When Amy Chen updated her estate plans, she found herself reflecting on the people and institutions that had shaped her life. 

She wanted to support organizations that strengthened the community and would endure long into the future. That reflection led her to Hoag. 

Today, Amy’s philanthropy includes a gift through her donor-advised fund supporting the Boldly Hoag campaign and the expansion of the Hoag Hospital Irvine Sun Family Campus, as well as a legacy commitment benefiting Hoag’s Area of Greatest Need. Together, these gifts reflect a thoughtful approach to giving—one that creates impact today while helping ensure exceptional care for future generations. 

For Amy, however, philanthropy is ultimately personal. 

A Place of Healing 

Nearly two decades ago, Amy and her father became caregivers for her mother, Lisa, following a lung cancer diagnosis. For three years, they navigated the uncertainty, exhaustion, and heartache that so many families know firsthand, spending countless hours in other hospitals in and out of Orange County as they supported her through treatment. 

“Those three years were the hardest three years,” Amy says. 

Though her mother eventually passed away, Amy also remembers moments of profound tenderness and grace amid the struggle. The experience left a lasting mark.  For years afterward, hospitals carried difficult memories. 

Recently, she toured the construction site of the Hoag Hospital Irvine Sun Family Campus, which opens this September. In these new facilities, Amy was struck by the abundance of natural light, thoughtful design, and a warm, comforting aesthetic. The campus felt different from the hospitals she remembered.  

“Walking through Hoag Irvine was, in a way, a meaningful step in my own healing process,” she shares. 

She noticed an intentionality in the design that reflected an awareness of what patients and families go through over long care journeys. The visit transformed her understanding of what a healthcare environment could be—not just a place for treatment, but a place that supports people emotionally, physically, and spiritually. 

“I felt very blessed to be in a community that can access such great medical care.” 

Honoring a Lasting Influence 

Inspired by what she saw, Amy chose to support the new Cancer & Digestive Health Hospital and dedicate a patient room in memory of two women who profoundly shaped her life: her mother, Lisa Chen, and her aunt, Dr. Louise Hsu. 

“My mom left the greatest imprint on me,” Amy says. “I feel like I carry part of her with me.” 

Her aunt, a research scientist who concluded her career at the National Institutes of Health, shared a passion for discovery and learning that Amy believes aligns closely with Hoag’s commitment to innovation. 

Both women also shared a deep faith that continues to guide Amy today. 

The room she selected overlooks a healing garden and nearby water feature, details that resonated deeply with her. 

“I hope patients and their loved ones can see themselves in a garden of life,” she says. 

In honoring her mother and aunt, Amy hopes this space will bring a sense of peace and renewal to patients and families facing difficult journeys of their own, creating moments of comfort amid uncertainty.  

Amy Chen's mother, Lisa Chen, and her aunt, Dr. Louise Hsu

Giving with Intention 

As an attorney, Amy understands the importance of planning ahead. Her philanthropy is supported through a donor-advised fund, a charitable giving vehicle that allows donors to make contributions, receive immediate tax benefits, and recommend charitable distributions over time. For Amy, and many others, this approach offers both simplicity and flexibility. 

While donor-advised funds have become an increasingly popular tool for charitable giving, Amy believes the larger goal is simply being intentional with the resources entrusted to us. That same spirit led her to make a legacy commitment to Hoag, ensuring her support will continue long after her lifetime. 

Looking Toward the Future 

Amy's connection to Hoag continues to grow. Recently, she attended her first Hoag Innovators meeting, where physicians presented new ideas and technologies with the potential to transform patient care. Hoag Innovators, founded and led by current Hoag Hospital Board Chair Robert Brunswick and his wife Kitty, is a group of philanthropists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders who are dedicated to catalyzing innovation at Hoag.  

The experience reinforced her optimism about the future of medicine and the role philanthropy can play in accelerating innovation. 

“There are so many difficult things happening in the world,” she says. “But in the area of medical advancement, I’m very hopeful.” 

It is a perspective that connects every part of her giving, from honoring loved ones, to supporting today’s patients, to investing in discoveries that may benefit future generations. 

Through both her current and planned gifts, Amy is helping build a healthier future for Orange County while carrying forward the values that shaped her own life: faith, generosity, and hope.