Research. Innovation. Community Care. 

At Hoag, agility meets purpose. Every novel therapy, every advance-ment, is driven by one goal—improving patients’ lives. Hoag’s priv-ademic model blends the personalized care of a community hospital with the research and training excellence of academic medicine, cre-ating an environment where innovation moves quickly and compas-sionately from lab to bedside. 
 
Patients benefit from care that is both human and high-tech. Re-search labs and clinical teams work side by side, rapidly translating discoveries into new therapies. Thanks to Hoag’s nimble infrastruc-ture, clinical trials open faster than most academic centers, giving pa-tients early access to promising treatments. Physicians and scientists have the resources and freedom to pursue bold ideas while keeping patients at the center of every breakthrough.  
 
Philanthropy makes this possible. Donors establish endowed chairs to recruit and retain top physician-leaders, fund fellowships to train tomorrow’s innovators, and support research  in life-changing treat-ments. These are just a few of the key areas where philanthropy fuels Hoag’s momentum—driving national recognition across specialties and strengthening its role as a trusted, community-rooted leader in care. 

The following pages highlight some of the people, programs, and philanthropy empowering this extraordinary momentum. 

An endowed chair is one of the highest honors Hoag can bestow on a physician. Created through donor generosity and invested in perpetuity, each chair provides lasting support for research, technology, education, and training. Rare in a community hospital setting, with the recent addition of two new chairs, Hoag has 24 endowed chairs named in honor of visionary donors—patients, philanthropists, or community leaders—whose commitment to innovation continues to shape healthcare. 
 
At Hoag, endowed chairs are catalysts for discovery, giving physician-leaders the time and resources to advance standards of care in their field. Each represents a promise: community generosity transformed into cures, enhanced services, and compassionate care.

Dr. Grossman at his endowed chair induction ceremony, support-ed by the Smith family’s generosity. With (from left) Chuck Smith, Melinda Hoag Smith, Melissa Smith, and Jeffrey Smith. 

Kenneth J. Chang, MD, MASGE, AGAF, FACG, FJGES, FAFS, James & Pamela Muzzy Executive Medical Director Endowed Chair in GI Cancer, Digestive Health Institute

Appointed last year as the inaugural chairholder, Dr. Chang is a world-renowned researcher, inventor, and advanced endoscopist—recognized for pioneering interventional endos-copy and endoscopic oncology. His work emphasizes prevention and early detection across digestive health. 

Hoag leaders celebrated with the Muzzy family and community members at an endowed chair investiture ceremony on October 22, honoring the impact of Dr. Chang’s newly established endowed chair and the philanthropy that made it possible.

In addition to seeing patients and offering innovative, lifesaving procedures at Hoag, Dr. Chang, through philanthropic partnership, is advancing a series of excellence-driven pro-grams including Heartburn & Foregut, Weight & Metabolic Health, Digestive Oncology, and IBD & Colon Health, and more. Each program strengthens Hoag’s leadership, combining specialized care, research, and education to transform digestive health outcomes.

“With this support, we are empowered to make Hoag a destination center for innovative, minimally invasive treatments in digestive health. Medicine at its best is love in action,” said Dr. Chang. “My dream is to make Orange County esophageal- and colon-cancer–free.”  

Hoag is deeply grateful to James and Pamela Muzzy for their visionary philanthropy, which continues to strengthen programs across the Digestive Health Institute and beyond. 

“For us, giving to Hoag is about supporting the people and ideas that move healthcare forward. Leaders like Dr. Chang embody that spirit, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in digestive health. We’re proud to see the next generation of our family carry on that tradition and to know that, together, we’re helping build a healthier future for everyone who calls this community home.” 

— James and Pamela Muzzy

The Hoag Hospital Foundation is honored to announce the establishment of two new endowed chairs that will expand innovation, research, and patient care across critical specialties. With these new positions, Hoag’s endowed chair program has grown to 24 chairs, one of the largest among community hospitals nationwide, reflecting the generosity of donors and the vision that drives excellence forward.   

John L. Curci Family Endowed Chair in Pain Management — Made possible through the generosity of the Curci family, this chair supports Hoag’s commitment to advancing innovative, multidisciplinary approaches to pain management—improving patient outcomes and enhancing quality of life through leading-edge care and research. Aaron Przybysz, MD, PhD, has been named the inaugural John L. Curci Family Endowed Chair in Pain Management, recognizing his leadership in advancing evidence-based and compassion-ate approaches to care.

Daniel G. Smith Endowed Chair in Addiction Medicine and Prevention — Established through the generosity of the George Hoag Family Foundation, this chair strengthens Hoag’s lead-ership in advancing prevention, treatment, and research in addiction medicine.  (Learn more on page 30.) Hoag is currently conducting a search for the inaugural chairholder.

Fellowships
The Power of Hoag’s Privademic Model

At Hoag, fellowships are engines of future innovation, preparing the next generation of physicians to advance patient-centered medicine. Philanthropy makes these programs possible, funding the training, mentorship, and research that accelerate progress. 

The programs highlighted here represent just a few of Hoag’s specialized opportunities that combine hands-on clinical experience with research and multidisciplinary collabo-ration. Across disciplines, fellowships ensure every patient benefits from the latest innovations while cultivating the physician-leaders who will define the future of medicine.

Fellowships are one of the most powerful ways endowed philanthropy shapes Hoag’s future. They attract and train the brightest minds, accelerate research and innovation, and ensure the next generation of physicians carries forward Hoag’s excellence and compassion in perpetuity.” 

— Caroline A. Pereira, MBA, President, Hoag Hospital Foundation

Advanced Endoscopy 

With funds from the James & Pamela Muzzy Executive Medical Director Endowed Chair in GI Cancer, Digestive Health Institute, Dr. Chang initiated Hoag’s Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship, laying the groundwork for its official launch in July 2025. The program has since gained additional philanthropic investment in the form of an endowment from the Muzzy family, ensuring Hoag delivers world-class care today while preparing the next generation of GI leaders. “A fellowship program keeps us on the leading edge, pushing research, innovation, and standards of care forward,” Dr. Chang explains.   

The program has positioned Hoag’s Digestive Health Institute as a center for specialized care and innovative clinical research in GI, allowing fellows to train across multiple subspecialties—including bariatrics, pancreaticobiliary disease, and other complex endoscopic procedures—un-der a faculty of five expert endoscopists.  

“Our fellows don’t just learn the basics; they pick from a menu of advanced subspecialties, from bariatric endoscopy to complex tumor resections,” says Jennifer Phan, MD, medical director of the Hoag Irvine Advanced Endoscopy Center and director of the Advanced Endoscopy Fellow-ship. 
 
Orthopedics 

Hoag Orthopedics provides a philanthropically supported fellowship program at the nationally recognized Hoag Orthopedic Institute and combines rigorous, hands-on training with research and community engagement, preparing physicians to lead in clinical excellence. 

“These physicians represent the future of orthopedic care,” says Vance Gardner, MD, medical director of Hoag Orthopedics. “Our fellowship program gives them the skills and opportunities to advance clinical excellence and improve patient outcomes in our community and beyond.”

Oncoplastic Surgery  

Hoag’s Oncoplastic Surgery Fellowship reflects our commitment to holistic, patient-centered care, where survival is paired with quality of life and well-being. The program, co-led by Sadia Khan, DO, medical director of the comprehensive breast program, and Nirav Savalia, MD, medical director of Oncoplastic & Aesthetic Breast Surgery, trains physicians in advanced techniques that integrate oncology and plastic surgery, ensuring lifesaving treatment with optimal cosmetic outcomes.  

Dr. Khan was the inaugural Muzzy Family Endowed Fellow in Oncoplastic Breast Surgery in 2015. The Muzzy endowment provides philanthropic funds to support the breast fellowship program. Dr. Khan has a on to lead the pro-gram in advanced surgical expertise in oncoplastic techniques and help advocate for the latest treatment options for breast cancer patients—training future Hoag fellows and sharing knowledge with peers nationwide.  

Palliative Medicine

Palliative care is an essential component of medicine that focuses on alleviating the symptoms, stress, and emotional challenges associated with serious illness, for both patients and their families. At Hoag, this patient-centered approach has been a cornerstone of the Palliative Care Program for 25 years, guiding families through complex medical decisions with dignity, comfort, and compassion. Recognizing the importance of cultivating future leaders in this field, Hoag partnered with UC Irvine to establish an ACGME-accredited Hospice & Palliative Medicine Fellow-ship Program.  

Launched through the generosity of the late Margaret Givan Larkin, this pioneering program trains fellows annually under the mentorship of Vincent Nguyen, DO, CMD, and Hoag’s expert team. Fellows rotate across multiple clinical sites, including Hoag, where they gain hands-on experience in holistic, team-based care that integrates medical, emotional, and spiritual support. Beyond fellow training, Hoag is committed to educating the broader medical community through standing-room-only conferences and collaborative initiatives.  

Research
The Power of Hoag’s Privademic Model

An important pillar of Hoag’s privademic model is clinical research with a commitment to giving patients access to the most innovative treatments and therapies. Across the health system, research spans multiple specialties, with philanthropy driving the growth of both clinical trials and translational programs. 

This robust infrastructure ensures that patients benefit from the latest innovations, while investigators and physician-leaders have the resources to accelerate discovery and translate breakthroughs into care, fueled by the generosity of donors. 

Research Spotlights 

Early Detection and Surveillance in Pancreatic Cancer | Hoag Family Cancer Institute 

Pancreatic cysts, often discovered incidentally, can signal the earliest stages of pancreatic cancer, a silent and aggressive disease. Recently, Hoag Innovators, a philanthropic group dedicated to catalyzing innovation at Hoag, funded the Pancreatic Cyst Surveillance Program, developed by Robert Selby, MD. This program, which monitors nearly 4,000 patients—one of the largest single-institution datasets in the country—gives patients peace of mind and access to early intervention when needed. Using advanced imaging, molecular testing, and evidence-based algorithms, the program differentiates benign cysts, premalignant lesions, and early-stage cancer, tailoring care for each patient.
 
Building on this foundation, Steven Grossman, MD, PhD, Grace E. Hoag Executive Medical Director Endowed Chair, Hoag Family Cancer Institute, and colleagues Sourat Dara-bi, PhD, MS; David Braxton, MD; and Michael Demeure, MD, MBA, FACS, FACE, Otis Healy Family Endowed Chair in Applied Genomics, are developing blood and cyst fluid tests to identify who requires surgery and who can be safely monitored, translating research directly into life-saving care. Philanthropic investment ensures sustainability, enhances data collection and clinical research, and positions Hoag as a national leader in pancreatic cyst surveillance and early detection. 

Turning the Tide on Alzheimer’s | Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute
 
In fall 2024, Hoag began offering newly FDA-approved monoclonal antibody infusions—disease-modifying therapies that can slow cognitive decline when started early. These lab-made proteins target the buildup of harmful plaques in the brain and are delivered through carefully monitored IV infusions. Thanks to philanthropic support, patients are now receiving these precision medicine treatments in Hoag’s Memory & Cognitive Disorders Program under the careful coordination of nurse practitioner Erica Welch, PMHNP-BC, MSN. Erica helps each patient navigate infusions and tailors care plans, providing guidance that more than 50 families are already benefiting from.
  
This work is led by Aaron Ritter, MD, Larkin Family Endowed Chair in Integrative Brain Health, whose clinical trials and research expertise ensure patients have access to the most advanced therapies available. Philanthropy not only fuels these innovations but also makes compassionate, coordinated care possible—giving families facing Alzheimer’s earlier access to treatment, renewed hope, and more time together.  

Changing the Course of Liver Health | Digestive Health Institute
 
At Hoag’s Digestive Health Institute, hepatologist Brian T. Lee, MD, and his team are pioneering new approaches to chronic liver disease. Hoag is one of the few local centers conducting phase III trials for a new drug to treat patients with compensated cirrhosis (severe liver scarring), offering hope where no FDA-approved treatments currently exist. “Conventional wisdom says cirrhosis is irreversible, like cement that’s already hardened,” Dr. Lee explains.

“This new drug could change that narrative—giving patients more time, better health, and less need for liver transplantation.” Beyond research, and thanks to philanthropy, Hoag is building an integrated, whole-person approach to liver health. Patients benefit from coordinated care that includes weight management, metabolic health support, and addiction services—creating a pathway that addresses the root causes of liver disease, not just its symptoms.

New Ground in Diabetes Care | Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center 

Philanthropy through the Dr. Kris V. Iyer Endowed Chair in Diabetes Care at the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center is driving groundbreaking research and expanding patient care. Recently, funds have supported additional research coordinators, enabling participation in multiple pioneering clinical trials. These include studies testing new medications for diabetes and weight management, a next-generation wearable insulin pump, and therapies designed to protect insulin-producing cells in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes. Hoag is also exploring innovative endoscopic procedures, like a minimally invasive treatment that could transform care for type 2 diabetes and obesity.
   
The Future of Care Is Integrative | Women’s Health Institute
 
Hoag is pioneering a first-of-its-kind study to integrate meditation and mindfulness into perioperative care for breast cancer patients. Led by Heather Macdonald, MD, medical director of the High-Risk Program at Hoag Breast Center Irvine, and Hoag Wellness Consultant Anusha Wijeyakumar, MA, CPC, E-RYT, the research explores how short, guided meditation practices designed at Hoag can reduce stress, ease anxiety, and even influence pain management in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. With more than 800 breast cancer surgeries performed at Hoag each year and national recognition for its oncoplastic surgery program, this innovative trial builds on prior feasibility studies to reimagine recovery for women facing cancer.
  
Meditation and integrative therapies are accessible to all patients, and this research is conducted rigorously through a randomized, controlled trial. Thanks to philanthropic support from Sue Mears, this transformative work allows Hoag to advance integrative oncology on a national stage. 

Innovating Non-Opioid Pain Relief | Center for Pain Management 

Hoag is advancing pain management through innovative, noninvasive solutions, made possible in part by philanthropy that supports a dedicated research coordinator to man-age and accelerate studies in pain and spine. 
  
The FluxWear study, led by Aaron Przybysz, MD, PhD, John L. Curci Family Endowed Chair in Pain Management and in partnership with the Hoag Family Cancer Institute, is testing electromagnetic cranial stimulation to help patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a debilitating side effect of cancer treatment often managed with medications that carry significant risks. This pilot study aims to refine methods for a larger trial that could transform cancer-related pain care. Hoag has also been approved as a site for the Freedom Trial, testing a minimally invasive implantable device that uses peripheral nerve stimulation to block chronic knee pain. Together, these studies highlight Hoag’s leadership in developing non-opioid, patient-centered approaches to pain relief.

Enhancing Spine Care | Hoag Spine Institute 

Hoag Spine Institute Director Burak Ozgur, MD, is leading a study to improve one of the most common spine surgeries performed today—anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), which relieves pressure on the spinal cord and nerves in the neck. His team is comparing two surgical approaches: traditional implants and a newer, lower-profile option designed to reduce complications and help patients recover more smoothly.  

By studying these approaches in more complex cases, Hoag is generating important knowledge that could make spine surgery safer, recovery faster, and outcomes better for patients in our community and beyond.