Hoag Health System

What a magical night at the 58th Annual Christmas Carol Ball 🎄✨ Over 400 guests joined us at VEA Newport Beach for an enchanting evening of festive European markets, dining, dancing, and giving back. Thanks to our incredible community, we raised $952,785 for advanced patient care! Special thanks to our event chairs Alexandra and Rick Taketa, our generous underwriters, and silent auction sponsors for making this possible 🎉

The power of gratitude in healthcare comes full circle! After receiving life-saving care at Hoag's Neurosciences Institute following a stroke, Gary Fudge transformed his experience into a lasting legacy. Today, the Fudge Family Acute Rehabilitation Center (FFARC) stands as a state-of-the-art facility, helping patients regain independence and return to community living. Gary continues to give back, hosting annual holiday lunches for the dedicated FFARC staff and staying actively involved in the center's mission. We are deeply grateful to Gary for his extraordinary generosity and ongoing commitment to our community. Thank you, Gary, for being an inspiration and a cornerstone of the Hoag family.

The Hoag family, spanning multiple generations, gathered with close friends at Hoag Hospital for the unveiling of George Hoag II's portrait, honoring the legacy of a man whose influence extends far beyond the hospital walls. George Hoag II's vision and leadership helped transform Hoag into the world-class healthcare institution it is today. His dedication to excellence in patient care and commitment to our community continues to inspire us. The portrait will serve as a daily reminder of the values he championed - compassion, innovation, and unwavering dedication to serving others. We're proud to honor his memory and continue building upon his remarkable legacy.

We're thrilled to announce that Hoag has earned both its fifth Magnet hospital redesignation and achieved Magnet with Distinction! This prestigious recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) puts us in an elite group — we're one of only 18 healthcare organizations nationwide, and the only one in Southern California, to receive this highest honor. Our exceptional nursing staff continues to prove why they're among the nation's finest, delivering outstanding patient care while upholding the highest professional standards. We celebrate the dedication of our entire team — from bedside nurses to department heads, executive team, medical staff, and board members. Together, we're transforming our community's health and setting new benchmarks for healthcare excellence.

Holiday decorations bring festive cheer to our homes, but safety must remain a priority during this magical season. From candles to Christmas trees, many cherished decorations can pose fire hazards without proper management. Here are essential tips to keep your home merry, bright — and most importantly — safe this holiday season.

Scientists are exploring an innovative approach to fighting cancer by harnessing the power of viruses. While viruses are typically known for causing diseases like the common cold and COVID-19, modified versions called oncolytic viruses are being developed to specifically target and destroy cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed. Tara Seery, M.D., Director Hepatobiliary Cancer and Co-Director Cell Therapy at the Hoag Family Cancer Institute, is leading promising research in this field, particularly focused on pancreatic cancer treatment. "The oncolytic virus treatment for some patients with melanoma gave people their lives back," she explains. "We need to do the same thing for people with pancreatic cancer." Her team is investigating VCN-01, a viral agent designed to break down the protective barrier around pancreatic tumors, making them more vulnerable to treatment. "What drove me to the trial is how this virus interacts with the stroma," says Dr. Seery. "If drugs can be designed and combinations can be designed to penetrate or destroy the stroma, we can treat patients more effectively. Patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer need more options that are tolerable and effective. We need to do better than just chemotherapy."

Holiday travel presents challenges like crowded spaces and unpredictable weather, while also increasing exposure to seasonal illnesses. For healthy travel, Dr. Samuel Herman of Hoag Medical Group advises washing hands frequently with soap and water, using hand sanitizer when needed, and considering mask use while traveling. Good sleep, hydration, and regular exercise also help maintain a strong immune system during the busy holiday season.

Joy and cheer filled the air at this year's Hoag Holiday Parties! Our incredible healthcare heroes took a well-deserved break to celebrate another year of outstanding service. Thank you to all our amazing Hoag employees who make a difference in our community every day 🎄✨

"If there’s something we dream of, we’re able to accomplish it.” » https://hoaghealth.org/

The 2024 Hoag Neuroscience Nursing Symposium was a significant gathering for the nursing community. Nurses from across the country convened to exchange knowledge and experiences in neuroscience nursing, as well as to discuss new innovations, advancements, and program offerings. Our keynote speaker Carolyn Jones, an acclaimed photographer and filmmaker, has devoted her career to documenting healthcare professionals through powerful visual storytelling. She shared her extensive work capturing nurses' stories, including "The American Nurse Project" and her award-winning 2014 documentary. Her powerful storytelling resonated with symposium attendees, offering unique perspectives on the nursing profession and generating thoughtful conversations about advancing neuroscience nursing.