Hoag Welcomes Dr. Linda Nguyen as Chief of Gastroenterology
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (Feb. 9, 2026) – Linda Nguyen, MD, a nationally recognized expert in neurogastroenterology and motility disorders, has been named Chief of Gastroenterology of Hoag’s Digestive Health Institute.
Joining Hoag from Stanford University School of Medicine, Dr. Nguyen will continue to build upon Hoag’s clinical expertise to offer unmatched care in GI motility disorders such as gastroparesis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Dr. Nguyen will further strengthen the Institute’s coordinated, patient-centered care model—uniting experts across gastroenterology, surgery, endocrinology, neurosciences, nutrition, and radiology—and help advance the Institute’s ongoing efforts to adopt leading diagnostic and therapeutic technologies to improve patient outcomes, said Kenneth Chang, MD, the James & Pamela Muzzy Executive Medical Director Endowed Chair in GI Cancer, Digestive Health Institute, at Hoag.
“Dr. Nguyen combines compassion with intellectual curiosity and a drive to find answers to each patient’s individual health concerns,” Dr. Chang said. “Her distinct ability to work closely with patients and piece together the clues about their digestive conditions epitomizes Hoag’s patient-centered approach to care.”
Dr. Nguyen forged her compassionate approach at a young age: Seeing her grandfather and mother face gastrointestinal cancers shaped her calling.
“I saw firsthand the profound connection between the gut, overall health, and quality of life,” she says. “These experiences inspired me to approach medicine with a focus on treating the whole person. At Hoag, I am excited to work in an environment that embraces this holistic approach.”
Dr. Nguyen’s expertise in neurogastroenterology spotlights disorders that affect the nerves of the gut, often grouped as disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBI). These conditions impact approximately 40 percent of the population and can profoundly affect a patient’s quality of life.
“Neurogastroenterology works across disciplines – including endoscopy, gastroenterology, nutrition and neurology – to directly support patients with issues that affect their day-to-day lives, such as functional dyspepsia, gastroparesis, irritable syndrome, and more,” Dr. Nguyen said. “The field is rewarding, and I’m honored to partner with my patients to meaningfully improve their lives.”
Dr. Nguyen’s emphasis on hope, healing, and humility allows patients to feel supported and seen, even when answers are not immediate. Her penchant for teaching and collaboration also extends beyond those in her care, Dr. Chang said.
“We were particularly impressed by Dr. Nguyen’s commitment to mentoring and training the next generation of physicians, her rich clinical and translational research, and her passion for improving her patients’ outcomes every day,” Dr. Chang said.
Dr. Nguyen earned her medical degree from University of California, Los Angeles and completed her internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship training at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, California.
Learn more about Hoag’s Digestive Health Institute.
ABOUT HOAG
Hoag is a nonprofit, regional healthcare delivery system in Orange County, California. Delivering world-class, comprehensive, personalized care, Hoag consists of 1,800 top physicians, 18 urgent care facilities, 13 health & wellness centers, and two award-winning hospitals. Hoag offers a comprehensive blend of healthcare services that includes seven institutes providing specialized services in the following areas: cancer, digestive health, heart and vascular, neurosciences, spine, women’s health, and orthopedics through Hoag’s affiliate, Hoag Orthopedic Institute, which consists of an orthopedic hospital and five ambulatory surgical centers. Hoag is the highest ranked hospital in Orange County by U.S. News & World Report and the only OC hospital ranked in the Top 10 in California, as well as a designated Magnet® with Distinction hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). For more information, visit hoag.org.
