Where Visionary Giving Meets Medical Innovation

Great healthcare systems are defined by the people who lead them. At Hoag, philanthropy helps our physician leaders do their most ambitious work.

Through endowed chairs—prestigious positions funded by visionary donors—exceptional physicians receive sustained support to advance research, pioneer innovative treatments, recruit top talent, and expand programs that transform patient care. These investments are a cornerstone of Hoag’s privademic model, blending the personalized care and agility of a private health system with the research and academic rigor typically found at leading universities.

Endowed chairs allow physicians to pursue bold ideas and bring breakthrough medicine directly to the community. They also help Hoag attract and retain nationally recognized specialists drawn to a culture where collaboration drives progress and innovation can move quickly.

Across Hoag’s institutes and specialty programs, endowed chairholders are advancing new therapies, expanding access to care, and improving outcomes for patients throughout the region.

With six new endowed chairs recently announced, Hoag donors are driving innovation in neuroscience, digestive health, maternal mental health, pain medicine, cancer care, and more.

“Endowed chairs are one of the most powerful ways we can transform patient care, fuel discovery, and advance the future of medicine.” —Caroline A. Pereira, MBA  President, Hoag Hospital Foundation

Honoring Excellence: Endowed Chair Investitures

Hoag celebrates its newest endowed chairs and the forward-thinking philanthropists who make them possible at a special investiture ceremony.

Each ceremony begins with a white coat processional, as fellow physicians enter to honor the newly appointed chairs, setting the stage for a meaningful gathering of physicians, donors, and Hoag leaders to recognize donor impact and showcase the transformative work each chair supports. 

Meet Hoag’s Newest Endowed Chairs Honoring Excellence

Thanks to generous donor support, Hoag is honored to  welcome a new cohort of distinguished physician leaders to its growing Endowed Chair Program.

Honoring Endowed Chair Excellence This Spring

The following endowed chairs were formally honored at an investiture ceremony held in Spring 2026, bringing together physicians, donors, and Hoag leadership to celebrate their appointment and the philanthropic partnerships that made their work possible.

“Our goal is to create a center of excellence in pain management—bringing together technology, science, and heart to improve lives in Orange County and beyond.” —Aaron J. Przybysz, MD, PhD, John L. Curci Family Endowed Chair in Pain Management

“As a member of this community, I’ve seen how chronic pain can touch anyone, and it hits families hard. Supporting pain medicine at Hoag has been a long-standing priority for me. This endowed chair means Hoag can continue to innovate, try new approaches, and give patients compassionate and coordinated care.”  —John Curci

When Aaron J. Przybysz, MD, PhD, joined Hoag in 2024, he brought a vision for transforming how pain is understood and treated. As the inaugural John L. Curci Family Endowed Chair in Pain Management, he is building a comprehensive program that integrates research, advanced science, innovative therapies, and multidisciplinary care. Under his leadership, Hoag launched the Hoag Interventional Pain Center, the only facility on the West Coast dedicated exclusively to pain management procedures.

“Maternal mental health is fundamental to the well-being of families—and when we care for mothers, we care for entire communities.”—Mercedes Szpunar, MD, PhD, Tsao Family Foundation Endowed Chair in Maternal Mental Health

“This gift reflects our belief that maternal mental health should be integrated into every aspect of family care. By investing in long-term solutions at Hoag, we hope to expand access, advance innovation, and help set a new standard for how mothers are supported before, during, and after childbirth.” —Janie Tsao 

“Innovation in neuroimmunology is moving rapidly. Our goal is to ensure patients have access to those advances as quickly as possible.” —Yasir Jassam, MD, FRCP, FAAN, Janet Curci Family Foundation Endowed Chair in Multiple Sclerosis & Neuroimmunology

“When someone you love is affected by a condition like multiple sclerosis, the importance of compassionate, expert care becomes profoundly clear. This endowed chair reflects a commitment to ensuring patients and families have access to the innovation, expertise, and support they need at every step of their journey.” —Janet Curci

Multiple sclerosis and related neuroimmunological diseases often emerge during the most active years of life, making early diagnosis and specialized care essential. As the inaugural Janet Curci Family Foundation Endowed Chair in Multiple Sclerosis & Neuroimmunology, Yasir Jassam, MD, FRCP, FAAN, is leading Hoag’s efforts to advance treatment for these complex conditions.

Chief of Neurology and Director of the Multiple Sclerosis & Neuroimmunology Program at the Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute, Dr. Jassam is exploring innovative diagnostics—including blood tests designed to detect MS accurately and early. 

Continuing the Celebration of Excellence This Fall

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These new endowed chairs will be celebrated at a forthcoming investiture ceremony in Fall 2026, furthering Hoag’s tradition of honoring physician excellence and the donor vision that advances innovation in care.

“You are not just a patient—you are a person, and with the right care, you can thrive.” —Caroline Hwang, MD, Margolis Family Endowed Chair in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

“When we first partnered with Hoag, our hope was to build something lasting for families living with IBD. Establishing this endowed chair ensures that innovation continues, that patients have access to the very best care, and that no one facing this disease feels alone. We are proud to support a program that is advancing science while never losing sight of the person behind the diagnosis.” —Debbie Margolis

For people living with inflammatory bowel disease, managing symptoms often requires highly specialized care. As the inaugural Margolis Family Endowed Chair in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Caroline Hwang, MD, is expanding Hoag’s growing IBD program. Under her leadership, the Margolis Family IBD Program has grown into one of the largest in Orange County, with clinical trials bringing promising new therapies to patients in our community. Dr. Hwang is also advancing research into nutrition, the microbiome, and more personalized approaches to care.

“Early detection is our greatest opportunity to change outcomes in lung disease, and we can do this by increasing access to screening to move quickly from diagnosis to treatment. With philanthropic support, we can reduce delays, expand access to care, and give patients answers sooner.” —Alexander Sweidan, MD, FACP, Emilio Viscomi Family Endowed Chair in Pulmonary Medicine

“This gift is about advancing care for patients and families facing lung disease and ensuring they have access to the most innovative treatments and technologies available. Hoag has an extraordinary vision for the future of pulmonary medicine, and I’m proud to help support that mission for generations to come.” —Emilio Viscomi

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, yet screening rates continue to lag far behind those of other major cancers. Alexander Sweidan, MD, FACP,  is helping lead Hoag’s efforts to expand access to lung cancer screening, accelerate pathways from diagnosis to treatment, and advance the use of next-generation technologies and emerging therapies in pulmonary medicine. His work includes the integration of robotic-assisted bronchoscopy, advanced imaging, and real-time diagnostic tools that allow physicians to identify and evaluate lung disease with greater precision and efficiency.

“Because of the remarkable collaboration at Hoag, we are able to determine the best approach for each individual patient and bring the most advanced therapies to them, close to home.” —Simon Khagi, MD, MBA, FACP, Melinda Hoag Smith Endowed Chair in  Neurological Oncology

“Our family’s commitment to Hoag began with a belief that exceptional care should be available to this community, and that belief has guided generations of giving. Supporting cancer care and research has been part of that journey from the very beginning, because we have seen firsthand how innovation can change outcomes and save lives. Through this endowed chair, we are proud to continue that legacy and help advance the next era of discovery and compassionate care at Hoag.”  —Chuck and Melinda Smith

As Medical Director of the Neuro-Oncology Program at the Hoag Family Cancer Institute, Simon Khagi, MD, MBA, FACP, is helping redefine what’s possible for patients facing some of the most aggressive brain tumors. A leader in precision oncology, Dr. Khagi has advanced pioneering clinical trials in glioblastoma and brain metastases, including novel immunotherapies, cell therapy strategies, and technologies designed to overcome the blood-brain barrier—one of the greatest challenges in treating brain cancer. His work includes leading trials using focused ultrasound to enable targeted drug delivery and noninvasive diagnostics. In collaboration with neurosurgical leadership, he is helping build a fully integrated brain tumor program—uniting surgical innovation, translational science, and multidisciplinary care to position Hoag as a destination center for neuro-oncology.

Dr. Khagi is also helping to foster a growing community of advocacy and philanthropy around brain tumor care, including initiatives like Hoag’s partnership with Head for the Cure to support patients and families while advancing awareness and research.

Learn More About Hoag’s Endowed Chair Program

 

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