Hoag

08/04/2025

Every new mom steps into a world filled with firsts — and so many “Am I doing this right?” moments.

From feeding questions to emotional ups and downs, it can feel overwhelming.

Nona is here to help. It connects moms directly to live experts like lactation consultants, experienced guides, and Hoag’s trusted clinicians whenever they need it.

Because sometimes the most important thing a new mom needs is to know she’s not alone 🧡

📲 https://bit.ly/41cFeCE

08/02/2025

Lung cancer doesn’t have just one face.

It’s not always the smoker. It’s not always who you might expect.
Sometimes, it’s a healthy, active person who has never smoked a day in their life.

On World Lung Cancer Day, we’re reminded that this disease can touch anyone — and that early detection saves lives.

For Orange County native Janice Munemitsu, it started with an unrelated eye condition… and led to the discovery of a rare form of lung cancer more common in Asian women who have never smoked.

Thanks to advanced technology — made possible by the generosity of Hoag Innovators — Janice’s cancer was found early and treated quickly. Within a month, she was recovering from surgery and getting back to the life she loves.

Her story is a powerful reminder: listen to your body, and don’t wait to get checked. Early answers can change everything.

Janice Munemitsu was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer. Thanks to philanthropy, Hoag had the advanced technology to quickly diagnose and begin her treatment.

07/30/2025

We’re proud to share that Hoag has once again been named the top-ranked hospital in Orange County by U.S. News & World Report.

This honor belongs to everyone at Hoag -- our care teams, staff, volunteers, and supporters -- and to you, our community. Thank you for trusting us with what matters most 🧡

📰 » https://bit.ly/47bmJ5g

07/28/2025

Wellness isn’t just something we talk about, it’s something we live.

As we support the WSL US Open of Surfing this week, we’re reminded that movement, balance, and time outside can make a real difference -- not just in how we feel physically, but in how we show up for our families, our work, and ourselves.

For some of our team, surfing offers that reset. For others, it’s a walk, a bike ride, or simply time in the sun. However you move, we’re here to support your version of wellness, every step (or paddle) of the way.

📸 Dr. William Kurt Armstrong, family medicine physician at Hoag

07/26/2025

Warm weather can be great for your heart if you know how to manage it. ☀️❤️

From hydration to meal choices and when you exercise, small summer habits can make a big difference in your heart health.

By Kevin Kheder, M.D. Surfing. Biking. Even just relaxing in the shade. Summer activities are great for the heart – but some summer habits are better than others at boosting heart health. At Hoag, we're dedicated to helping our patients stay heart healt...

07/24/2025

Feel like your mind just won’t slow down? You’re not alone—and you’re not doing it wrong.

Meditation isn’t about clearing your mind perfectly. It’s about pausing, breathing, and giving yourself a few quiet minutes each day to reset. Even five minutes can make a difference.

Explore more mindfulness and yoga offerings at hoag.org/hoag-for-her 💜

07/23/2025

🤧 RSV, flu, or COVID-19? The symptoms can be hard to tell apart, but key differences matter. Fever, cough, body aches… these viruses overlap, but don’t always act the same.

🩺 Check out our quick-reference chart to spot the signs and know what to watch for 👇

07/22/2025

Hoag now offers on-demand virtual care for patients 18 and older. Whether you’re at home, at work, or on the go, you can connect with a trusted Hoag nurse practitioner in minutes using your phone or computer.

✔️ Quick online intake
✔️ No appointment needed
✔️ Most PPO plans accepted (self-pay also available)
✔️ Seamless follow-up support from a Hoag Care Coordinator if needed

This is care made simple, by the Hoag team you know and trust. Available during select hours now, with expanded access coming in August.

➡️ Try Hoag On-Demand today: hoag.org/ondemand

07/19/2025

Marina Kazin woke up from a six-week coma unable to speak, walk, or even swallow. But from the very first moment, she was determined to fight her way back.

What started as blurry vision and dizziness turned out to be NORSE — a rare and life-threatening seizure condition that came without warning. Hoag’s neurology team placed her in a medically induced coma, racing to stop the seizures and protect her brain.

After weeks in the ICU and months of therapy, Marina began to recover. Her strength, and the care she received, left even her medical team in awe.

Her story is one of courage, resilience, and the power of expert, compassionate care.

When Marina Kazin awoke from a six-week coma in Hoag's ICU, she embarked on a journey of putting the pieces of her life back together. “I felt as if I had turned into a baby again,” she said. “I had to learn everything over again.” A fitness enthus...

07/17/2025

Hoag Health Center San Clemente is officially open, bringing trusted, compassionate care to the heart of one of Orange County’s most vibrant coastal communities.

This brand-new center offers everything from primary care and urgent care to OB/GYN, radiology, and specialties like neuroscience, spine, pain management, and orthopedics through Hoag Orthopedic Institute.

It also features the new Hoag Health Lab — a unique wellness space with services like nutrition and metabolic assessments, movement testing, recovery education, and even outdoor classes. Plus, Hoag Compass is now available on-site, giving you access to biomarker testing, expert consults, and personalized tools to help you take control of your long-term health.

The 20,000-square-foot Hoag Health Center will open, giving deep South Orange County residents more access to health care.

07/17/2025

When retired Hoag neurologist Dr. Bill Bracciodieta was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer, he feared the worst.

But within hours of arriving at Hoag, he had a diagnosis — and within days, he had hope.

Thanks to an advanced treatment plan and a compassionate care team, Bill’s pain disappeared, his energy returned, and he’s back to walking and golfing less than a year after his diagnosis.

What happened next surprised even his doctors.

When Bill Bracciodieta, MD, learned that his symptoms were likely caused by advanced-stage prostate cancer, he struggled to find hope in the path that lay before him. “I immediately thought, ‘we're going straight to hospice here.' Aside from receivin...

07/15/2025

Talking about feelings can be tough for kids and parents. But creating a space where your child feels safe to open up is one of the most powerful things you can do for their emotional health.

David Cook, LMFT and clinical manager of Hoag’s teen mental health program, ASPIRE, shares why some kids hold back and how parents can encourage honest conversations. With simple shifts like listening more and fixing less, you can build trust that lasts a lifetime.

It's not always easy for children to express how they're feeling -- especially to their parents. Whether it's fear of judgment, not knowing how to articulate their emotions, or past experiences of feeling dismissed, some kids may shut down instead of sp...