“We offer children a life-changing opportunity by providing high-quality medical care so they are free to fully experience the normal childhood adventures of camp…and the joys and self-worth often discovered there.” — Dr. Wendy Cook, Former Medical Director

Our full-time medical staff is comprised of a Medical Director, Nursing Director, and four pediatric nurses. They will be joined each week by additional pediatric specialty physicians, nurses, social workers, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and other healthcare personnel who specialize in the medical condition of the children attending the camp that week.

The medical presence at The Painted Turtle is around-the-clock, unobtrusive, warm, and friendly. Our doctors and nurses are actively involved in the camp activities with the kids.

Dr. Ben Meisel, Medical Director
Ben Meisel, M.D. FAAP, received his undergraduate degree from Stanford University, attended Medical school at University of Pennsylvania and completed his Pediatric Residency at University of California at San Francisco.  Ben came to The Painted Turtle after 3 years as a pediatrician with the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and as staff at the Lompoc District Hospital.  He spent the summers of 1995-1998 at Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Connecticut where he received rave reviews from the medical team and campers alike.  As medical director at The Painted Turtle, Ben is now realizing his dream to bring the experience of childhood to children and families otherwise encumbered by serious medical illnesses.

Beth Vandenbogaart, Nurse Manager
Beth has worked clinically for 19 years as a Registered Nurse specializing in critical care. Her areas of specialty have been primarily adult and pediatric cardiothoracic surgery, pediatric/neonatal transport, and pediatric liver transplant coordination at UCLA Medical Center. Beth received her nursing training at Mohawk College in Canada and went on to complete her BSN and PHN certification at CSUDH. Beth fondly remembers her childhood summers spent as a camper, which led to volunteering as a camp counselor prior to her nursing career. She believes that camp is a magical place that all children should have the opportunity to experience and that being a nurse is simply an honor and privilege in caring for others!

Margaret Davis, Recruitment Coordinator
Margaret previously served as Director of Programs for the National Kidney Foundation of Southern California. In addition to providing information and referral services, programs, and public and patient education to those affected by kidney disease, she coordinated three summer camp sessions for pediatric kidney patients and year-round family camps for adults and children. Being involved in the process that enables children with medical conditions to have a wonderful camp experience is especially rewarding, and she is honored to continue that work as Camper Recruitment Director for The Painted Turtle.