman in a floral dress and denim jacket holds an award in a garden, celebrating a caregiver achievement.
Camarillo Health Care District CEO holds the Caregiver Award she was given on May 31, 2026.

Barker was recognized with the Caregiver Award. Maureen O'Keefe Hodge, a social worker at Community Memorial Healthcare, received the Trailblazer Award; social worker Wendi Amezquita was recognized as Behavioral/Mental Health Professional of the Year; Kenya Dominguez, a child welfare social worker with  Ventura County's Children and Family Services Department, received the Public Health Professional Award; and Anh Le, director of DLV Vision and a clinical professor at the Marshall B. Ketchum University School of Optometry, received the Vision Care Specialist Award.

Jeremy Wilgus, a dentist and chairman of the California Dental Association Board of Managers, was named Oral Health Specialist of the Year; Dr. Christine Desai, chief medical officer for Pacific Inpatient Physicians, received Hospital Physician of the Year Award; Monique Brandl, a registered nurse who specializes in hospice care, won Nurse of the Year; the Community Physician Award was given to Dr. Charles Murphy, a physician with his own local practice; and the Allied Health Professional Award was presented to Barbara Roth, therapy preceptor at Mission Healthcare. The Community Service Award was presented to Kaiser Permanente.

The District's Barker is a dedicated public health professional and Certified Special District manager. She has 13 years with the District, spanning roles in health promotion, care services, program management and leadership. She brings a deeply rooted understanding of the organization, its community and the people served.

A passionate advocate for caregivers, Barker's commitment is both professional and deeply personal. As she was a caregiver for her mother, she understands the challenges and emotional weight that caregiving carries. This lived experience drives her work and shapes her leadership.

"The Caregiver Award means so much," Barker said when she stepped up to the podium to accept the honor. "I am sure there are so many of you here who are a caregiver whether or not you see yourself in that way. It has been a passion of the Camarillo Health Care District to support those who just give so much of themselves. This award is not just for me, it's for the District, the staff, the Caregiver Center, and for all the other caregivers in the county -- Senior Concerns and the Area Agency on Aging. The work we all do together continues to support those who give so much of themselves."

A woman in a white jacket speaks at a podium outdoors, engaged in a discussion, with a building and palm trees in the background.
Kenya Dominguez, a child welfare social worker with  Ventura County's Children and Family Services Department, received the Public Health Professional Award.
A woman speaks at a podium while two seated women listen, with palm trees and an American flag in the background.
Dr. Christine Desai, chief medical officer for Pacific Inpatient Physicians, received Hospital Physician of the Year Award.
A person wearing sunglasses speaks at a podium outdoors, with palm trees and buildings in the background.
Maureen O'Keefe Hodge, a social worker at Community Memorial Healthcare, received the Trailblazer Award.
A speaker stands at a podium outdoors, with trees and flags in the background, appearing engaged in a discussion or presentation.
Monique Brandl, a registered nurse who specializes in hospice care, won Nurse of the Year.
A man in sunglasses speaks at a podium while two women listen. Outdoor setting with trees and a building in the background.
Jeremy Wilgus, a denist and chairman of the California Dental Association Board of Managers, was named Oral Health Specialist of the Year.
A woman in sunglasses speaks at a podium while another woman listens attentively, surrounded by palm trees and flags.
Allied Health Professional Award was presented to Barbara Roth, therapy preceptor at Mission Healthcare.
Two men are shaking hands under an umbrella in a sunny outdoor setting, with a large house visible in the background.
Dr. Charles Murphy was given the Community Physician Award.
A man in a light suit speaks at a podium outdoors, with flags and palm trees in the background.
The Community Service Award was presented to Kaiser Permanente.
A group of people posing together in front of a large, white, historic house on a sunny day.
The awards ceremony was held at the Lloyd Butler Ranch.
A group of women enjoying drinks outdoors, wearing hats and sunglasses, gathered around a table at a social event.
Camarillo Health Care District staff were on hand to congratulate their CEO.
Two women wearing denim jackets and sunglasses hold drinks, smiling in a sunny outdoor setting with greenery.
District CEO Blair Barker and CAO Sonia Amezcua.
Four women pose together outdoors, each in distinctive hats, holding an award, smiling in a vibrant, festive atmosphere.
Past and current District staff celebrated with CEO Blair Barker.
A diverse group of seven people poses together in front of a building, wearing stylish outfits and smiles.
The event had a Western theme.
Two smiling women pose together outdoors. One wears a black hat and the other sports sunglasses and a denim shirt.
District Health Promotion Coordinator Mariana and Adult Day Center Coordinator Amy.
A woman in a white jacket speaks at a podium outdoors, engaged in a discussion, with a building and palm trees in the background.
A woman speaks at a podium while two seated women listen, with palm trees and an American flag in the background.
A person wearing sunglasses speaks at a podium outdoors, with palm trees and buildings in the background.
A speaker stands at a podium outdoors, with trees and flags in the background, appearing engaged in a discussion or presentation.
A man in sunglasses speaks at a podium while two women listen. Outdoor setting with trees and a building in the background.
A woman in sunglasses speaks at a podium while another woman listens attentively, surrounded by palm trees and flags.
Two men are shaking hands under an umbrella in a sunny outdoor setting, with a large house visible in the background.
A man in a light suit speaks at a podium outdoors, with flags and palm trees in the background.
A group of people posing together in front of a large, white, historic house on a sunny day.
A group of women enjoying drinks outdoors, wearing hats and sunglasses, gathered around a table at a social event.
Two women wearing denim jackets and sunglasses hold drinks, smiling in a sunny outdoor setting with greenery.
Four women pose together outdoors, each in distinctive hats, holding an award, smiling in a vibrant, festive atmosphere.
A diverse group of seven people poses together in front of a building, wearing stylish outfits and smiles.
Two smiling women pose together outdoors. One wears a black hat and the other sports sunglasses and a denim shirt.

 

 

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