​NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – June 4, 2014 – Hoag Hospital Foundation has received a $1 million gift from grateful patient James Emmi and his wife Catherine, of Corona del Mar, who have supported the hospital every year since 1976.

“Twenty-five years of teaching kindergarten tugs at my heart and makes me want to give back,” said Catherine Emmi. “Jimmy and I have a deep affection for Hoag and feel it is important to support the community we call home.”

Robert T. Braithwaite, president and CEO of Hoag along with Michael N. Brant-Zawadzki, M.D., F.A.C.R., who holds the Ron and Sandi Simon Executive Medical Director Endowed Chair at Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute, were present to accept the $1 million check from the Emmis that will go to support the Hoag Neurosciences Institute.

“The Emmis have made a true commitment to advancing health in Orange County and beyond,” says Braithwaite. “Their incredible history of support for Hoag for the past 38 years is exemplary and we are forever grateful for this most generous gift that will allow Hoag to continue to be the leader in innovative and advanced neurological care.”

Nationally recognized, Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute is an integrated, multidisciplinary team approach to disorders of the brain, nerves and spine using the best evidence-based clinical care, state-of-the-art technology, and advanced clinical research, all focused on the individual patient need. The Emmi’s gift will help the Institute continue to recruit the finest physicians to expand and coordinate neurological patient care in easily accessible and comforting facilities.

“We believe that innovation is a key ingredient to success in optimal healthcare delivery,” says Dr. Brant-Zawadzki. “The Emmi’s gift allows the Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute to provide innovated models that will not only improve care in this community, but will influence the way both in-patient and out-patient neurological care is delivered around the country.”

James Emmi is the retired president of Kimberly Development Company, and a longtime manager of apartment properties in Orange County. He has served on numerous Boards of Trustees, including the Pacific Symphony and Chapman University. An avid sailor, he has participated in many yacht races over the years and has served as commodore of the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club.

A teacher all her life, Catherine Emmi is passionate about education and the pursuit of lifelong learning. Catherine earned her B.A. and B.Ed. degrees from the University of Saskatchewan and her M.Ed. from Pepperdine University. Catherine contributes her time to various committees for local nonprofit organizations that include the Pacific Symphony Support League, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Women of Chapman, Pacific Chorale, Orange County High School for the Arts, and MIND Research Institute.

In addition to Hoag, the Emmis have supported an extensive list of organizations that include Pacific Symphony, UC Berkeley, Share Our Selves, Caltech, MIND Research Institute, Mission San Juan Capistrano, Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Girls Inc., Newport Beach Performing Arts Theater Foundation, Newport Beach Public Library, Chapman University, and Orange County Museum of Art.

The Emmis hope their gift will inspire others to give back. “Every gift, large or small, stands out and makes a difference,” said James Emmi.

For more information on supporting Hoag, visit www.hoaghospitalfoundation.org.

About 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 visitwww.hoaghospitalfoundation.org.

About Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian

Hoag is an approximately $1 billion nonprofit, regional health care delivery network in Orange County, California, that treats nearly 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. In 2013, Hoag entered into an alliance with St. Joseph Health to further expand health care services in the Orange County Community. 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 18 consecutive years and, for an unprecedented 18 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.