Newport Beach, Calif. (July 19, 2013) — Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian today announced a $2.25 million gift from philanthropists Mary and Dick Allen, Margaret and Tom Larkin, and the George Hoag Family Foundation to establish an endowed chair in honor of Dr. Kris V. Iyer, a renowned endocrinologist and executive medical director of the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center at Hoag.
Endowed chairs are a hallmark of great institutions and one of the most prestigious honors that can be bestowed on a physician. Naming the chair in Dr. Iyer’s name is a true testament to his hard work and dedication to the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center.
“Mary and I could think of no greater way to honor Kris’ incredible leadership to Hoag. His passion and commitment to the Diabetes Center and to us personally over the years inspired us to give this meaningful gift. We feel fortunate to support a Chair of this nature as it will provide a legacy of excellence in diabetes care in our community,” said Dick Allen.
“It is my privilege on behalf of the Hoag Family Foundation to pay tribute to Dr. Iyer,” said Charles W. Smith, executive director/secretary, George Hoag Family Foundation. “Dr. Iyer’s dedication to Hoag Hospital, along with his heart for the community and the compassionate care he provides his patients are extraordinary. He is a true asset to Hoag Hospital and the community. We thank him for his continued leadership at Hoag and his friendship throughout the years.”
Dr. Iyer has dedicated his career to improving the treatment of those living with diabetes. As a person with Type 1 diabetes himself, he brings the compassion and commitment to his patients that stems from personal experience. “I am overwhelmed by the generosity and support. To be thought of by friends, colleagues and Hoag supporters as somebody who is worthy of this honor is a very humbling experience,” Dr. Iyer said. “This endowed chair carries responsibilities of reciprocating the honor and trust bestowed upon the chair holder. The person who will receive this endowment must have an extraordinary level of care and commitment to the community to take the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center to the next level.”
Margaret and Tom Larkin have watched Dr. Iyer grow the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center into a center of excellence for diabetes care. “We have a sincere appreciation and admiration of Dr. Iyer’s dedication to his work and we cherish him as a physician, friend and community leader,” said Margaret Larkin.
While historically associated with academic institutions, Hoag now has eight endowed chair positions that are enabling the hospital to expand and improve programs in cancer, cardiac care, memory loss and cognitive impairment, neurosciences, cardiovascular surgery, gastrointestinal disease, breast care, and now diabetes. Each chair allows Hoag to remain on the leading edge of improving technology and health care for its patients.
List of Endowed Chairs at Hoag to Date
• Grace E. Hoag Executive Medical Director Endowed Chair, The Hoag Family Cancer Institute
• Judy & Richard Voltmer Endowed Chair in Memory Loss and Cognitive Disorders, Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute
• Robert & Georgia Roth Endowed Chair for Excellence in Cardiac Care
• Ron & Sandi Simon Executive Medical Director Endowed Chair, Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute
• James & Pamela Muzzy Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Surgery
• James & Pamela Muzzy Endowed Chair in GI Cancer
• Gross Family Foundation Endowed Chair in Oncoplastic Breast Surgery in honor of Dr. Melvin Silverstein
• Dr. Kris V. Iyer Endowed Chair in Diabetes Care, Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center
About Dr. Kris V. Iyer
Kris V. Iyer, M.D. graduated in Medicine and Surgery from University of Bombay. Having completed residency in Internal Medicine and Neurology in India, he obtained a doctorate in Medicine. He then went to England and trained further in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics. Dr. Iyer trained in Internal Medicine at East Tennessee State University and completed his endocrinology fellowship at University of California Irvine. He started his practice at Hoag soon after his fellowship has been involved with patient improvement activities as a member of the emergency room, cancer, medical executive and judicial review committees. He was the Chairman of the Department of Medicine for two terms and was elected Chief of Staff from 2001 to 2003.
Dr. Iyer has been dedicated to improving diabetes care at Hoag for many years, including efforts to help the medication error reduction team develop a standardized insulin order set, participating in the development of intravenous insulin treatment protocols to care for critically ill patients, and leading the Diabetes Care Improvement Team to transform the care of patients with diabetes at Hoag by reducing variations and improving overall care.
About Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian
Hoag is an approximately $1 billion nonprofit, regional health care delivery network in Orange County, California, that treats more than 30,000 inpatients and 350,000 outpatients annually. Hoag consists of two acute-care hospitals, seven health centers, and five urgent care centers. Hoag Hospital Newport Beach, which has served Orange County since 1952, and Hoag Hospital Irvine, which opened in 2010, are designated Magnet hospitals by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Hoag offers a comprehensive blend of health care services that includes five institutes providing specialized services in the following areas: cancer, heart and vascular, neurosciences, women’s health, and orthopedics through Hoag’s affiliate, Hoag Orthopedic Institute. Hoag has been named one of the Best Regional Hospitals in the U.S. News & World Report Metro Edition. National Research Corporation has endorsed Hoag as Orange County’s most preferred hospital for the past 17 consecutive years and, for an unprecedented 17 years, residents of Orange County have chosen Hoag as the county’s best hospital in a local newspaper survey. Visit www.hoag.org for more information.
About the Hoag Hospital Foundation
Thanks in large part to philanthropy, Hoag has become one of the nation’s finest healthcare systems and serves a diverse and growing population. Hoag Hospital Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Hoag (a separate 501(c)(3) corporation), is an integral partner in Hoag’s vision to become a trusted and nationally recognized healthcare leader. Under the direction of a volunteer Board of Directors, the Foundation conducts campaigns and programs that generate more than $40 million per year in gifts and pledges. The Foundation is currently in the planning phase of a campaign with a working goal of $500 million by 2020.
Please visit www.hoaghospitalfoundation.org.
