Hoag Health System

Home sweet home 🧡 Happy first day of spring, Orange County ☀️

For 17 years, Roz Hodgins lived with Zenker's Diverticulum, a rare condition affecting just 2 in 100,000 Americans. This challenging disorder caused a pouch to form in her throat, making it difficult to eat and swallow. Simple activities like dining out became stressful ordeals, as she experienced frightening episodes where food and medications would become lodged in her throat, causing severe coughing and choking. Hope arrived when Roz discovered Z-POEM, an innovative minimally invasive procedure performed by Dr. Kenneth Chang, James & Pamela Muzzy Executive Medical Director Endowed Chair in GI Cancer, Digestive Health Institute. As Southern California's pioneer of this technique, Dr. Chang has helped nearly 100 patients find relief through this groundbreaking treatment. Following her procedure in September 2024, Roz experienced a quick recovery and can now enjoy meals without fear. “I don’t know what I would have done if not for Dr. Chang. He is just such a visionary. He goes above and beyond for his patients, and he’s given me such an important part of my life back.” 📰 » https://bit.ly/4igvHRH

Athletes & celebrities from across the country came together at the Inaugural Newport Beach Celebrity Classic to support victims and first responders battling Southern California wildfires. We are deeply grateful to all attendees, whose generosity raised vital funds and awareness for this crucial cause.

In April 2023, Ian Beckham began his health journey at Hoag with a critical diagnosis. Facing complications from liver disease, Ian confronted significant challenges. Despite his commitment to sobriety months earlier, his health was declining rapidly. Each day brought new struggles as he dealt with severe symptoms that affected both his physical and mental wellbeing. Today, Ian exemplifies the power of modern medicine and personal determination. Through Hoag's comprehensive liver care program, which coordinates seamlessly with transplant centers, Ian received life-changing care. In August 2024, the Hoag team, under the care of Dr. Brian Lee, hepatologist at Hoag's Digestive Health Institute, helped facilitate his transplant listing, and by November, Ian had received his transplant. The transformation has been remarkable - he's shed 50 pounds and regained his vitality. His journey from illness to renewed health showcases the exceptional care provided by Hoag's Liver Program.

The In-N-Out trucks recently visited Hoag campuses to celebrate our achievement of the prestigious Magnet with Distinction. This exceptional honor represents the pinnacle of nursing excellence and stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication, remarkable skill, and heartfelt compassion of our outstanding nursing staff, hospital personnel, and physicians. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this remarkable accomplishment!

At the forefront of neurological care, the Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute's Multiple Sclerosis Program stands as a national leader in comprehensive MS treatment and research. Our pioneering team delivers cutting-edge care for patients at all stages of MS, an autoimmune disease that causes nervous system damage and remains the leading cause of disability in young adults. Through our innovative integrated approach, we combine advanced disease-modifying therapies, sophisticated symptom management, and comprehensive supportive care to optimize patients' quality of life. Our groundbreaking work in neuroimmunology has revolutionized the treatment of rare neurological conditions that share pathology with MS, establishing new standards of excellence in neurological care. Our Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Program offers state-of-the-art assessment and personalized treatment plans for a spectrum of conditions, including optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, and complex neuroimmunological diseases. Our distinguished multidisciplinary team leads the field in addressing challenging symptoms - from balance and gait disorders to MS-related fatigue and cognitive decline - while providing advanced medical therapy, pioneering research opportunities, specialized nurse navigation, and integrated physical and psychological support. This commitment to clinical excellence and patient-centered care has earned us recognition among the nation's best hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for 2023-24. #MSAwarenessWeek | #MSEndsWithUs

Empower360 Endowed Chair in Skull Base and Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery Robert G. Louis, MD, FAANS, recently joined students at Davis Magnet School's 2025 Medical Residency Day to demonstrate how he uses virtual reality to map out and rehearse brain surgeries. As director of the Skull Base and Pituitary Tumor Program at Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute at Hoag Hospital, Dr. Louis has pioneered virtual reality applications in healthcare for over a decade. The technology creates detailed 3D models of patients' brains, allowing neurosurgeons to better visualize tumors, nerves, blood vessels and tissue before surgery. This advancement not only helps surgeons prepare more effectively but also enables patients to better understand their surgical plans—a significant improvement over the traditional black-and-white 2D "slices" that Dr. Louis previously relied on when mapping surgical procedures. Now in its 14th year, Medical Residency Day is an annual opportunity for Davis Magnet students to receive hands-on learning about the systems within the human body. Dr. Louis has participated in the event several times over the years. "I very much enjoy connecting with students and sharing my passion for neurosurgery, science, technology, and learning," he said. "I myself was inspired to pursue a career in medicine after a neurosurgeon spoke to my sixth-grade class. If my time with students today sparks even one young mind to consider a future in healthcare, that would be incredibly rewarding."

Today, #InternationalWomensDay, we celebrate the trailblazing women who have transformed healthcare through their vision, expertise, and compassion. From pioneering researchers who've revolutionized treatment protocols to dedicated clinicians who provide exceptional patient care every day, women continue to be powerful architects of medical innovation and healing. At Hoag, we're privileged to witness firsthand how women leaders drive excellence across all aspects of healthcare—developing groundbreaking therapies, advancing medical research, and fostering environments where empathy and clinical expertise flourish together. As we honor the remarkable achievements of women throughout history, we also recognize the inspiring women working tirelessly in our communities today, creating healthier futures for generations to come. Their courage, resilience, and brilliance light the path forward in medicine and beyond.

Baseball season is back in Orange County! We're thrilled to partner with San Clemente Little League this year, supporting these young athletes and their community throughout their season. As we continue to deepen our roots in San Clemente, we're excited to work toward our summer opening of the Hoag Health Center San Clemente, bringing comprehensive healthcare services closer to home for local residents. Stay tuned for more updates as we count down to our grand opening. Play ball!

We're proud to announce the expansion of our robotic-assisted surgery offerings with the Virtual Incision MIRA™ Surgical System, the world's first miniaturized robotic-assisted device for minimally invasive colectomy procedures. As the first institution in the Western U.S. to offer this cutting-edge technology, our surgical team continues to demonstrate leadership in providing greater precision and control, having completed more than 30,000 robotic-assisted surgeries that deliver shorter hospital stays, reduced pain, faster recovery times, and smaller incisions. As a designated Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery (COERS), Hoag has demonstrated exceptional expertise in robotic-assisted surgery, consistently meeting high standards in patient care, surgical outcomes, and safety protocols. The compact and portable MIRA system represents our ongoing commitment to advancing robotic surgical practices, making this innovative technology more accessible to patients who previously faced barriers to receiving minimally invasive surgical care. 📰 » https://bit.ly/4ioUGli