Hoag Orthopedics
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NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., October 22, 2015 --- Hoag Hospital Foundation announced the establishment of endowed chairs in Orthopedic Surgery and Urologic Oncology, underscoring Hoag’s national leadership in innovative treatment and research -- and the critical role community philanthropy plays in making them possible.

James T. Caillouette, M.D., was named the Joan & Andy Fimiano Endowed Chair in Orthopedic Surgery. Jeffrey S. Yoshida, M.D., was named the Benjamin & Carmela Du Endowed Chair in Urologic Oncology.

The gift from Andy and Joan Fimiano recognizes and honors Dr. Caillouette for his work in health care economics and reform, along with the design of next-generation hip and knee implants. The gift will enable Dr. Caillouette -- chief strategy officer of the Hoag Orthopedic Institute -- to expand outreach, education, research, recruitment and treatment through Hoag’s Orthopedic Education & Research Institute.

“We are so grateful to have the opportunity to recognize Dr. Caillouette, one of the finest orthopedic surgeons in the region,” Andy Fimiano said. “As a result of his leadership and inspiration, Hoag Orthopedic Institute has become an outstanding national model for orthopedic programs. Joan and I know Dr. Caillouette will use his endowed chair as a platform for expanding his research and recruitment and, most important of all, for improving treatment and outcomes for Hoag’s patients.”

“The goal of our gift is to enable Dr. Caillouette to share his expertise so that it benefits more people. Basically, we need to clone him,” Joan Fimiano said with a smile. She and her husband were both treated several years ago by Dr. Caillouette. In addition to Dr. Caillouette’s surgical expertise, Joan Fimiano said she was impressed by his skills as “a good listener who truly puts his patients’ needs and concerns above everything else.”

“I'm very honored to be named the first chair in orthopedic surgery. I’ve spent my entire career at Hoag and I’m now in my 28th year,” Dr. Caillouette said. “When I joined the staff at Hoag, we performed fewer than 200 joint replacements a year. Today, Hoag Orthopedic Institute performs thousands of joint replacements every year. I've had an opportunity to participate, along with my colleagues, in growing this institution and it has been very rewarding. I have worked with the Fimianos for many years, and I’m thrilled to represent their generosity to the community.”

Dr. Yoshida was named the Benjamin & Carmela Du Endowed Chair in Urologic Oncology, made possible by the Dus’ $2.25 million gift. As program director of urologic oncology at Hoag Family Cancer Institute, Dr. Yoshida plays a key role in the growth of site-specific programs for urologic malignancies, which include prostate, kidney, bladder and testicular cancers. He also is an expert in robotic surgery and has performed more than 1,900 surgeries to date.

“Dr. Yoshida’s groundbreaking research on preventive medicine and care gives hope and healing to thousands of people with cancer, and we’re honored that our gift will help him and Hoag expand his important work,” Benjamin Du said. Carmela Du added: “We chose to support an endowment for Dr. Yoshida because not only is he very talented and forward thinking, but he’s also a visionary in his approach to health care.”

“Being appointed as an endowed chair is one of the highest distinctions a physician can receive, and I was shocked -- and thrilled -- when I learned about the Dus’ remarkable gift,” Dr. Yoshida said.

“This gift will allow us to conduct comprehensive urologic cancer research including clinical trials, with the initial research focusing on ‘active surveillance’ of prostate cancer,” Dr. Yoshida continued. “We will be able to offer state of the art imaging, biomarker testing and a clinical research platform to optimize this approach to prostate cancer management. This will not only improve our ability to monitor cancers but it may also alleviate anxiety that men experience when on active surveillance. The Dus generous gift will take our vision and make it a reality.”

“We are honored to recognize Dr. Caillouette and Dr. Yoshida as the newest endowed chairs at Hoag,” said Flynn A. Andrizzi, Ph.D., president of Hoag Hospital Foundation and senior vice president of Hoag. “Thanks to the commitment, determination, and the collective power of wonderful donors like the Fimianos and Dus, we can continue to provide the highest quality health care to the communities we serve.”

An endowed chair investiture ceremony and white coat processional took place on Wednesday, Oct. 21 to recognize the appointments of Dr. Yoshida and Dr. Caillouette and honor the transformational donors Carmela and Benjamin Du and Joan and Andy Fimiano. The ceremony also celebrated Melvin Silverstein, M.D., F.A.C.S., holder of the Gross Family Foundation Endowed Chair in Oncoplastic Breast Surgery which was previously announced and awarded. In his remarks, Dr. Silverstein recognized and thanked Sue and Bill Gross for their generosity.

While historically associated with academic institutions, Hoag now has eleven endowed chair positions that are enabling the organization to expand and improve programs in cancer, cardiac care, memory loss and cognitive impairment, neurosciences, cardiovascular surgery, gastrointestinal disease, diabetes, breast care and women’s health services. Supporting Hoag’s extraordinary leaders with endowed chairs is a key fundraising priority of Hoag Promise, Our Campaign to Lead, Innovate & Transform.