After a two-year hiatus, the highly anticipated Hoag Summer Fest returned on Wednesday, June 22 from 5-8 p.m. at Newport Dunes, with the Hoag Hospital Foundation welcoming more than 1,500 guests at this year’s beach-themed sold-out event. In addition to live entertainment by Orange County party rock band Tijuana Dogs and a virtual raffle, dozens of top local restaurants showcased their culinary concepts in small bites. Funds raised from the evening will benefit the Hoag Employee Education Scholarship Program, which supports Hoag staff in achieving their career aspirations through the pursuit of advanced education.
“We’re glad to see Hoag Summer Fest return. For 34 years, it’s not only served to benefit Hoag patients but also bring the community together for a night of fantastic food, fun and entertainment,” said Flynn A. Andrizzi, Ph.D., president of the Hoag Hospital Foundation. “We are incredibly grateful for our community partners who continue to help Hoag lead in transforming the future of health care here in Orange County and beyond.”
Chairing this year’s Hoag Summer Fest were former Hoag administrator Gabrielle White and James Caillouette, M.D., Joan & Andy Fimiano Endowed Chair in Orthopedic Surgery and chairman of the Hoag Orthopedic Institute board of directors. Both are longtime leaders at Hoag and part of a group of founding supporters of the Hoag Employee Education Scholarship Program. The program provides scholarships of up to $5,000 for non-nursing employees – two-thirds of Hoag’s workforce – to offset tuition, material costs and other expenses of earning a degree, diploma, license or certificate related to an employee’s career at Hoag.
“We want to be an institution of lifelong learning. If we’re always learning, we’re always getting better,” said Dr. Caillouette.
The virtual raffle included exclusive, one-of-a-kind experiences, premium items and gift packages. This year’s grand prize raffle item was a one-year lease of a new 2022 BMW X3 sDrive30i, courtesy of Sterling BMW of Newport Beach.
The 2022 Hoag Summer Fest restaurant partners who donated their time, talent, food and beverage included: Argaux, A + O Restaurant/Bar at Balboa Bay Beach Resort & Club, Bluewater Grill & Oyster Bar, The Bungalow Restaurant, Cannery Seafood of the Pacific, Chaak, El Cholo, FishBonz Seafood Grill, Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen, Gracias Madre, Hi-Time Wine Cellars, Lido Bottle Works, Louie’s by the Bay, Milk & Cookies, Morning Lavender Café, Newport Rib Company, Oliver’s Osteria, Otaca Tequila, Starfish, Straub Beer Stations, W Café & Restaurant, Zeytoon and Zotovich Vineyards and Winery.
Hoag Hospital Foundation thanks its generous community partners and underwriters for making Hoag Summer Fest possible.
