Hoag invests in specialty care access for underserved patients through the Lestonnac Surgery Center.
Founded over 46 years ago as a small two-room clinic, the Lestonnac Free Clinic provides comprehensive, high-quality healthcare—completely free of charge—to uninsured, underinsured, and low-income individuals across Orange County. Services include primary and specialty medical care, preventive and restorative dental care, vision services, mental health & behavioral services. Lestonnac is one of the few remaining free clinics in California. Vital medical services are made possible by volunteer physicians, dentists, and mental health professionals who generously donate their time and expertise.
Through Lestonnac Free Clinic’s Surgical Access Program they were able to expand services to include surgery services. This removed one of the greatest barriers faced by uninsured and low-income individuals, the inability to obtain medically necessary surgical care. To expand and better sustain this program, Lestonnac Free Clinic opened its new surgery center, a 4,000 square foot, state-of-the-art outpatient facility, in May 2025. This space unites volunteer physicians, surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and operating room staff to deliver procedures and low-risk surgeries at no cost for patients who cannot afford care. Procedures include but are not limited to laparoscopic surgery, ENT, urologic and gynecologic procedures, cataract surgery, and select orthopedic procedures. These procedures aid in restoring health, relieving pain, and preventing long-term disability.
“Both Hoag and Lestonnac Free Clinic are united by a shared mission and vision— to increase access to care and enhance the health of the communities we serve.” – Minzah Malik
Providing access to specialty care services ensures that we support the continuum of care, as it enables patients to receive comprehensive, coordinated support. This leads to improved health outcomes and long term well-being. Through support from Hoag’s Community Benefit Program, the surgery center is able to expand its specialty care services and increase the number of procedures available to Orange County’s uninsured and low-income populations. This investment enables Lestonnac to purchase essential equipment, secure critical supplies, and strengthen key operational functions. Andrea Rodriguez, Associate Director of Lestonnac, reflects on the profound impact of this support, sharing, “Hoag’s support will enable Lestonnac to continue efforts to reach vulnerable populations who might otherwise go without care.”
