The Smittcamp family has a long-standing history of involvement across the Central Valley. Their roots in the region began on a 200-acre farm, which included 40 acres of peach trees. This marked the start of a multi-generational legacy in agriculture that provides a bountiful harvest for the Valley they call home. The latest project continuing this family legacy is largely thanks to Brent Smittcamp, who is carrying on the work of his father, Bob, and his dream to have the premier neuroscience center in the Valley.

In addition to running a number of successful businesses, Bob was also a well-known philanthropist who realized the value of supporting his community. He donated generously to many causes, hospitals, universities, non-profits and educational institutions in the San Joaquin Valley. He was always ready, willing and able to mentor anyone who looked to learn from his experience and wisdom.

In 1995, Brent began working for his grandfather, Earl, at Wawona Packing and Bob saw early on that Brent had the desire and ability to carry on the Smittcamp standards of hard work, dedication and excellence that had been instilled in him. Over the next 17 years, Bob and Brent built Wawona Packing to be one of the largest and most successful tree fruit packing companies in the world, farming over 8,000 acres and selling fresh tree fruit nationally and internationally.

Hard work, integrity and innovation are at the core of the Smittcamp family’s principles. These principles and philosophies have been passed down through generations. “My father, Bob, had a tireless work ethic, great business acumen, uncompromising integrity and always preached the importance of giving back to the community.” Brent, too, leads by example. “My role, like many others, is to give back to our community and leave it in a better place for my kids and future generations,” he believes.

Like his father and grandfather, Brent strives to uphold these philanthropic principles by continuously learning, improving and cultivating meaningful relationships. This begins with a genuine concern for the community. “My father always adhered to the ‘if there’s a problem, find a solution’ philosophy. Unfortunately,” Brent admits, “here in the Central Valley, there was an obvious gap in the quality of neuroscience care. His vision was to build a world-class facility to bring all aspects of neuro care under one roof. He thought this would be a great resource to attract and retain top doctors and surgeons from across the country.”

In 2018, Bob laid the financial foundation to address this growing need with an $11 million donation to advance neuroscience care at Community Health System and better his community. Named in his honor, the Bob Smittcamp Family Neurosciences Institute is set to become the premier destination for neuroscience care between San Francisco and Los Angeles. By championing the development of this leading center in his hometown, Brent, like his father, is ensuring that state-of-the-art treatment is readily accessible to friends, family and neighbors.

Today, Brent is committed to making that vision a reality. Once completed, the Bob Smittcamp Family Neurosciences Institute will serve as a one-stop-shop on the Community Regional Medical Center campus, located next to the region’s only Level I Trauma Center. The facility will offer most outpatient neuroscience services in one location, allowing patients to visit their care team and receive treatments in the same space.

Local neuro care is important to Brent for many reasons. “A new neuroscience center will help recruit top neurological doctors and surgeons, expedite long wait times and house all neurology and neuroscience clinics, neuro rehab, physical and occupational therapy and diagnostics, all in one place. Once this project is completed, Central Valley residents won’t have to travel to LA or the Bay Area for quality neuro care.”

“I hope that the Smittcamp legacy will continue from generation to generation...”

This need hits close to home. “My cousin had a serious aneurysm, and I had an industrial accident at my packing facility,” he reveals. “In both cases, we had to seek care outside of the Valley. Fortunately, we had the means and resources to do that. However, my father wanted first-class neuro care for every person that lives in our community.”

After Bob passed away in March 2021, a fundraising committee was formed to support Brent’s efforts to continue his father’s vision. The committee, comprised of local philanthropists Melissa Der Manouel, Matty Matoian and Craig Saladino, has raised over $18 million, thanks to Brent’s leadership and the support of Community’s Office of Philanthropy.

However, Brent points out, “We need another $7 million to begin construction and an additional $5 million to complete the project. With the current momentum and the support of residents across the Valley, I’m hopeful we can hit our goal by the end of the year. That would allow us to open the institute in 2026.”

Of all the causes out there, Brent is eager to support this one for several reasons. “First and foremost,” he begins, “I would like to get my father’s vision to the finish line. Second, with a community of our size, we should have accessible, quality neuro care for all our residents.”

“Lastly, most people don’t realize how many injuries and disorders fall under the neuro care umbrella,” Brent emphasizes. “In fact, I think it’s important to draw attention to them. They include Alzheimer’s, cognitive/behavioral disorders, concussions, dementia, epilepsy, headaches/migraines, movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, stroke and many more. This list doesn’t even include various neurological injuries and trauma.”

Community Health System supports a five-county service area, home to roughly two million people. Until a few years ago, Community had only 10 to 15 neuroscience physicians, but today it boasts more than 90 neuroscience providers. This number continues to grow under the leadership of Dr. Ian Johnson, who heads Community’s neurosciences program. Because of this concerted effort, Community can offer nearly every sub-specialty within neurosciences locally—a passion shared by both Bob and Brent.

“I’ve been extremely impressed with the team that Community has assembled,” Brent says, “Dr. Ian Johnson, medical director of neurosciences, has done an incredible job recruiting topflight doctors from across the United States. He’s done this in a relatively short amount of time, and a new, dedicated neurosciences center should only help these efforts. The hospital, along with the board, is committed to making this project a priority.”

Brent’s family is well-known for their generosity and investment in the community they call home—from his grandfather, Earl, to his father, Bob, and now to him. “I hope that the Smittcamp legacy will continue from generation to generation, encompassing the values of my grandparents, my parents and all my aunts and uncles. Giving back to those less fortunate and to a community that has been very good to our entire family,” he professes. Brent is instilling these values in his two children. Hard-working, intuitive and principled, Brent embodies the qualities of a change-maker, and the Central Valley is a better place because of him.

Editorial Director Lauren Barisic
Photographer Don Dizon
Stylist Pat Mon Pere
Wardrobe provided by Patrick James