What Happened to Grossman Burn Foundation?
The Grossman Burn Foundation (GBF) is a non-profit organization established in 2007 as the philanthropic arm of the renowned Grossman Burn Centers. It focuses on providing comprehensive burn care, prevention education, and support for burn survivors globally, particularly those without means to access quality healthcare. While continuing its humanitarian efforts, the foundation has navigated public attention due to legal issues involving co-founder Rebecca Grossman and the recent closure of one of its affiliated burn centers in Bakersfield in June 2026.
Quick Answer
The Grossman Burn Foundation (GBF) continues its mission to support burn survivors worldwide through various programs, including Project Faith and initiatives to combat violence against women. Founded in 2007 by Dr. Peter H. Grossman and Rebecca Grossman, the foundation works to provide burn prevention education and facilitate access to advanced medical care. However, its co-founder, Rebecca Grossman, has faced significant legal challenges, and the Grossman Burn Center in Bakersfield, a key affiliated medical facility, closed in June 2026 due to financial sustainability issues, impacting local burn care access.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Grossman Burn Center Founded
Dr. A. Richard Grossman, father of Dr. Peter H. Grossman, established the first Grossman Burn Center at Sherman Oaks Community Hospital, pioneering comprehensive burn treatment.
Grossman Burn Foundation Established
The Grossman Burn Foundation (GBF) was founded by Dr. Peter H. Grossman and Rebecca Grossman as the philanthropic arm of the Grossman Burn Centers, focusing on global outreach and support for burn survivors.
Project Faith Launched
GBF launched 'Project Faith,' its comprehensive burn care and treatment program, named after Faith Wanjugo, the first patient to receive assistance from the foundation.
Bibi Aisha Case Gains International Attention
The GBF brought Bibi Aisha, a young Afghan woman who suffered severe facial mutilation, to the U.S. for reconstructive surgery, gaining significant media attention and highlighting the foundation's international work.
Dr. A. Richard Grossman Passes Away
Dr. A. Richard Grossman, the visionary founder of the Grossman Burn Centers, passed away at the age of 81, leaving a legacy of pioneering burn treatment.
Rebecca Grossman Involved in Fatal Crash
Rebecca Grossman, co-founder of the GBF, was involved in a hit-and-run crash in Westlake Village, California, that resulted in the deaths of two young brothers.
Rebecca Grossman Charged with Murder
Rebecca Grossman was formally charged with two counts of murder, two counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death. She pleaded not guilty.
Wound Care Backpack Initiative Launched
The Grossman Burn Foundation expanded its Project Faith program by launching a Wound Care Backpack initiative to provide essential supplies and support for burn survivors discharged without means for follow-up care.
Bakersfield Burn Center Closure Announced
Dignity Health Memorial Hospital announced that the Grossman Burn Center at its Bakersfield facility would close in June 2026, citing financial sustainability as the reason.
Continued Support for International Patients
The GBF highlighted its ongoing efforts in 2026, including facilitating life-changing medical care for Indonesian burn survivors Suci and Tison in Bakersfield, with Dr. Peter Grossman providing in-kind surgeries.
Community Rallies Against Bakersfield Closure
Community members and nurses gathered at Dignity Health Memorial Hospital to protest the impending closure of the Bakersfield Grossman Burn Center, expressing concerns about the loss of specialized local care.
Rebecca Grossman Trial: Liability Phase Concludes
Jurors in the wrongful death lawsuit against Rebecca Grossman awarded the Iskander family $176 million in the liability phase of the trial.
Rebecca Grossman Trial: Punitive Damages Phase
The punitive damages phase of Rebecca Grossman's trial began, with testimony from a former financial controller of the Grossman Burn Foundation and a California Highway Patrol officer.
Bakersfield Burn Center Closes
The Grossman Burn Center at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital officially ceased operations, leaving Kern County without a dedicated burn treatment facility.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Grossman Burn Foundation (GBF) was established in 2007 by Dr. Peter H. Grossman, Director of the Grossman Burn Centers, Inc., and his wife, Rebecca Grossman, as the philanthropic arm of the internationally recognized Grossman Burn Centers. Its core mission is to promote sustainable solutions for the comprehensive treatment, care, and support of burn survivors and their families, both in the United States and globally. The foundation focuses on building local capacity through global partnerships, providing burn prevention education, and creating self-sustainable burn treatment communities.
Inspired by the legacy of Dr. A. Richard Grossman, who founded the first Grossman Burn Center in 1969 and pioneered innovative burn treatment techniques, the GBF has undertaken several key initiatives. These include 'Project Faith,' which provides essential wound care and recovery resources, and the 'Stop Violence Against Women' program, offering medical care and support to survivors of gender-based violence, including acid attacks. The foundation gained international recognition for its work with patients like Bibi Aisha in 2010, bringing her to the U.S. for reconstructive surgery.
A significant turning point for the foundation's public image occurred in September 2020 when co-founder Rebecca Grossman was charged with murder and vehicular manslaughter following a hit-and-run crash that killed two young brothers in Westlake Village, California. She pleaded not guilty, and the legal proceedings have been ongoing. In June 2026, the punitive damages phase of the Iskanders' wrongful death lawsuit trial against Rebecca Grossman was underway, with testimony from a former financial controller of the Grossman Burn Foundation and a California Highway Patrol officer.
Further impacting the broader Grossman burn care network, the Grossman Burn Center at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital announced its closure in February 2026, with operations ceasing in June 2026. Dignity Health, the hospital operator, cited financial sustainability as the reason for not renewing its contract with the Grossman Center. This closure was met with significant community concern, as it eliminated the only specialized burn care facility in Kern County, forcing patients to travel long distances for treatment.
Despite these challenges, the Grossman Burn Foundation continues its humanitarian work as of August 2026. It remains active in supporting burn survivors, facilitating complex surgeries for international patients like Suci and Tison from Indonesia, and providing ongoing care for individuals such as Kechi Okwuchi. Dr. Peter H. Grossman continues to lead the medical efforts, often providing in-kind surgeries. The foundation's financial data for 2024 showed total revenues of $242,836 and assets of $413,092, indicating ongoing operations and grant-making activities.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Grossman Burn Foundation made different choices?