Former longtime Whidbey Island Sebo’s Do-it-Center owner Bob Sebo returned to Whidbey Island for the opening of a new center at WhidbeyHealth in Coupeville.

Sebo was welcomed to WhidbeyHealth Medical Center’s open house event on Nov. 10. His wife was unable to make the trip.

Sebo traveled from his current home in Reno, Nev. to cut a ceremonial ribbon on the newly completed Robert and June Sebo Health Education Center. He was accompanied by his children, Rob Sebo and Val Sem.

“The thing I hope for most with this new wing and Health Education Center is that our community will embrace this hospital as truly their own, knowing it was meant for them,” Sebo said before cutting the ribbon.

Helen Taylor, executive director for the WhidbeyHealth Foundation, introduced Sebo to about 100 attendees.

“More than 10 years ago, Bob and June gifted this community with the first digital mammography machine on Whidbey Island,” Taylor said. “Who knows how many cancer journeys were made shorter, easier and more successful with access to this technology?”

“These class and conference rooms will be a vital resource for patients, caregivers, community members and staff to gather and learn, and to share that wealth of knowledge with all of Whidbey Island,” Taylor said.

“The Health Education Center is very much a part of our foundation’s mission to fund and advocate for keeping this community healthy,” said foundation board President Bonnie Abney. “We can’t say thank you enough.”

The Health Education Center will be available for public use starting Jan. 1. When a meeting room is not in use by WhidbeyHealth staff, the rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis to health care-related entities in the community 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Meeting rooms may be reserved by calling administration staff at 360-678-7656, ext. 4001.