John Randolph and Dr Mark Ellis Memorial Dinner 2026

John Randolph and Dr. Mark Ellis Memorial Dinner

For more than 30 years, Bobby and Patti Dwyer have led the John Randolph and Dr. Mark Ellis Memorial Dinner which raises vital support for cancer care in the Williamsburg area. Their dedication to philanthropy drives progress at Riverside and helps ensure access to comprehensive, groundbreaking care for those in need.

See event photos here.
Please note this Google Photos album will not open on a Riverside Network.

A group of four people, two men and two women, smiling in a warmly lit banquet hall with elegantly set tables. The atmosphere is celebratory and formal. A group of ten people dressed in formal attire stand together in a brightly lit room on a patterned carpet, smiling warmly for the camera.

Impact of Donations Shown Through Video

The night’s video shared the story of Hunt Whitbeck, a cancer survivor who showed his gratitude to the wonderful Dr. Miller by giving to the Riverside Foundation.

A lively banquet scene with a woman smiling and resting her hand on a man's shoulder. Both are seated among elegantly set tables and attentive guests. A cheerful man in a suit and yellow tie stands beside a smiling woman in a striped dress at an indoor event with blue curtains and warm lighting.

Mr. Whitbeck says of Dr. Miller, “His thoughtful, cheerful manner and medical expertise has made my difficult journey upbeat and successful.” The Whitbeck’s most recent gift to the Riverside Foundation will purchase two AccuVein systems which allow care teams to ‘see’ inside of a patient’s body so they can make better-informed decisions, improve needle placement and enhance patient care for those needing needle sticks.

Mr. Whitbeck and his wife Katherine were inspired to give to the Riverside Foundation in honor of Dr. Miller, saying “We have and will continue to support the Riverside Foundation in appreciation for the exceptional care given to me by Dr. Miller and his remarkable staff.”

Local Williamsburg Restaurants Shine

The heart of the evening was a beautifully prepared four-course gourmet meal created by local chefs. Each course was more than a culinary experience—it was a gift of time, talent and compassion, reflecting the shared commitment of our community to stand together in the fight against cancer.

Three chefs wearing white uniforms stand smiling against a blue curtain backdrop. The mood is professional and celebratory.

Appetizer - Opus 9 - Executive Chef Jacob Mitchell
Chilled poached salmon on a chilled wild rice salad with pickled beets & beet gastrique

Salad - Kingsmill Resort - Executive Chef Micheal Gregory
Array of baby greens, Roma tomatoes, grilled asparagus, local goat cheese, Belgian endive, red onion, shallot lemon vinaigrette

Entrée - Colonial Williamsburg - Chef Justin Padgett
Braised beef cheek, roasted garlic, mashed potatoes, maple glazed root vegetable medley, Maderia jus

Dessert - Two Rivers Country Club - Executive Chef Toni Rizzo
Decadent dark chocolate tart with candied almonds and Driscoll’s strawberries

Cancer Care at Riverside Health

As a not-for-profit health care system, we never turn anyone away due to their inability to pay. Our patient’s cancer care journeys are guided by an extraordinary team of physicians, nurses and care teams whose expertise, compassion and commitment define what exceptional care truly means.

This evening raised vital support for patient assistance initiative that:

Reduce barriers to care
Address physical, emotional and psychological needs of patient and families
Advance innovations that enable our care teams to continue delivering leading-edge cancer treatment with humanity and hope

Riverside sees 2,500 new cancer patients each year, and we’re seeing that number increase about 5% year over year. This growing need underscores the importance of our work and the critical role our donors play in supporting our efforts.

Dr. Mark E. Ellis Endowment Fund for Cancer Care Advancement

Riverside's Therapeutic and Supportive Services include Integrative Therapies. Introduced by Dr. Mark Ellis in 2005, evidence-based complementary therapies are combined with leading-edge cancer treatment to focus care on the whole person - body, mind and spirit - not just their disease.

Every dollar raised impacts this community, providing vital patient assistance, supporting research and clinical trials, easing financial burdens and removing barriers to care so individuals can focus on healing. Donations also sustain Dr. Ellis’s visionary holistic care programs, which nurture not only the body, but the mind and spirit as well, bringing hope to today’s patients and tomorrow’s breakthroughs. This special evening was a heartfelt tribute to his and John Randolph’s lasting impact and a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together to battle this disease.

Tree of Life Cancer Care Fund

In addition to the Dr. Mark E. Ellis Endowment Fund for Cancer Care Advancement, funds raised from the evening also support The Tree of Life Cancer Care Fund. This fund supports the unmet needs of our patients such as medications, and provides resources for screenings, community education and cancer prevention programs. Gifts to this fund also immediately impact our ability to provide and expand integrative therapies and care coordination for the benefit of the thousands of patients we care for each year.

A Night to Remember Williamsburg’s Best