Hoag is the first in the world to be named a Center of Excellence in Oncoplastic Breast Surgery.
When a woman hears the words “breast cancer”, the road ahead can feel impossibly narrow. But thanks to the longtime generosity of donors, Hoag has pioneered a new pathway through oncoplastic breast surgery, recently receiving recognition for setting a global standard in care.
Last month, Hoag was named the world’s first Center of Excellence in Oncoplastic Breast Surgery by the Surgical Review Corporation, a global nonprofit dedicated to patient safety and surgical quality. This innovative surgical approach combines oncoplastic and plastic surgery techniques into a single procedure, allowing surgeons to safely remove cancerous tumors while simultaneously reshaping and preserving the breast—minimizing the need for additional surgeries and enhancing outcomes.
The prestigious designation is a milestone that belongs as much to Hoag’s community of supporters as it does to the surgeons who made it possible. It represents nearly 20 years of development, beginning with the groundbreaking work of Melvin Silverstein, MD, FACS, retired former medical director of the Hoag Breast Center and the inaugural chair holder of the Gross Family Foundation Endowed Chair in Oncoplastic Breast Surgery.
In 2024, donor investment established Hoag as the first hospital in the nation to offer a dedicated oncoplastic breast surgery fellowship. Thanks to significant contributions from the Muzzy family and other generous donors, the Advanced Oncoplastic Breast Fellowship Program trains the next generation of breast surgeons at Hoag, equipping fellows to carry forward this leading-edge technique by bringing it to patients across the country as they advance in their careers.
Sadia Khan, DO, medical director of Breast Surgical Oncology, co-director of the oncoplastic breast surgery fellowship program, and a former Muzzy Family Endowed Fellow in Oncoplastic Breast Surgery, said, "Being recognized as a Center of Excellence affirms Hoag's commitment to delivering care that is both oncologically rigorous and deeply patient-centered.”
Her co-director, Nirav Savalia, MD, medical director of Oncoplastic & Aesthetic Breast Surgery, added, “The Center of Excellence designation not only recognizes Hoag's quality of care but also has the potential to inspire other institutions to expand access to this important option for women.”
Philanthropy continues to make all of this and more possible at Hoag—from specialists that serve women across Orange County to the standard of care that now bears Hoag’s name worldwide.
