Q&A with Steve Muzzy, New Hoag Hospital Foundation Board Chair
Steve reflects on his family’s multigenerational support of Hoag, the importance of philanthropic investment, and the community’s role in advancing world-class care.
Longtime Hoag volunteer leader and supporter Steve Muzzy began his two-year term as chair of the Hoag Hospital Foundation Board of Directors this month. His family’s legacy of generosity—from elevating programs and endowing chairs to supporting fellowships—has helped make Hoag the nationally recognized healthcare destination it is today. In this Q&A, Steve shares what inspires his commitment, his vision as board chair, and why philanthropy is more critical than ever as the Boldly Hoag campaign accelerates and the completion of Hoag’s Sun Family Campus draws near.
Q: What has inspired your family’s multigenerational giving and partnership with Hoag?
A: For our family, philanthropy has always been very personal. It started with my parents and then carried over to me and my brothers. Hoag has been our community hospital for as long as I can remember. It’s where we’ve received care, where family members work, and where we’ve built real relationships. Early on, we supported clinical areas that touched us directly, focusing on experiences we had firsthand as a family. Over time, our focus broadened. By staying connected with Hoag’s clinicians and leaders and understanding evolving needs, we’ve been able to make thoughtful decisions about where our family’s giving can do the most good.
Q: What opportunities does board involvement give you and other Hoag volunteer leaders?
A: Being involved on the board turns philanthropy into a hands-on opportunity to create impact. We can ask more questions, understand where the greatest needs are, and help connect the right people and resources to those opportunities. One thing I really care about is engagement—having board leaders who are actively involved, who bring their experience and their perspectives to the table. When that happens, it helps us show others how they can make an impact as well.
Q: What do you see as unique qualities of patient care at Hoag and how can philanthropy amplify them?
A: I’m excited about supporting Hoag’s privademic model of care. It’s that ability to combine the innovation of an academic center with the personalized touch of a private healthcare system. That’s a huge differentiator for us. As chair, I want to continue shaping ways we can support that model. Philanthropy is what allows Hoag to do even more research and clinical trials. It gives physicians the resources to explore and look at new methods and solutions. Because of donor support, Hoag can attract those physician-scientists, invest in discovery, and deliver better healthcare.
Q: The Sun Family Campus expansion in Irvine is nearing completion in 2026. Why do you think this is such an exciting milestone for Hoag and for the community?
A: This is a milestone for Hoag but even more for people in South Orange County, who will have Hoag care closer to them. It’s more than adding new space—it’s about what will happen inside those campus walls: advanced programs, leading physicians, and technology that will elevate care across the region. This moment is exciting because it sets the stage for decades of innovation, access, and better health outcomes. This campus represents the future of healthcare in this region, and it’s energizing to see it coming to life.
Q: How do you see philanthropy further shaping Hoag’s future and the impact it can have on the community?
A: Simply put, philanthropy gives Hoag the ability to do even more for the community. The Sun Family Campus in Irvine is a perfect example—so many generous donors have invested because they can see the positive change it will make: more people helped, more medical breakthroughs, and greater access to care. Even as we look forward to the completion of the Sun Family Campus, the Boldly Hoag campaign is still underway, giving everyone a chance to give their support and make their mark on this next chapter of healthcare. This is about advancing medicine at Hoag to serve all of us.
