Hoag

03/27/2026

In extending our commitment to meet the complex care needs of Orange County, we’re proud to announce the development of a comprehensive organ transplant center, beginning with liver and kidney transplantation.

With the recruitment of Dr. Aaron Ahearn as surgical director, and under the leadership of Dr. Kenneth Chang, Executive Medical Director of Hoag’s Digestive Health Institute, this program marks a critical step in expanding access to highly specialized care so patients no longer have to leave the region or their trusted care teams during some of life’s most vulnerable moments.

For a community of more than 3.1 million residents without a local liver transplant program, this is meeting a real and urgent need.

With more than five years of planning and a strong multidisciplinary foundation already in place, the program is expected to launch as early as 2027, pending regulatory approval.

This is what it means to anticipate the needs of our community and continue raising the standard of care in Orange County.

📰 Tap the link below to read more in today’s issue of The Orange County Register.

(Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Hoag announced Friday that it will be launching an organ transplant center that could begin performing liver and kidney transplants as early as next year, pending regulatory approval.

03/25/2026

💭 Q: I have high cholesterol—why does my doctor recommend a statin long term?

If you’ve ever wondered, “Do I really need to take this forever?” — you’re not alone.

“One of the most common questions I hear is exactly that,” says Dr. Alexis Goswitz. “The answer comes down to how cholesterol affects the arteries over time.”

Statins do more than lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. They also reduce inflammation inside blood vessels and have been shown to significantly lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients at increased cardiovascular risk.

When medication is stopped, cholesterol levels often rise again. That’s because genetics, age-related metabolic changes, and plaque buildup that develops over decades don’t simply disappear when lab numbers improve. Statins aren’t just treating a lab value—they’re helping reduce long-term cardiovascular risk.

The good news is that most people tolerate statins well. If side effects occur, your physician can adjust the dose or switch medications. The goal is always the lowest effective dose to protect your heart.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4sdL0io

03/24/2026

Sometimes, life-changing moments begin in the most unexpected ways.

In Episode 3 of Take Me To Hoag, Dr. Allyson Brooks shares how a simple moment playing with her granddaughter led to a discovery that changed everything.

Her experience offers a powerful look at what happens when a physician becomes a patient—exploring the realities of diagnosis, the vulnerability of receiving care, and how that perspective is shaping the future of women’s health.

🎧 Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/Ig2bCOPAPZE

03/18/2026

When a physician becomes a patient, the experience can change everything.

In Episode 3 of the Take Me to Hoag Podcast, Dr. Allyson Brooks, Ginny Ueberroth Executive Medical Director Endowed Chair of Hoag Women’s Health Institute, shares her deeply personal journey of receiving cancer treatment at Hoag — the same health system where she has spent years building programs designed to care for women in life’s most defining moments.

In conversation with Hoag Board Chair Robert Brunswick, Dr. Brooks reflects on the shock of diagnosis, the vulnerability of sitting in the infusion chair, and what it means to experience care from the other side. Together, they explore leadership, healing and the profound trust involved in allowing others to care for you.

🎧 Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/Ig2bCOPAPZE

03/17/2026

Breast cancer care is evolving, and so are the options.

Oncoplastic surgery combines cancer removal with immediate reconstruction in one procedure. The goal is not just to treat cancer, but to care for the whole person while preserving appearance, confidence, and quality of life.

At Hoag, breast and plastic surgeons work side by side from the start, creating personalized surgical plans that prioritize both safety and outcomes. Because healing is not just physical, it is personal.

Learn more: https://www.hoag.org/treatment/oncoplastic-surgery

03/16/2026

Pregnancy changes everything, including your pelvic floor. And preparing it before delivery can make a meaningful difference in recovery.

“Pelvic floor dysfunction is the inability to control and coordinate the muscles of the pelvic floor, which support the uterus, bladder and rectum,” said Dr. Leah Nakamura, Hoag urologist specializing in pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. “Working with her obstetrician, we encourage women to prepare their pelvic floor for delivery and postpartum care during pregnancy.”

Simple, proactive steps, like staying active, practicing Kegels and meeting with a pelvic floor physical therapist, can help reduce the risk of long-term symptoms such as incontinence, prolapse and pelvic pain.

At Hoag’s Pelvic Health Program, we support women with comprehensive, whole-person care so they feel strong, confident and prepared before and after baby arrives.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3P3v8ku

Pelvic floor health: What every expecting mom should know

03/13/2026

Rattlesnake season has arrived early in Southern California, and with warmer weather drawing more people outdoors, Hoag experts are reminding hikers, runners and cyclists to stay alert on the trails.

“If you are bitten by a venomous snake, it is critical to seek emergency care immediately,” says Dr. Mona Sedghian, internal medicine specialist at Hoag.

Stay safe outdoors:�
⚠️ Wear closed-toe shoes�
⚠️ Stay on clear trails�
⚠️ Avoid tall grass and rocky areas�
⚠️ If you hear a rattle, stop and slowly move away�
⚠️ Keep at least 10 feet of distance

If bitten, stay calm, limit movement, keep the limb below heart level and seek emergency care immediately.

Learn more about rattlesnake bite symptoms, first aid and how to stay safe outdoors: https://bit.ly/410Gk3R

Rattlesnake Bite: Symptoms, First Aid and How to Stay Safe Outdoors

03/11/2026

As the Hoag Classic approaches and PGA TOUR Champions arrive in Newport Beach, there’s more to watch than the leaderboard.

According to Dr. Andrew Mock, Medical Director of Hoag Compass and four-time California Strongman, golfers demonstrate something powerful: longevity in motion.

“Peak performance isn’t about intensity alone. It’s about consistency, adaptability, and preserving the ability to move well over a round, a season, and decades.”

From a lifestyle medicine perspective, golf supports many of the core pillars of healthy aging:

⛳ Sustainable movement – Walking, controlled swings, and repeatable play protect joints, support heart health, and maintain muscle over time.

⛳ Strength and power – Grip strength, balance, rotational power, and core stability are key predictors of independence and fall prevention.�

⛳ Brain health – Focus, strategy, and emotional regulation keep the mind sharp.�

⛳ Connection – Community and time outdoors reduce stress and combat isolation, a major risk factor for mortality.

As players take the course at the 2026 Hoag Classic, they’re modeling both elite competition and how to play the long game in health and in life.

Purchase your tickets to the 2026 Hoag Classic and support world-class care at Hoag: hoagclassic.com

03/08/2026

On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible women of Hoag who are advancing medicine and elevating care across our community.

From leading groundbreaking research and performing complex procedures to educating patients and mentoring the next generation, they push boundaries while keeping compassion at the center of everything they do.

For our patients, that means access to innovative treatments, thoughtful and personalized care, and teams who listen, educate, and advocate every step of the way.

Women in medicine lead care forward. 🧡

03/06/2026

Daylight saving time begins this weekend, and that lost hour can throw off your internal clock. ⏰

According to Dr. Jay Puangco, chief of the Hoag Sleep Health Program, even a one-hour shift can make it harder to fall asleep, stay asleep and feel rested the next day.

To help your body adjust, Dr. Puangco recommends focusing on a few key habits:
→ Keep a consistent schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day�
→ Create a sleep-friendly environment that is cool, dark and screen-free before bed�
→ Calm your body with breathing techniques like box breathing or 4-7-8�
→ Quiet your mind by writing down worries or practicing simple visualization�
→ Support sleep during the day with sunlight, regular exercise and limiting caffeine, alcohol, ni****ne and late heavy meals

Prioritizing sleep now can ease the transition and protect your mood, focus and overall health.

If sleep struggles continue beyond the time change, Hoag’s Sleep Health Program offers comprehensive evaluation and treatment options. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4aLEslr

03/05/2026

When it comes to mental health, few activities check as many boxes as golf: movement, fresh air, focus, and meaningful social connection. ⛳

Spending time on the course can help lower stress hormones while boosting serotonin and dopamine, the chemicals that support a calm, positive mood. Walking 18 holes can mean up to 10,000 steps, hours of outdoor serenity, and the kind of conversations that help people feel truly seen and supported.

“The game demands that players focus, enjoy regular social interactions and get exercise and fresh air – all of which help lower stress and stave off depression,” says David Cook, LMFT, Clinical Manager of ASPIRE and the Young Adult Mental Health Program.

That’s why the Hoag Classic is about so much more than world-class golf. Returning March 22–29, Orange County’s only official PGA TOUR Champions event will take place at the breathtaking Newport Beach Country Club, where rolling greens meet sun, surf, and sand.

🎟️ Get tickets at hoagclassic.com