Congratulations to Cindy, ACHF’s latest Distinguished Service Award Recipient!
On October 10th, Ashland Community Health Foundation announced its 2022 Distinguished Service Award recipient – Cindy Bernard – at a special gathering at the ACHF office. After a prolonged period of keeping the news under wraps, the 2021 DSA recipient, Karen Drescher, happily presented the award to Cindy.
Cindy has been a resident of Ashland for over 30 years, following her parents and siblings from the Chicago area. Soon after arriving in Ashland, Cindy began volunteering for many community organizations. She served on the boards of the Ashland Family YMCA, Mt. Ashland Racing Association, Ashland High Ski & Snowboard team, and Ashland Chamber of Commerce, serving two years as president. She was also a long-time volunteer with the Ashland Independent Film Festival.
Cindy has a long and impressive history with our foundation. She was first introduced to ACHF by her parents, Dick and Jean, who were role models for generosity and community service. Both were long-time supporters of the foundation and were honored with a Distinguished Service Award in 2006 for their exceptional contributions to Ashland Community Hospital and the broader community. Cindy’s brother, Dave, was also a Distinguished Service Award recipient in 2008 for his volunteer involvement throughout Ashland.
Cindy began supporting our work in 1995 as an avid gala attendee and has fond memories of family gatherings before and after the event. She joined the foundation’s board of directors in 2019 when she decided it was her turn to continue her family’s legacy of board service. During her tenure, she has served on the Asset Management Committee, Development Committee, and the Executive Committee.
Cindy jumped in with both feet, becoming vice president in 2020 and president in 2021. She is currently serving an unprecedented third year as president and will retire from that role at the end of this year. Since that time, Cindy has shown exceptional dedication and leadership to our organization as she worked alongside board members and staff to chart a new direction for our foundation. She was instrumental in expanding our mission and creating new opportunities for ACHF, and our donors, to make a positive impact in Ashland, Talent, and Phoenix.
The Distinguished Service Award is presented to individuals when their service to the community through our foundation has been clearly distinguished by length, intensity, devotion, and significant accomplishment. The foundation has a special place in their hearts, and their work has resulted in significant accomplishments for ACHF and its mission. Congratulations to Cindy for this well-deserved honor!