Lung Cancer Survivor Feels Connected to Hoag
“I was impressed with his expertise with robotic surgery,” she said. “I thought, ‘This is good. I can stay right here and be treated at Hoag.’”
Read Mary's StoryA Diabetes Success Story 75 Years in the Making
“It’s never too late to make a life change.”
Read Sharon's StoryPatient Stories
After a Lifelong Search, Gastroparesis Patient Finds Hope
Within minutes of their first meeting, Caitlin Houghton, M.D., said the words that Brittney Pisanelli, 33, had been hoping to hear for most of her life: “You have options.” “I started crying in her office,” Brittney said. “I had never been told that before. Someone wanted to help me. Someone wanted to help me function … Continued
Read My StoryNurse Becomes First Patient of Hoag’s Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss Program
The weight gain happened slowly, following a back injury that benched the soccer-loving Lori Zaccari at the age of 31. Then health issues started to creep in – rising cholesterol levels and blood pressure, borderline diabetes. By the time Lori Zaccari was 44, her appearance and health had undergone a troubling transformation. She stopped posing … Continued
Read My StoryVirtual Connections Leading the Way
Daniel Diaz, 30, said one blessing in disguise of the COVID-19 pandemic was that his Hoag Type 1 diabetes support group meetings went virtual. He recently moved to San Diego and was upset at the possibility of not going to First Friday gatherings. “I was so sad about it, and then the pandemic hit; I … Continued
Read My StoryGERD Took Its Toll for 30 Years. An Advanced Procedure Gives Patient a New Start.
Frederick Tuerck knew he suffered from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition that causes acid reflux to backwash from the stomach, eroding the lining of the esophagus. Over time, this led to frequent pain traveling from his chest to his spine, leaving him increasingly frustrated. Over the course of 30 years, as he served his … Continued
Read My StoryHow the Epilepsy Team’s Multidisciplinary Approach Restored a Family’s Smile
From her family’s smiling faces, it’s hard to imagine that just months before this photo was taken, Katy Cohen (pictured above on the left) was in and out of the hospital and even placed in a medically induced coma because of a condition that was causing her to rapidly decline. Katy’s youngest child was born at Hoag … Continued
Read My StoryNurse ‘Navigates’ Her Father to Pain-Free Living
When Charlotte Davis’s dad complained about his back, the Hoag Spine Center nurse navigator knew two things: 1. The pain must be really bad for her active father to mention it and 2. Burak Ozgur, M.D., would be able to help. “We were at dinner, and I told her I was scared to death of … Continued
Read My StoryWhen an ER Doctor Battled Cancer During the Pandemic, She Turned to Hoag
“I feel so blessed. Hoag has been such an amazing place to receive care.” At the height of the pandemic, people across the nation stood outside their homes, banging pots and pans and cheering to show their deep appreciation for health care workers. Meanwhile, one of those health care workers sat in a recovery … Continued
Read My StoryHoag Sends Stroke Patient on Road to Recovery
“I was blessed to come to Hoag,” she said. “Dr. Baker has been so kind. He listened. He didn’t rush me. I appreciated that. All my doctors at Hoag have been really good.” In February 2019, Josie Smith started seeing double and developed an earache and toothache. She thought little of it but scheduled an … Continued
Read My StoryHoag Maternal Mental Health Clinic Helps New Mom Overcome ‘Intrusive Thoughts’
“I would tell any new mom that she absolutely deserves to take care of herself and seek the help she needs,” she said. “There are so many resources out there to help her. She’s not alone. Taking that first step can be scary, but I hope she doesn’t hesitate. It’s worthwhile.” Taylor should have been … Continued
Read My StoryIntroducing Mila Rose, One of the First Babies Born at the Fudge Family Birthing Suites at Hoag Hospital Irvine
Everything came together for the birth of Mila Rose Rubalcava. Everything came together for the birth of Mila Rose Rubalcava. Born on Jan. 1, 2021, Mila was one of the first babies to be born in the spacious new Fudge Family Birthing Suites in Irvine. Her mom, Ciara, gave birth without medication, under the guidance … Continued
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