Hoag

11/27/2025

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and feasting, but sudden changes in routine, rich foods, stress, and less sleep can put extra strain on your heart. Did you know more heart attacks happen around the holidays, especially during big celebrations?

Here are 5 ways to keep your heart healthy this Thanksgiving:
1️⃣ Skip the Salt – Choose smaller portions and healthier options on the buffet or at the dinner table.�
2️⃣ Decompress – Take a few minutes to relax, meditate, or stretch amid the holiday hustle.�
3️⃣ Stay Active – Go for a walk after dinner, play a game of touch football, or involve the family in a hike. Every bit of movement helps.
4️⃣ Know the Symptoms – Chest pain, arm discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea, or cold sweats could signal a heart attack.�
5️⃣ Act Fast – If you or someone nearby shows heart attack symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately. Quick action saves lives.

A joyful Thanksgiving includes a healthy heart.

11/25/2025

Healthcare is getting bigger, but are we losing what really matters?
Hoag is doing it differently.

In Episode 1 of Take Me to Hoag, host and Chair of the Hoag Hospital Board of Directors, Robert Brunswick, sits down with Hoag President and CEO, Robert Braithwaite, to explore what truly sets Hoag apart in a landscape increasingly dominated by “big healthcare.”

From Braithwaite’s early days as a Hoag intern to leading one of California’s most respected nonprofit health systems, he shares how Hoag’s secret sauce comes down to three essentials: exceptional talent, cutting-edge facilities, and a culture rooted in compassion.

Together, they dive into:�
→ How Hoag attracts top physicians
→ Why bold decisions fuel innovation
→ New facilities like Hoag Health Center San Clemente
→ Prioritizing community voices over corporate mandates
→ The vital role of compassion and humanity in Hoag’s growth

🎧 Take Me to Hoag Podcast, Episode 1 is live now at YouTube.com//Podcasts

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11/24/2025

Men, take charge this Movember.

Prostate cancer is on the rise in men under 55, but knowing your risk and getting screened can make all the difference.

Here’s how men can stay ahead:�
🔹 Understand your risk: Family history, gene mutations and lifestyle factors matter. Genetic counseling can help you know if you are at an elevated risk.
🔹 Get screened: Average risk? Discuss screening starting at age 50. Higher risk? Hoag specialists can guide earlier or more frequent screenings.
🔹 Pay attention to subtle symptoms: Changes in urinary health can sometimes indicate prostate issues, even if most prostate cancers do not cause symptoms.
🔹 Talk vitamins and supplements: Some over-the-counter vitamins may increase prostate cancer risk. Always tell your doctor what you are taking.
🔹 Know your options: Some prostate cancers grow slowly and may be monitored through active surveillance, which emphasizes careful monitoring over immediate treatment.

At Hoag Family Cancer Institute, we have the largest prostate cancer program in Orange County with expert urologists, GU surgeons, and radiation oncologists. Hoag is a national leader in robotic surgeries and advanced GU cancer treatments, ranked High Performing by U.S. News and World Report. Where you get screened and treated matters.

Don’t wait. Protect your health and schedule your screening today. Every moment counts.

11/21/2025

🫁 Early detection saves lives, and Hoag is making lung cancer diagnosis smarter, safer, and more precise.

With Cios Spin imaging technology, funded by Hoag Innovators, and Ion Robotic Assisted Bronchoscopy, doctors have real-time 3D guidance to locate even the smallest or hardest-to-reach lung lesions. In many cases, lesions can be diagnosed and treated during the same procedure, which means fewer follow-up appointments and a faster, smoother recovery.

This minimally invasive approach reduces complications by up to 10 times compared to traditional methods, giving patients expert care with less risk and downtime.

Leading these advanced procedures is Dr. Javier Longoria, triple board-certified interventional pulmonologist. His robotic and minimally invasive techniques provide patients with care that is safe, precise, and highly personalized.

High-risk patients, including heavy smokers or former heavy smokers aged 50 to 77, can benefit from Hoag’s Early Lung Cancer Screening Program, which helps detect disease at its earliest and most treatable stage.

With the right technology and expert care, patients can face lung cancer with confidence, hope, and a clear path forward.

11/18/2025

Ever wonder how Hoag stays at the cutting edge of medicine? It’s not luck, it’s strategy. In our debut podcast episode, host and Chair of the Hoag Hospital Board of Directors, Robert Brunswick, sits down with Hoag President and CEO, Robert Braithwaite, to explore what truly sets Hoag apart in a landscape increasingly dominated by “big healthcare.”

CEO Robert Braithwaite breaks down Hoag’s “three-legged stool” approach: exceptional talent, cutting-edge facilities, and a culture rooted in compassion.

🎧 Take Me to Hoag Podcast, Episode 1 is live now at YouTube.com/

Together They Discuss:
→ Attracting top physicians nationwide
→ Bold healthcare innovation
→ Building facilities like Hoag Health Center in San Clemente
→ Prioritizing community input
→ The role of compassion, agility, and humanity in Hoag’s growth and success

11/17/2025

Every expectant parent dreams of a healthy baby, but sometimes newborns arrive too early or face unexpected complications. In those critical moments, immediate access to advanced, compassionate care can make all the difference.

At Hoag, our Level IIIa Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Newport Beach provides exactly that. Staffed 24/7 with board-certified neonatologists and a full team of specialists—including neonatal nurses, respiratory therapists, lactation consultants, and more—our NICU delivers state-of-the-art, individualized care for every baby.

Our commitment extends beyond discharge. Through our specialized development clinic, NICU graduates receive follow-up care for up to two years, helping them reach developmental milestones with the support of our expert team.

Looking ahead:
- Hoag Hospital Newport Beach will expand its NICU and Maternal-Fetal Medicine units, opening in August 2026, bringing even more specialized care to the community.
- Hoag’s Sun Family Campus in Irvine will expand women’s health services, including additional maternity suites and a Level III NICU, with the new Women’s Hospital and Women’s Outpatient Pavilion opening in August 2026.

On this World Prematurity Day, we honor the strength of our tiniest fighters and their families, reaffirming our promise to provide expert care every step of the way.

11/13/2025

Welcome to Hoag’s new podcast series, where you’ll meet the experts redefining what’s possible in medicine. At Hoag, innovation thrives in an environment where world-class physicians deliver breakthrough care grounded in compassion and purpose.

🎙️In the pilot episode, host and Hoag Hospital Board of Directors, Robert Brunswick, sits down with Hoag President and CEO Robert Braithwaite for a candid conversation about what truly sets Hoag apart in a landscape increasingly dominated by “big healthcare.”

From attracting top physician talent to building facilities like the new Hoag Health Center in San Clemente based on community input rather than corporate mandates, Braithwaite shares how Hoag continues to grow while preserving the warmth, agility, and humanity that make people proudly say, “Take me to Hoag.”

Full episode live now: youtube.com//podcasts.

11/11/2025

Ever feel like life is moving too fast and you’re just trying to keep up? It is easy to get lost in work, family, and endless responsibilities. But sometimes well-being is not about doing more, it is about pausing and being present in the small moments.

Rituals can help. Unlike routines, which focus on efficiency, rituals bring intention and presence to ordinary actions. They are small ways to reconnect with yourself throughout the day.

Here are a few ideas to try:
🌱 Mindful Tea Preparation – Take a few minutes to brew your tea with care. Let this simple act center you before the day begins.
🌱 Post-Meal Walks – Step outside, leave your phone behind, and give your mind and body a chance to reset.
🌱 Low-Pressure Journaling – Write down your thoughts without worrying about perfection. Gratitude lists or stream-of-consciousness writing both work.

Even just one small ritual can reduce stress, cultivate awareness, and help you feel more connected to yourself.

For many of us, daily responsibilities can feel both overwhelming and monotonous. Trying to find balance while juggling professional roles, caregiving, relationships, and community involvement can lead to a sense of personal disconnection. This is wher...

11/10/2025

This week, we shine a spotlight on the incredible Nurse Practitioners at Hoag who make a difference every day.

Whether it’s diagnosing and treating patients, guiding them through their health journey, or offering comfort and support when it’s needed most, Nurse Practitioners are at the center of patient care. They combine expertise, compassion, and dedication to ensure every person receives the best care possible.

To all our NPs: thank you for your knowledge, your commitment, and the countless lives you touch. Your impact is felt in every corner of Hoag. 🧡

11/07/2025

Sometimes forgetting a name or struggling to find the right word can feel scary as if our brain is failing. But small memory “blips” are often just normal brain inefficiencies caused by stress, lack of sleep, or even aging.

Dementia is different. It causes ongoing memory problems that affect daily life and is often linked to changes in the brain’s metabolism. The good news is while genetics play a role, lifestyle choices like exercise, sleep, nutrition, and stress management can help support brain health

Dr. Aaron Ritter, director of Hoag’s Memory & Cognitive Disorders Program, says “Laugh at least once a day. And if you haven’t, do something that makes you.”

Take care of your brain today and your future self will thank you.

Our brains don't always work perfectly. Forgetting a neighbor's name or struggling to find the right word can feel unsettling--as if our minds are failing. But Dr. Aaron Ritter, Larkin Family Endowed Chair in Integrative Brain Health and Director of the...

11/07/2025

When Melissa Smith scheduled her annual breast screening at Hoag, she never imagined it would change her life, and her children’s future.

After losing her husband Danny, great-grandson of George and Grace Hoag, Melissa focused on staying strong for her two young kids. But when Hoag radiologist Dr. January Lopez suggested a breast MRI based on Melissa’s dense breast tissue and family history, something inside told her to listen.

That choice revealed what her mammogram couldn’t: invasive lobular carcinoma, an often hard-to-detect form of breast cancer. With the guidance of Dr. Heather Macdonald, Medical Director of Hoag’s Early Risk Assessment Program, Melissa underwent a successful surgery and is now cancer-free.

“Dr. Lopez’s recommendation saved my life,” she said. “It saved my kids’ lives because they still have their mom. It saved all of us.”

Today, Melissa is turning her experience into advocacy, encouraging women to trust their intuition, know their risk, and take that next step for their health. 💕

11/06/2025

Love has a way of shining brightest in the hardest moments.

Yesterday, the Hoag community was deeply honored to witness a wedding in the chapel of Hoag Hospital Newport Beach. It was a beautiful ceremony celebrating the love between Steve and Nancy.

Steve, who is courageously battling cancer, recently underwent procedures with Hoag Neurosurgeon Dr. Nathan Han, who removed a tumor that had spread to Steve’s spine, and Dr. John Ibrahim, a Hoag Orthopedic Institute surgeon who repaired a fractured femur. Before heading home to continue his recovery, Steve shared a wish with his care team—to marry his beloved, Nancy.

Without hesitation, the Hoag team came together to make it happen.

Together, they witnessed a deeply moving ceremony celebrating Steve and Nancy’s union filled with love, hope and gratitude.

From all of us at Hoag: Congratulations, Steve and Nancy.