Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute
Our Stories

Where you receive stroke care matters. In fact, successful recovery from stroke is directly linked to best-in-class diagnosis and treatment. Fortunately for our community, Hoag’s inpatient stroke program ranks in the top five percent in the nation. However, inpatient acute stroke care is only the beginning. Once the danger has passed, patients face a long rehabilitation and recovery process. 

Perhaps no one knows that better than Hoag Promise Campaign volunteer and generous donor, Gary Fudge. After Gary’s treatment at Hoag for a hemorrhagic stroke in November 2010, his son and daughter researched local rehabilitation facilities to determine the best option. Frustrated by limited choices that failed to meet the standards the family was accustomed to at Hoag, they reluctantly opted for home care. 

Filling a Gap 

Until now, Hoag stroke patients have had to leave Hoag for post-acute stroke rehab. The same is true for those with brain injuries and other conditions that require long-term rehabilitation. Thanks to donor support, Hoag is changing that. With the help of significant support from a fully recovered Gary, Hoag is starting construction of the Fudge Family Acute Rehabilitation Center. 

“I remember when I first heard about this project at a Hoag Promise Campaign Committee meeting,” muses Gary. “The longer I listened, the more I realized that this would be a greatly transformational program for our community. Everything patients need will be right here in the very pleasant and comfortable Hoag setting that they trust.” 

Good Business 

The community’s need for post-acute care rehabilitation services is growing. Last year, Hoag discharged over 400 patients to outlying acute rehabilitation centers. Hoag is locating the Fudge Family Acute Rehabilitation Center in unused clinical space on the third floor in the north tower of Hoag Hospital Newport Beach. 

Repurposing unused space also appealed to Gary. “Being a business person,” shares Gary, “I like the idea that we are taking what had been unproductive space at the hospital and finding a wonderful use for it to serve the community.” 

Care Across the Continuum 

When complete in mid-2018, the new Fudge Family Acute Rehabilitation Center will feature residential post-acute care for patients after acute stroke, brain tumor surgery, intracranial bleeds, spine surgery, head trauma and other eligible conditions. It will provide neurological, orthopedic and traumatic brain injury patients with a streamlined and comprehensive continuum of care. 

“We are very grateful to Gary Fudge for his inspired philanthropy that will have a direct and positive impact on so many,” says Michael Brant-Zawadzki, MD, FACR, Ron & Sandi Simon Executive Medical Director Endowed Chair, Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute and senior physician executive, Hoag.