Giving Back Through the Generations

Three generations of one East Bay family have trusted John Muir Health with their lives—and in return, they’ve given back so that others can do the same.

For Bill and Trudy Ausfahl, it all began in the mid-1960s when a family car accident made them some of our hospital’s very first patients. What could have had serious consequences instead became the start of a lifelong bond built on gratitude.

Their generosity runs deep. Bill’s parents were among the first donors to support the creation of John Muir Memorial Hospital—now the John Muir Health Walnut Creek Medical Center. Their foresight ensured that families across the East Bay had a trusted hospital close to home, something Bill and Trudy experienced firsthand that day.

While living outside of John Muir Health’s service area decades ago, the Ausfahls’ young son was treated for a life-threatening condition. When they later moved to this community, they wanted to make certain that local families had access to the same level of specialized care close to home. Their generosity helped bring pediatric intensive care services to John Muir Health, strengthening lifesaving care for our youngest patients. 

And most recently, when Bill faced a serious heart rhythm disorder, he again turned to John Muir Health. With the expertise of Dr. Anurag Gupta and our nationally recognized Cardiovascular Services team, Bill returned to the activities he enjoys most.

“At John Muir Health, our goal is not just to treat heart rhythm disorders, but to help patients live with confidence and peace of mind,” says Dr. Gupta. “Seeing our patients return to the lives they love is what inspires our work every day.”

“From the very beginning, John Muir Health has been about service and quality,” Bill shares. “We’ve never had a bad experience. We feel blessed to have such a trusted health care system right here in our community.”

Even after Trudy’s passing, the spirit of generosity she and Bill instilled remains a model for their children and grandchildren. Their story reminds us that giving back can change not only lives, but generations.