The Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation hosted “the party of the year” on March 8, as more than 500 guests in black ties, ball gowns and tiaras gathered at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara for the annual Tiara Ball.
The sold-out gala raised an impressive $730,000 for emergency, trauma and critical care services at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, including the emergency department, trauma services, medical and surgical intensive care, and pediatric and neonatal intensive care units.
The elegant evening began with a cocktail reception where guests mingled both inside and outside while photographers Baron Spafford and Ingrid Bostrom captured the festivities.
Passed hors d’oeuvres and flowing conversation set the tone for what would be a memorable night of philanthropy and celebration.
At 7 p.m., Cottage surgical residents posed for their annual photograph on the winding staircase before guests entered the ballroom for the big reveal.
Event designer Gina Andrews of Bon Fortune Events transformed the space with fuchsia floral centerpieces, black sequin tablecloths and gold accents, drawing audible gasps of appreciation from attendees as they entered.
The Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation’s Tiara Ball committee was led by co-chairwomen Heather Hambleton and Lisa Iscovich with fellow volunteers Gina Andrews, Katy Bazylewicz, Andrew Brown, Allison LaBarge, Mari McAlister, Sue Neuman, Alex Nourse, Cathy Quijano, Esther Takacs, Betsy Turner, Mary Werft and Margaret Wilkinson. Credit: Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation photo 
Cottage Health president and CEO Ron Werft is retiring this year after 38 years at the helm. Credit: Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation photo 
The Tiara Ball’s special honorees were Mary and Ron Werft, who were celebrated for their longtime leadership and service to Cottage Health and the Tiara Ball. Credit: Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation photo 
Kyle McKittrick, left, and his brother, Marc. A quadriplegic and aspiring 2028 Paralympic Games athlete, McKittrick and his post-motorcycle crash patient journey at Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital were featured at the gala. Credit: Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation photo 
Naomi and Ben Bollag were the Tiara Ball’s Diamond Sponsors. Credit: Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation photo 
Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital’s Ben and Naomi Bollag Emergency Trauma Center was made possible through the generosity of the Bollag family. Credit: Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation photo
A large orchestra with vocalists from Ben Mallare Events & Entertainment provided live music throughout the evening, keeping the energy high and dance floor packed until late into the night.
The program featured heartfelt remarks from event co-chairwomen Heather Hambleton and Lisa Iscovich; Cottage Health board chairman Eric Seale; Dr. Anne Rodriguez, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital’s chief of staff; and retiring Cottage Health president and CEO Ron Werft.
Their messages reinforced the crucial role of community support in maintaining exceptional health care services for the Central Coast.
The night’s special honorees were Werft and his wife, Mary, who were celebrated for their leadership and service to Cottage Health and the Tiara Ball.
As Werft prepares to retire after 38 years with Cottage Health — the last 25 as president and CEO — he expressed heartfelt appreciation for the Cottage team and community supporters whose generosity and partnership have strengthened health care throughout the region.
The Werfts received a special gift — a digital photo frame featuring memories from more than two decades of Tiara Ball celebrations — to thunderous applause from grateful guests.
A powerful video presentation showcased Kyle McKittrick’s journey after a traumatic motorcycle crash left him paralyzed with a spinal injury.
McKittrick’s account of his emergency care and recovery highlighted the ball’s significance, with many of his Cottage caregivers present in the ballroom.
Now a volunteer at Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital, where he coaches children in wheelchair rugby at its annual junior wheelchair sports camp at UC Santa Barbara, McKittrick is training with determination to compete in the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
The 2025 Tiara Ball’s success was made possible by generous sponsors, with Naomi and Ben Bollag returning as Diamond sponsors.
Heart sponsors included Chivaroli & Associates Insurance Services, Sandra Lynne and an anonymous donor.
Emerald sponsors were CenCal Health, Dancing Tides Foundation, Epic, Anna and David Grotenhuis, Lisa Moore, Ginger Salazar and Brett Matthews, and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.
Their support plays a vital role in strengthening emergency, trauma and critical care services, helping to ensure life-saving care is available to everyone in the community.
In addition to Hambelton and Iscovich, the gala committee was made possible by volunteers Gina Andrews, Katy Bazylewicz, Andrew Brown, Allison LaBarge, Mari McAlister, Sue Neuman, Alex Nourse, Cathy Quijano, Esther Takacs, Betsy Turner, Mary Werft and Margaret Wilkinson.
Guests enjoyed a delectable dinner featuring a sweet gem Caesar salad followed by entrée choices of seared local sea bass, porcini-crusted filet mignon or roasted eggplant.
Dessert featured Valrhona dark chocolate mousse, complemented by fine wines from Fred Brander and Fess Parker wineries, capping off an evening that truly lived up to its reputation as Santa Barbara’s premier philanthropic gala.
Click here for more information about the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation. Click here to make an online donation.
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