Society of 1906

William C. Gates, MD/Society of 1906

William C. Gates, MD/Society of 1906 recognition is presented to those individuals and organizations whose lifetime grant making, philanthropic, or sponsorships commitments in support of Avita Health System: Avita Bucyrus, Avita Galion, Avita Ontario – exceeds $1,000,000.

Members

• Green, Gayle & Richard
• Ohio Department of Health
• Ohio Hospital Association
• Park National Bank
• Payne, Randy & Lisa
• Ralph E. Boyd Foundation
• State of Ohio
• Timken Foundation
• Women’s Auxiliary of Bucyrus Hospital
• Women’s Auxiliary of Galion Hospital

White Coat Ceremony – A Special Celebration of Donors who Achieve Membership in the William C. Gates, MD/Society of 1906

The white coat is a symbol of a physician’s contributions, sacrifice, and scientific approach to medicine.  It is a unifying symbol of the Physicians commitment to delivering care in a professional, caring, honest, and trusting way which our patients seek every day.  White coats are presented by Avita Physicians to individual donors and organizations symbolizing that we stand together with our most significant supporters of the Avita Health Foundation and Avita Health System, in our continued efforts to build Avita into the strongest, patient centered, comprehensive healthcare organization in our region.

President’s Circle

President’s Circle recognition is presented to those individuals and organizations who’s lifetime grant making, philanthropic, or sponsorships commitments in support of Avita Health System: Avita Bucyrus, Avita Galion, Avita Ontario – exceeds $100,000.

Members

*deceased

Leader’s Circle

Leader’s Circle recognition is presented to those individuals and organizations whose lifetime grant making, philanthropic, or sponsorship commitments in support of Avita Health System (Avita Bucyrus, Avita Galion, Avita Ontario) exceeds $25,000.

Members

*deceased

Green Diamond Legacy

Green Diamond Legacy recognizes and celebrates the generosity of friends and supporters who have made an estate, endowed, or other planned gift to Avita. 

You can become a member through one of more of the following gift options:

• Name Avita as a beneficiary in your will or trust
• Establish a life-income gift with Avita, such as a charitable gift annuity
• Create a deferred gift arrangement naming Avita as the beneficiary
• Create, designate, or transfer your life insurance policy to Avita
• Designate retirement plan assets or make a direct distribution from your IRA to Avita
• Establish an endowed position, lecture or named fund at Avita
• Recommend a distribution of the remainder of your donor advised fund to Avita or name Avita as your successor advisor
• Gift the remainder interest in your home or farm to Avita

When you complete your estate plans, please consider filling out our Green Diamond Legacy communication form below to let us know. To show our appreciation and gratitude, we welcome you into our Green Diamond Legacy.

Membership Benefits:

• You become a lifetime member of the Society of 1906.
• Your membership allows us to thank you and recognize you for the plans you have made, and it may inspire generosity in others.
• Receive immediate visual recognition for commitments or promise to contribute.
• The most important benefit you will receive from joining the Green Diamond Legacy is the feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction from making a lasting contribution to our long-term success of Avita Health System and our mission to improve the health and well-being of all the patients we serve in our community for generations to come. 

If you have any questions, please contact our Chief Development Officer, Chuck Cangelosi, at 419-468-0566 or ccangelosi@avitahs.org.

Communication Form

Esteemed Physician Award for Community Impact

The Esteemed Physician Award is given to the physician who consistently achieves high standards in the practice of medicine, is looked upon as a role model by his or her colleagues, patients, and peers, and demonstrates commitment to community. This award is open to all physicians associated with Avita Health System.

Evaluation Criteria:

1. 5 years or longer in Avita Health System
2. Can nominate Physicians retired or posthumously
3. Community involvement
4. Leadership and collaboration
5. Outcomes and quality
6. Clinical skills and innovation

Make your nomination now.

2025 Esteemed Physician Award Recipient

Avita Health Foundation is honored to announce Dr. James Kerbs as the recipient of the 2025 Esteemed Physician Award, recognizing his unwavering dedication to patient care, community service, and philanthropy. After completing his residency at The Ohio State University School of Medicine in 1992, Dr. Kerbs established a remarkable career in Galion, where he transformed Galion orthopedics into a leading practice and built a state-of-the-art facility that stands as a testament to his long-standing commitment to the community.

Though originally from California and a graduate of Loma Linda University, Dr. Kerbs has spent over three decades serving the people of Galion. His nominators consistently praise him as a cornerstone of support for both patients and families, as well as a compassionate mentor and leader. He is especially respected for providing comprehensive, personalized care and often going the extra mile for his patients.

Beyond his expertise as a surgeon with thousands of successful procedures to his name, Dr. Kerbs is also recognized for his leadership and dedication. From past roles as Chief of Staff, Chief of Surgery, and Chair of the Medical Executive Committee, to his work on the Galion Hospital Board of Directors and his community involvement in initiatives like the ‘Moving Hearts & Souls 5K’ in honor of his mentor Dr. Theodore Ebner, and the Allied Health Scholarships. Dr. Kerbs, along with his wife Dr. Jill Kerbs, have made an enduring impact on the Galion community.

Visionary Award

The Visionary Award pays tribute to the recipient’s exceptional generosity, dedication, hospitality, and civic vision. The award recognizes one or more benefactors who contribute outstanding commitment, leadership, ambassadorship, and generosity on behalf of our patients and their families, the people of Avita Health System, and the communities we serve. The Visionary Award recipient personifies humanity, compassion, and the essence of philanthropy and inspires others to help advance the Mission of Avita Health System and the Avita Health Foundation.

Make your nomination now.

2023 Visionary Award Recipient

The Visionary Award is the highest honor bestowed upon a benefactor of Avita Health System, celebrating exceptional generosity, leadership, and civic dedication. This year, Avita Health Foundation and Society of 1906 presented this prestigious award to Matt and Linda Smith of Mansfield, Ohio.

As incredible philanthropists and longtime volunteers, the Smiths have left an indelible mark on our community, serving with passion for over four decades. “Linda brings an incredible understanding of our community, amazing leadership skills, and integrity-driven decisions to the table,” said Jerry Morasko, President & CEO of Avita Health System. “She has been invaluable to our board since 2014, and together with Matt, their service to our patients and the community is unparalleled.”

Following in the footsteps of a legacy of giving, Matt and Linda have supported numerous causes across Crawford and Richland counties, including the local Kiwanis, Boy Scouts, Red Cross, YMCAs, Richland County Foundation, and North Central State College. Their profound generosity to Avita Health Foundation and their hands-on approach to leadership make them true visionaries, inspiring us all to better serve our community.

Esteemed Physician Award Honorary or Posthumously

The Esteemed Physician Award (Honorary or Posthumously) is presented to a retired physician or the family of a physician who demonstrated high standards in the practice of medicine, was looked upon as a role model by their colleagues, patients, and peers, demonstrated commitment to community, and is/was philanthropic to the Avita Health Foundation (Bucyrus or Galion Foundation). This award is open to all former physicians associated with Avita Health System (Bucyrus or Galion Hospitals).

Evaluation Criteria:

1. 5 years or longer in practice within Avita Health System
2. Retired or Deceased
3. Community Involvement
4. Leadership and Collaboration
5. Outcomes and Quality
6. Community Outreach and Philanthropic Support

2023 Esteemed Physician Award Recipients
(Honorary or Posthumously)

Avita Health Foundation proudly announces the 2025 Esteemed Physician Award, presented posthumously to Dr. Wilbur Carlisle (April 6, 1888 – December 9, 1969). Dr. Carlisle was born in Hillsboro, Ohio in 1888. His link to Bucyrus materialized when, while attending college at Ohio Wesleyan University from 1905-1909, he met his future wife, Bucyrian Edith Chesney, the daughter of Bucyrus physician, John Chesney, MD.

Following active military duty, and a very brief return to Johns Hopkins for some additional medical training, Dr. Carlisle returned to Bucyrus in March 1919, where he remained for the following 50 years. During that time, he maintained a full-time general medical practice with staff privileges at Monnett Hospital (later Bucyrus City and then Community Hospital), working alongside Dr. William Gates, the namesake of the Society of 1906, and also serving as a captain in the Ohio National Guard Medical Corps. Dr. Carlisle also served as city health commissioner, member and later president of the Bucyrus Board of Education, a local bank vice president, and was an active member of and officeholder in, multiple Bucyrus fraternal organizations and the local YMCA.

Toward the end of that long period of Dr. Carlisle’s service to his community, he was honored by having a local elementary school building named for him in 1956, and in 1960 he was bestowed upon by his college alma mater a distinguished citizenship award and by the local Kiwanians with a distinguished service award.  He also served as co-chief of staff with Dr. Robert Solt through an expansion of Bucyrus Hospital in early 1960s before his retirement.  Dr. Carlisle’s wife, Edith, preceded him in death in 1963, but not before she too had contributed much to her community, having served on the Board of Lady Managers at Bucyrus Hospital for over 20 years.

Avita Health Foundation proudly announces the 2025 Esteemed Physician Award, presented posthumously to Dr. Theodore Ebner (October 18, 1942 – July 8, 2006), a titan of orthopedic care who set the highest standards for medical excellence, peer leadership, and compassionate community service. For 32 years, Dr. Ebner served the Galion, Crestline, and Bucyrus communities, embodying a life of profound dedication and service to others. A proud graduate of Lima Central Catholic and a top-of-his-class graduate from The Ohio State University College of Medicine, he brought unmatched dedication to his craft.

As a pioneering orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Ebner brought advanced care to the local community, teaming with Dr. Pabst to introduce arthroscopic surgery to Galion Hospital. This innovation eliminated the necessity for residents to travel to Columbus or Mansfield for treatment. Patients often referred to Dr. Ebner and Dr. Pabst as the ‘dynamic duo’ of orthopedic surgery.

Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Ebner served in key leadership roles, including chief of staff and surgery director at Galion Hospital, where he also held a seat on the board of directors. Known for his “heart of gold,” he was a substantial donor to the Traditions of Caring Campaign, which funded the hospital’s new emergency room and ICU.  Dr. Ebner’s impact continues through the Moving Hearts and Soles 5K, a race championed by Dr. Kerbs 16 years ago. The event, which annually hosts about 250 participants and volunteers, has raised over $120,000 to support more than 100 college students pursuing degrees in Allied Health.

Nominate an Esteemed Physician or Visionary

Society of 1906 Recognition Evening

Avita Health Foundation’s 6^th Annual Celebration of the Society of 1906, which honored its most generous donors, grant-makers, and sponsors, gathered on April 8, 2026, at the historic Galion Community Theatre. Foundation Board Chair, Matt Horn, and the Chief Development Officer, Chuck Cangelosi, thanked all 2025 benefactors and lifetime members for their contributions throughout the year. This generous support allowed the Foundation’s Board of Directors to approve disbursements of more than $2 million to Avita Health System. 

The Foundation recognized Dr. James Kerbs with the 2025 Esteemed Physician Award and Drs. Wilbur Carlisle and Theodore Ebner as Esteemed Physicians posthumously. Matt and Linda Smith of Mansfield were honored as the Dr. William C. Gates Visionary Award recipients in honor of their decades of volunteerism and lifetime cumulative contributions to Avita and the community. 

Tribute videos of the recipients on the theatre’s big screen highlighted the recognition portion of the ceremony and created a celebratory and fun environment for the evening. If you like, you can make a secure, online contribution in honor of our 2025 Visionary and Esteemed Physician award recipients.

April 8, 2026 Event Gallery from Galion Community Theatre

View our gallery of candid photos from the event.

(Click photos to view full size.)

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Past Award Recipients

2023

Esteemed Physician Award
for Community Impact

Visionary Award

Esteemed Physician Award
(Honorary or Posthumously)

2022

Esteemed Physician Award
for Community Impact

Visionary Award

Esteemed Physician Award
(Honorary or Posthumously)

2021

Esteemed Physician Award
for Community Impact

Visionary Award

Esteemed Physician Award
(Honorary or Posthumously)

2020

Esteemed Physician Award
for Community Impact

Visionary Award

Esteemed Physician Award
(Honorary or Posthumously)

2019

Esteemed Physician Award
for Community Impact

Visionary Award