Hoag Hospital Foundation honors legacy of Hoag’s longest running community volunteer support group.
On May 3, 2016, the Hoag Hospital Foundation held the annual 552 Club Presidents' Circle breakfast. Past 552 Club presidents joined current 552 Club Board member to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hoag’s longest running community volunteer support group. The 552 Club led the original Hoag promise to provide excellence in health care and, since its founding in 1966, has raised more than $40 million in support of Hoag.
Mark Hardtke, president of the 552 Club Board, thanked the past 552 Club presidents in attendance for their continued dedication to Hoag.
“What the 552 Club has done for Hoag and this community has set the gold standard throughout the country,” he said. “The 552 Club has been a huge part in laying the groundwork for the success of the Hoag Promise Campaign and you are all part of that success.”
Allyson Brooks, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., Ginny Ueberroth Executive Medical Director Endowed Chair, Hoag’s Women’s Health Institute and chief quality officer, Hoag, recalled that becoming a 552 Club donor was one of the first things she did when she joined Hoag more than 23 years ago. She spoke about Hoag quality and safety initiatives currently underway that have improved the patient experience and fostered teamwork among hospital and medical staff. She also discussed a new simulation lab in obstetrics at Hoag’s Women’s Health Institute.
“None of the things we do or showcase would be possible without philanthropy,” Dr. Brooks said.
Greg Gissendanner, assistant vice president of development and principal gifts, Hoag Hospital Foundation, gave an update on the Hoag Promise Campaign and where we are with a goal of $627 million by 2020.
“All of you laid the groundwork for the Hoag Hospital Foundation to do what it does today,” said Flynn A. Andrizzi, Ph.D, president of Hoag Hospital Foundation. “Through five decades, the 552 Club has grown and thrived alongside Hoag. You have remained steadfast in helping build some of Orange County’s first and only programs that made this community hospital into a world-class health care asset.”
Ilona Martin, past 552 Club president from 2010 to 2012, thanked everyone for the friendship and opportunity to represent Hoag in the community. “It is an honor to explain that the name 552 represents the vision of our founders to grow Hoag from a 60-bed facility to one that accommodated 552 beds,” she said.
The past 552 Club presidents in attendance included Bob Adams, Dr. John Applegate, James Dale, Courtney Emery, James Glabman, Gary Hunt. Wilbur Layman, Doug Meece, Dr. Fritz Westerhout, Thomas White and Warren Fong.
About Hoag Hospital Foundation
Thanks in large part to philanthropy, Hoag has become one of the nation’s finest health care systems and serves a diverse and growing population. Hoag Hospital Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Hoag (a separate 501(c)(3) corporation), is an integral partner in Hoag’s vision to become a trusted and nationally recognized health care leader. Under the direction of a volunteer Board of Directors, the Foundation launched Hoag Promise, Our Campaign to Lead, Innovate &Transform with a goal of $627 million by 2020. Comprehensive in the truest sense of the word, the Hoag Promise campaign encompasses every institute, center and specialty area of Hoag and includes programs, innovation opportunities, research, technology, facilities and staff to drive Hoag’s continued clinical leadership, innovative spirit and transformative potential.
For more photos, click here.
Sign up for our Newsletter
