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Bill & Sue Gross Donate $2 Million Endowment

Newport Beach, Calif., February 4, 2013 — Local philanthropists Sue and Bill Gross, whose names grace Hoag’s Sue & Bill Gross Women’s Pavilion, demonstrated their commitment to Hoag yet again when they made a $2 million gift to establish an endowed chair in honor of Dr. Melvin Silverstein, an internationally renowned breast cancer researcher and surgeon, and medical director of the Breast Care Center at Hoag.

“We are pleased that the new endowed chair recognizes Dr. Silverstein’s pioneering work and innovative leadership,” said Sue Gross, president, Gross Family Foundation. “We wholeheartedly support Hoag in providing the endowed chair model for medical leaders such as Dr. Silverstein to expand their impact far beyond their patients.”

Dr. Silverstein, who came to Hoag five years ago after holding the Henrietta C. Lee Chair and a tenured full professorship in surgery at the University of Southern California, said he will use the funds to expand his training of other physicians. To date, 16 breast cancer surgeons from across the nation have come to USC/Hoag Breast Fellowship to study under Dr. Silverstein and his colleagues.

The creation of endowed chairs is one of the most significant ways to recognize physician leadership at Hoag and provide resources for chair holders to advance their areas of specialty. These prestigious awards assist Hoag in attracting renowned clinical leaders, enhancing patient care and facilitating national recognition.

While historically associated with academic institutions, Hoag now has seven endowed chair positions that are enabling the hospital to expand and improve programs in cancer, cardiac care, memory loss and cognitive impairment, neurosciences, cardiovascular surgery, gastrointestinal disease, and now, breast care. Each chair allows Hoag to remain on the leading edge of improving technology and health care for its patients.

“The benefits of endowed chairs are immeasurable,” said Flynn A. Andrizzi, Ph.D., president, Hoag Hospital Foundation and senior vice president for development at Hoag. “We’re very grateful to Sue and Bill Gross for their ongoing partnership in providing the finest health care possible to the communities we serve.”

Endowed Chairs at Hoag to Date:

Gross Family Foundation Endowed Chair in Oncoplastic Breast Surgery in honor of Dr. Melvin J. Silverstein,
Hoag Women’s Health Institute – Dr. Melvin J. Silverstein

Grace E. Hoag Executive Medical Director Endowed Chair,
Hoag Family Cancer Institute – Dr. Robert O. Dillman

James & Pamela Muzzy Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Surgery,
Hoag Heart & Vascular Institute – Dr. Aidan A. Raney

James & Pamela Muzzy Endowed Chair in GI Cancer,
Hoag Family Cancer Institute – Dr. John C. Lipham

Robert & Georgia Roth Endowed Chair for Excellence in Cardiac Care,
Hoag Heart & Vascular Institute – Dr. Dipti Itchhaporia

Ron & Sandi Simon Executive Medical Director Endowed Chair,
Hoag Neurosciences Institute – Dr. Michael N. Brant-Zawadzki

July & Richard Voltmer Endowed Chair in Memory Loss and Cognitive Disorders,
Hoag Neurosciences Institute – Dr. William R. Shankle

For more information about the Endowed Chairs or to support Hoag, please contact Kenya Beckmann at 949-764-6384 or Kenya.Beckmann@hoag.org.