Patient Stories
One Woman’s Positivity Finds a Home in Hoag’s Comprehensive, Compassionate and Innovative Care
We have a choice about how to react to the heartaches of life. We can wallow in the dark places. Or we can, as Christine Lucas has, place the hummingbird feeder in the sunniest part of the garden, find a comfortable chair and enjoy the gift of being human. After losing two partners to cancer, … Read More
Finding Strength and Resilience: Jennifer’s Journey Through Breast Cancer at Hoag
Fall 2023, Jennifer Drinkwater scheduled an appointment with the Hoag Breast Center to get a second opinion on her small, non-invasive breast cancer diagnosis. Upon further screening, board certified fellowship-trained breast surgeon Dr. Elizabeth Kraft, discovered Jennifer had been misdiagnosed. Jennifer was diagnosed with HER2-positive invasive breast cancer, which had spread to her lymph node. … Read More
Crohn’s Patient – and New Mom – Puts Her Trust in Hoag
Teddi Lamons' inspiring journey to motherhood amidst her battle with severe ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease highlights the exceptional, patient-centered care at Hoag’s Digestive Health Institute. Guided by Dr. Hwang and Dr. Raskin, Teddi navigated her complex health challenges to safely welcome her daughter, Florence 'Flossie' Lamons, into the world. This heartfelt story underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing high-risk pregnancies and chronic conditions.
The Road to Parenthood: Grateful Patient Grows With Hoag
As a young sixteen-year-old starting her health journey, Kailyn Hutchinson first crossed paths with Hoag OB/GYN, Lisa Karamardian, M.D., Jeffrey M. Carlton Endowed Chair in Women’s Health, in honor of Dr. Anne M. Kent and medical director of Maternal Child Health at Hoag Hospital. Little did Kailyn know that this initial meeting would mark the … Read More
Maternal Patient is Grateful for Access to Hoag at Home Postpartum+
As a first-time mother, Sydney Linden found great comfort in Hoag at Home Postpartum+. She was amazed at the direct access and immediate responses the Postpartum+ team offered following the birth of her son. Anytime, day or night, the Hoag team was available to answer questions and ease concerns that came with navigating the journey … Read More
Patient Receives Unique Gift for Postpartum Support
Molly Brooks had no idea what to expect from a unique baby shower gift that gave her access to Hoag at Home Postpartum+, but she quickly fell in love with all the services it has to offer before and after birth. The Postpartum+ team, including Anne Ray, M.D., and Erica Golden, F.N.P., provided quality care … Read More
Maternal Mental Health Patient Is Grateful for Her Experience
Asked why she chose to seek out the Hoag Maternal Mental Health Program, Sarah Levine describes a day in her life. Picture the scene: It’s smack-dab in the middle of one of those random heat waves and the air conditioning goes out (because, of course it does). Sarah is in the kitchen with twin babies … Read More
Hoag 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 … Read More
Introducing 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 … Read More
Hoag Turns Isolating Experience into Meaningful One for Mom on Bedrest During COVID
“I really felt cared for,” Trisha said. “The nurses would listen to me. They would cry with me. They would tell me their stories, too. What was going on in their families and things that they were missing out on. It felt like I was talking to friends. They made me feel like I was family and not somebody they were just checking off a list.”