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chevron leftPickup Family Neurosciences Institute

Hoag Comprehensive Stroke Program

1 Hoag Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92663

(949) 764-6066

  • About
  • Understanding Strokes
  • Diagnostics & Treatment
  • Education & Resources
  • Meet the Team

Hoag’s nationally recognized, comprehensive Stroke Program is led by full-time neurohospitalists who specialize in advanced stroke management and intervention, and continue to develop best practice care pathways for optimal outcomes.

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Know the Symptoms of Stroke

Recognizing the signs of a stroke can save a life—including your own. Every minute counts, and quick action can make the difference between recovery and lasting disability. Learn how to spot the warning signs with the BE FAST acronym and know when to call 911 immediately.

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Patient Education Workbook

If you or someone you know has had a stroke, we've created a helpful resource to keep you well-informed to make decisions around your health care.

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What is your risk of having a stroke?

Take our online health risk assessment to discover your risk of having a stroke. After taking this assessment, you'll get more information on what your next steps should be.

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Stroke Signs, Symptoms and Risk Factors

Diagnosing and Treating Stroke

Meet the Stroke Team

The Stroke Program of Hoag’s Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute

Hoag is an Orange County Emergency Medical Services designated Stroke Neurology Receiving Center (SNRC) and one of the busiest stroke centers in Orange County, with over a thousand cases each year. Our Newport Beach hospital has been designated as a DNV Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center, with our Irvine hospital designated as a DNV Certified Primary Stroke Center. We utilize the latest technologies, comprehensive stroke experts, and an experienced support team for rapid diagnosis and stroke rescue. We have documented top-tier outcomes for stroke patients. We have benchmarked our outcomes against other comprehensive stroke centers and abide by the Get With the Guidelines standards from the American Heart Association. Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as high performing for Neurology & Neurosurgery in 2025-2026 as well as a High Performing Hospital in Stroke.
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Certified Stroke Center

The DNV Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification is given to esteemed hospitals that have specific abilities to receive and treat the most complex stroke cases from the initial and rapid diagnosis, advanced and state-of-the-art treatment, comprehensive rehabilitation program and community wide stroke education.
Brain scans

Stroke Care Excellence

Hoag is consistently ranked among the best hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, which rated Hoag’s stroke services as high performing. The departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery are among the hospital’s many nationally top-ranked specialties. Hoag Hospital Newport Beach was certified as a Primary Stroke Center in January 2009 and then certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by DNV Healthcare USA, Inc. in October 2016.
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From Rapid Response to Rehabilitation

At Hoag, stroke care begins the moment you arrive. Every patient who comes through our Emergency Department is placed on our Stroke Protocol, which ensures rapid assessment, lab testing, and brain imaging within 20 minutes. This fast response helps guide the best possible treatment right away. Our dedicated Stroke Team includes highly trained nurses, nurse navigators, and psychological counselors who provide both medical expertise and emotional support for patients and families. Beyond emergency care, Hoag offers post-acute rehabilitation with nurses and therapists experienced in stroke recovery, helping patients regain independence and quality of life. Our specialists meet every month in a multidisciplinary case conference where physicians, nurses, and care teams review cases and share the latest advancements. This ongoing commitment to collaboration and innovation is one reason why Hoag’s stroke outcomes are consistently recognized as among the best in the nation.
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Patient Testimonial Carousel

“It was phenomenal; everyone was so warm and expeditious. They were candid that there was a risk to my baby, but calmly and consistently reassured me that they were doing everything they could to ensure a positive outcome.”

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          Your Stroke Care Starts Here

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          What is Stroke?

          A stroke is a serious medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted or blocked, leading to brain cell damage. Strokes can be caused by a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or a burst blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). Immediate medical attention is crucial to minimize long-term effects and improve recovery outcomes.

          Understanding Types of Strokes

          Ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke, making up nearly 9 out of 10 cases. It happens when a blood clot or a buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) blocks an artery that carries blood to the brain. Without blood flow, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and nutrients, leading to damage within minutes.
          Causes and risk factors include:

          • Blood clots that travel from the heart (often linked to atrial fibrillation or heart valve disease)
          • Narrowing of the arteries due to atherosclerosis (plaque buildup)
          • High blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and high cholesterol

          A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a weakened blood vessel bursts, causing bleeding in or around the brain. This bleeding puts pressure on brain tissue and can cause significant damage.
          Causes and risk factors include:

          • Uncontrolled high blood pressure (the leading cause)
          • Aneurysms (weakened, bulging blood vessels that can rupture)
          • Arteriovenous malformations (abnormal tangles of blood vessels in the brain)
          • Blood-thinning medications or bleeding disorders

          Often called a “mini-stroke,” a TIA happens when blood flow to part of the brain is temporarily blocked, usually for just a few minutes. Unlike a stroke, a TIA doesn’t cause permanent damage, but it is a critical warning sign. Up to one-third of people who experience a TIA will go on to have a full stroke, often within the first year.
          Causes and risk factors include:

          The same risk factors as ischemic stroke (blood clots, atherosclerosis, atrial fibrillation)

          Short-term narrowing of a blood vessel due to plaque or a small clot that quickly dissolves

          Signs & Symptoms of a Stroke

          Recognizing the symptoms of a stroke can help save lives. Use the FAST acronym to identify the warning signs:

          Be FAST

          • B – Balance: Sudden loss of balance or dizziness

          • E – Eyes: Sudden blurred vision or loss of vision

          • F – Face: Sudden facial droop or uneven smile

          • A – Arm: Sudden arm weakness or arm numbness

          • S – Speech: Sudden slurred, sudden difficulty speaking or understanding

          • T – Time: If you notice these signs, call 911 and get to the hospital immediately.

          Other stroke symptoms include sudden confusion, difficulty walking, loss of balance, severe headaches, and vision problems.

          Take Action: Stroke Prevention & Early Detection

          Preventing a stroke starts with a healthy lifestyle and regular checkups. Reduce your risk by:

          Managing high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.

          Adopting a heart-healthy diet and staying physically active.

          Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol intake.

          Monitoring irregular heart rhythms (atrial fibrillation) that can lead to stroke.

          Screenshot-2025-04-10-at-2.00.09 PM

          When you have a stroke, every minute counts

          Hoag’s Stroke Program offers a comprehensive, rapid response approach to stroke care. With an expert stroke team, cutting-edge diagnostics, and advanced imaging technologies, Hoag ensures precise diagnosis and timely treatment, significantly improving patient outcomes.

          Endovascular Intervention

          As a leader in acute stroke care, Hoag provides a full range of minimally invasive endovascular techniques for both the prevention and treatment of stroke. Early detection of stroke risk includes the use of ultrasound to look for silent blockage in the arteries leading to the brain.

          Carotid stenting is a preventive procedure for certain high-risk patients with such blockages, where post balloon angioplasty, a sleeve made of fine metal mesh, or stent, is fitted inside the newly opened carotid artery in order to hold the artery open and restore blood flow to the brain.

          Hoag also specializes in preventive treatment of potentially explosive weak spots in the arteries of the brain. Such weak spots, or aneurysms, can be found on CT or MRI scans. Endovascular coiling or injection of other substances may be a treatment option for patients with hemorrhagic stroke—the type of stroke caused by bleeding in the brain either due to an aneurysm or other blood vessel malformations.

          Innovative Ischemic Stroke Treatment

          More than 80% of all acute strokes are caused by blood clots. One treatment option for stroke is Tenecteplase (TKNase), a medication that helps dissolve blood clots. To be effective, TNKase must be administered within 4.5 hours from the onset of symptoms or Last Known well time. That’s why it’s so important for individuals to seek immediate emergency treatment at the first sign of stroke.

          For strokes caused by an occlusion in the large arteries in the brain, thrombectomy of the clot can be performed up to 24 hours from when the patient was Last Seen Normal (without stroke symptoms) if the patient meets criteria for this.

          Mechanical clot retrieval devices include stent retrievers and suction devices.

          Armed with these devices and an extended treatment window, Hoag Hospital neuro interventionalists are successfully helping a broadened patient population to improve neurologic recovery and reduce the incidence of disability resulting from acute ischemic stroke.

          Comprehensive Stroke Treatment & Recovery

          Hoag’s Stroke Program provides cutting-edge care to help patients recover and regain independence. A key to recovering from a stroke is early physical, occupational, speech, and cognitive rehabilitation. Our services include:

          • Emergency Stroke Treatment: Rapid response care, including clot-busting medications (thrombolytics) and surgical interventions. Hoag utilizes their Interventional Neuroradiology team to remove blood clots that cause stroke.

          • Stroke Rehabilitation at Hoag’s Family Fudge Acute Rehabilitation Center: For those patients who need additional physical and occupational therapy for stroke recovery after their stay in the hospital, patients can be referred to our Family Fudge Acute Rehabilitation Center. Personalized therapy programs, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, will be implemented to improve mobility and communication.

          • Advanced Neurological Care: Specialists in stroke neurology provide long-term management and secondary stroke prevention.

          • Lifestyle & Preventative Care: Education on stroke risk factors, including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and high cholesterol, to prevent future strokes.

          Why Choose Hoag’s Stroke Program?

          Rapid Response Stroke Team:

          • Includes ER physicians, neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, critical care physicians, and specialty-trained nurses.

          • On-site neurology hospitalists and interventional neuroradiologists provide specialized care.

          Advanced Diagnostic & Treatment Techniques:

          • Fast evaluation and treatment using leading-edge technology.

          • Early intervention improves survival rates and reduces permanent damage and disability.

          State-of-the-Art Imaging Technology:

          • Multi-detector 64-slice CT and 3Tesla MRI scanners for high-resolution brain imaging.

          • Angiography & ultrasound detect blocked vessels and affected brain areas.

          • Sophisticated brain imaging provides real-time insights into brain structures and blood flow.

          Hoag's Stroke Care Awards

          Hoag has been awarded the Stroke Gold PLUS Performance Achievement Award by the American Stroke Association for over a decade running. In addition, Hoag achieved the Target Stroke Honor Roll Elite Award and the Target Stroke Honor Roll Advanced Therapy Award by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. This award recognizes the accomplishment of Door to Device Times of 90 minutes or less in 50% or more of all thrombectomy cases.

          Get With the Guidelines by the American Heart Association is an in-hospital program for improving stroke care. With seven Get With the Guidelines achievement measures, these awards recognize those hospitals that meet at least 85% compliance. Gold designation recognizes performance and compliance for 24 consecutive months or more. Learn more at Heart.org

          GWTG TS ELITE-ADT-TT2D-PLUS 2025 Gold 4C
          DNV Comprehensive Stroke Center
          DNV Primary Stroke Center
          Emblem-Hospitals-Procedures Conditions Stroke-year

          Know Your Risk

          Know Your Risk - Stroke

          Hoag Support Groups

          Stroke Hybrid Support Group

          This group offers support for stroke survivors, caregivers, family members, and friends. Virtual meetings are held via Zoom on the 4th Thursday of every month from 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. For more information call 949-764-3623

          To register and get a link to the meetings visit: Stroke Virtual Support Group Registration

          Brain Aneurysm & AVM Virtual Support Group

          This group is for Brain Aneurysm & AVM Survivors, those diagnosed but not yet ready for treatment, and immediate family members or caregivers.

          Virtual meetings are held via Zoom on the 2nd Wednesday of every other month from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. For more information call 949-764-3628

          To register and get a link to the meetings visit: Brain Aneurysm & AVM Virtual Support Group Registration

          Click To View Stroke Workbook here

          Local & National Oragnizations

          In addition, the following organizations are provided as resources and are not associated with Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian or Hoag Neurosciences Institute.

          • American Stroke Association https://www.stroke.org/

          • National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/stroke

          • Stroke Support Association https://strokesupportassoc.org/community-resources-for-survivors-of-stroke-2/

          • Orange County Caregiver Resource Center https://www.caregiveroc.org/

          • Orange County Office on Aging Family Caregiver Support Program https://www.officeonaging.ocgov.com/page/family-caregiver-support-program

          • Orange County Social Services Agency In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) https://www.ssa.ocgov.com/elderdisabled-home-services/home-supportive-services

          Additional Resources

          • Brain Aneurysm Foundation https://www.bafound.org

          • National Aphasia Association https://www.aphasia.org

          • Hoag Sleep Health Program https://www.hoag.org/sleep

          • Hoag Outpatient Rehabilitation Services https://www.hoag.org/specialties-services/other-programs-services/outpatient-rehabilitation-services/

          • Hoag Driver Re-Training Program https://www.hoag.org/specialties-services/other-programs-services/outpatient-rehabilitation-services/services/occupational-therapy/driving-assessment-training/

          • Hoag Smoking Cessation Resources https://www.hoag.org/specialties-services/other-programs-services/smoking-cessation/

          Reduce Your Risk of Stroke

          If it’s high, work with your doctor to lower it.

          One in three Americans has high blood pressure, but one out of every five doesn’t know they have it.

          Known ominously as “the silent killer,” high blood pressure has no symptoms. Diet and exercise are essential to keeping your blood pressure low. Other important factors include staying away from cigarettes, limiting salt and alcohol, and maintaining a healthy weight.

          Over 5 million Americans have an irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation (also referred to as AFib) – a serious heart rhythm disorder that causes the heart’s two upper chambers to contract very fast and irregularly. More than 12 million Americans are projected to have Afib by 2030, and are associated with 15-20% of ischemic strokes.

          The chaotic rhythm that occurs with atrial fibrillation inhibits efficient blood flow into the ventricles of the heart. As a result, the heart’s upper and lower chambers don’t work together as they should. If left untreated, chronic AFib can lead to serious complications, such as stroke, heart failure and death.

          Smoking affects your metabolism and the chemistry of your blood vessels in several ways, all of which put you at increased risk for stroke. According to the CDC, smoking approximately doubles a person’s risk for stroke. Even the occasional cigarette or exposure to secondhand smoke increases your risk.But don’t think it’s too late to undo years of damage. When you quit smoking, your stroke risk drops significantly within just a year.

          Hoag offers a smoking cessation program to the community, to partner with individuals when taking this important step. To learn more, call 949-764-5511 .

          The vast majority of healthcare professionals agree that drinking more than one to two drinks per day can increase stroke risk and lead to other medical problems. Although, some believe that one alcoholic drink a day may lower a person’s risk. Since conflicting research exists about alcohol use and its effect against stroke, it is best to talk to your doctor before consuming alcoholic drinks regularly.

          If you drink excessively and are concerned that you may have a problem, go to Addiction Medicine​ to find out how to get help. To learn more, call 949-764-5656 .

          If so, work with your doctor to control it.

          Cholesterol, a waxy substance in the bloodstream and in the cells of our body, isn’t all bad. In fact, “good” cholesterol (HDL) plays an important role in keeping you healthy by clearing “bad” cholesterol (LDL) from your arteries. How can you increase the good and decrease the bad? Exercising regularly and limiting saturated fat and cholesterol is a good start.

          Avoid too many animal products such as red meats and full-fat dairy. Limiting trans fats and substituting them with healthier fats such as certain vegetable oils can also help.

          While simple diet and exercise changes are enough for many people, others may find benefit from a prescription for cholesterol-lowering medication.

          Adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have a stroke than those without diabetes, according to the American Heart Association.

          If you have diabetes, you can lower your risk by keeping your blood glucose (sugar), blood pressure and cholesterol under control by planning your meals, exercising and proper medication. The closer you are to your target levels in these areas, the better your chances of preventing a stroke.​

          Hoag offers a diabetes program ​ to help individuals​ living with diabetes. To learn more, call 949-764-8065 .

          Just 2 ½ hours of mild to moderate exercise each week can reduce your risk of fatal disease by helping you to control your weight, your blood pressure and your cholesterol, and by staving off diabetes.

          Exercise also helps you look and feel great – not a bad side effect.

          This doesn’t mean you have to become a marathon runner overnight. Physical activities such as gardening, taking the stairs instead of the elevator and walking the dog all count toward healthier living.

          Consumption of foods high in salt, fat, and cholesterol increases your risk for stroke.

          Extra sodium in your diet, from table salt and many processed and canned foods, is linked to hypertension. So try to eat fresh foods when possible.

          High intakes of fat, especially saturated fat, and cholesterol may contribute to atherosclerosis, which is also associated with stroke. You can limit these by cutting down on the use of oil when cooking, trimming the fat from meats and poultry, using low- or non-fat dairy products and baking or broiling foods instead of frying.​

          Hoag Stroke Program​ ranks among the top five percent in the nation and has been awarded the American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Performance Achievement for Hoag’s continued high standard of stroke care.​ To learn more about the program, call 949-764-6066 .

          David M. Brown, MD

          David M. Brown, MDChevron right small icon

          Dr. Brown earned his medical degree from New York Medical College in Valhalla, N.Y. He completed his residency in neurology and became chief resident at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine & Medical Center in New York. Dr. Brown has a sub-specialty in neurology having completed a fellowship in stroke and cerebrovascular disease at Mount Sinai. He then became an attending stroke physician and an instructor in the neurology residency-training program where he earned Teacher of the Year, and also served as director of the stroke clinic. As program director of Hoag’s Stroke Program, Dr. Brown has developed a dedicated, multidisciplinary acute stroke response team that provides immediate care to stroke victims throughout the hospital. In addition, the stroke program offers support groups and community outreach to educate potential stroke patients about the warning signs of stroke. Hoag is an official Get With The Guidelines Stroke (GWTG-Stroke) participant of the American Stroke Association, and as the program requires that hospitals meet a five-step standard including identification of a champion to develop, direct and mobilize teams that will implement patient treatment and discharge guidelines, Dr. Brown leads this entity. Dr. Brown is a neurohospitalist, a neurologist who specializes in the acute care of hospitalized patients, and focuses on providing continuous quality improvement of acute stroke treatment and ischemic stroke prevention. And as an active researcher in neurology, Dr. Brown has authored several articles, abstracts and studies. He frequently lectures at many professional medical conferences.

          Victor B. Doan, MD

          Victor B. Doan, MDChevron right small icon

          Victor Doan is board-certified neurologist. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in Molecular and Cell Biology: Neurobiology. Dr. Doan continued his education at Georgetown University where he received a Master of Science in Physiology and Biophysics. Dr. Doan next earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from New York Medical College. He subsequently completed an internal medicine internship at the University of California, Irvine.<br>Pursuing a specialty in neurology, Victor Doan completed his residency at the University of California, Irvine. There, he had the honor of being chosen as a Co-Chief Resident of Neurology. Dr. Doan completed his Clinical Neurophysiology subspecialty fellowship at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California.<br><br>Victor Doan is a Diplomate of the American Board of Neurology and Psychiatry. He selected neurology as a specialty because of his longtime interest in the human neurologic system. He has made it his passion to guide patients through the medical treatment of neurological conditions.

          Andrew D. Ly, MD

          Andrew D. Ly, MDChevron right small icon

          Dr. Ly earned his medical degree from Chicago Medical School. He completed his neurology residency at Los Angeles General Hospital–University of Southern California Medical Center and completed a neurophysiology fellowship at USC University Hospital.<br><br>Dr. Ly directs the Neurophysiology and Epilepsy testing services at Hoag Hospital and brings an integrated approach to field epilepsy and seizure disorders. He works with a multidisciplinary team at the Hoag Epilepsy Center to provide an individualized comprehensive plan to the evaluation, diagnosis, and medical and surgical treatments of epilepsy.<br><br>Dr. Ly also provides extensive experience and expertise in the area of neurodiagnostic testing. This includes electromyelography and nerve conduction studies (EMG/NCS) for the diagnosis and treatment of nerve and muscle disorders. In addition, he leads a team in providing Intraoperative Monitoring (IOM) services during spine and brain surgeries to preserve and minimize neurological damage after surgery.<br><br>Dr. Ly has served as a delegate for the American Academy of Neurology’s Neurology on the Hill in Washington D.C., which afforded him the opportunity to develop working relationships with members of Congress and fellow neurologists.<br><br>Dr. Ly also donates his professional talent to charitable organizations and has provided services to local community health clinics. He is a member of many professional associations including American Academy of Neurology, Association of California Neurologists and the American Medical Association.<br><br>He has participated in many research studies including investigational device and medication trials for seizures. He has been an active researcher involved in clinical trials in neuromuscular diseases including neuropathy and myasthenia gravis.<br><br>Dr. Ly is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He currently serves as a member of a Neurohospitalist team available for identification and evaluation of acute neurological disorders at Hoag Hospital.

          David E. Millett, MD

          David E. Millett, MDChevron right small icon

          Dr. Millett is a board-certified neurologist specializing in seizures, epilepsy and electroencephalography (EEG). He received his BA from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and obtained both his MD and PhD in 2001 from the University of Chicago. Dr. Millett returned to his native Southern California for his medical internship, neurology residency and 2-year subspecialty training fellowship in Epilepsy and EEG at UCLA.<br><br>In 2007, Dr. Millett joined the faculty of Keck School of Medicine at USC and was given the task of establishing an epilepsy monitoring program to provide advanced epilepsy care for thousands of underserved patients within the Los Angeles Department of Health Services. Under Dr. Millett’s guidance the epilepsy program at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation flourished, providing an array of services such as in-patient video-EEG monitoring, intracranial video-EEG monitoring, neuroimaging, neurocognitive evaluation, and epilepsy surgery. This program received a special Merit Award from the County of Los Angeles in 2011, the same year Dr. Millett was recognized as the Earl I. Feldhorn Pediatric Epilepsy Faculty at the Keck School of Medicine at USC for his efforts to provide advanced epilepsy care to children with epilepsy.<br><br>Dr. Millett relocated to the Hoag Neurosciences Institute in 2014 where he is the director of the epilepsy program, and maintains an active role in research and education through his position as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology in the Keck School of Medicine at USC. He is currently involved in numerous epilepsy-related research studies and educational projects including the use of brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies to analyze epileptogenic circuits in the human hippocampus and the cortical control of movement with colleagues at USC and UCI. Dr. Millett is also completing a book on the role of electroencephalography in the historical development of neuroscience, and he is developing a Web-based Atlas of EEG for training and education.

          Jason S. Muir, MD

          Jason S. Muir, MDChevron right small icon

          Jason Muir, M.D. received his medical degree from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. Prior to medical school, Dr. Muir graduated from Occidental College with a Bachelors’ degree in Biology and a Masters in Neurobiology.<br><br>Dr. Muir is a board-certified neurologist in both Psychiatry and Neurology with additional certification in Clinical Neurophysiology. He enjoys working with people seeking treatment for a range of neurologic issues, especially epilepsy, sports related injuries and neuromuscular disorders. He has investigated multiple experimental drugs to treat epilepsy and was a co-principal investigator on the pivotal Repetitive Neurostimulation (RNS) trial. Dr. Muir strives to achieve seizure freedom for his patients through the use of medications, surgical options and mechanical devices such as the Vagus Nerve Stimulator.<br><br>Dr. Muir completed a Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship at the Keck School of Medicine at USC, with special emphasis on epilepsy evaluation and management, sleep disorders and neuromuscular disorders. After completing an internal medicine internship at State University New York (SUNY) Downstate in Brooklyn, Dr. Muir returned to Los Angeles County-University of Southern California (LAC-USC) Medical Center, the affiliated hospital for the Keck School of Medicine. During his training he served as Chief Resident for the Department of Neurology.<br><br>Dr. Muir enjoys a collaborative practice at Hoag Hospital, working closely with fellow epilepsy and stroke specialists while serving as Program Director of Hoag Neurophysiology Services. He has initiated and organized a hospital-wide program to provide 24-hour continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) services to critically ill patients within Hoag Hospital’s inpatient facilities. Dr. Muir is a member of the neurohospitalist service and stroke team at Hoag Hospital, and currently serves as the vice chair for the Hoag Hospital Department of Neurology and Psychiatry.<br><br>Dr. Muir is a strong advocate for epilepsy patients in Orange County and is a member of multiple local and national neurological societies, including the American Academy of Neurology. His interests within epilepsy include diagnosis, aggressive drug titration, epilepsy surgery, evaluation and management of epilepsy (and other neurological disorders) during pregnancy.

          Jose J. Puangco, MD

          Jose J. Puangco, MDChevron right small icon

          Dr. Puangco is an innovative and forward thinking member of the Judy & Richard Voltmer Sleep Disorders Center. He is recognized as a Diplomate of the American Board of Neurology and the American Board of Sleep Medicine. Dr. Puangco is very active in the medical community and is affiliated with the American Academy of Neurology, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and is a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties.<br><br>Dr. Puangco brings extensive and well-rounded experience to the Voltmer Sleep Center with expertise in multiple specialties. Dr. Puangco created the Cognitive Behavioral Program for Insomnia at Hoag and has been instrumental in providing complete care to Hoag sleep patients.<br><br>Dr. Puangco obtained his medical degree from the University of Texas at Houston Medical School and completed an internship in Internal Medicine at the University of Southern California (USC) and a residency in Neurology at USC. He completed a fellowship in Electrodiagnostic Medicine and Neurophysiology at USC and a fellowship in Sleep Medicine at University of California Los Angeles.<br><br>While not seeing patients at the Voltmer Sleep Center, Dr. Puangco maintains a private neurology practice in Irvine and is a neurohospitalist for Hoag Hospital Newport Beach and Irvine. Dr. Puangco also dedicates his time educating the community through presentations and educational seminars.<br><br>Dr. Puangco’s goal is to establish Hoag as the gold standard for sleep disorders by providing a comprehensive approach to sleep medicine.

          Victoria Tomczak, B.S.N., R.N., S.C.R.N.

          Victoria Tomczak, B.S.N., R.N., S.C.R.N.Chevron right small icon

          Stroke Program Manager

          Monica Jones, BSN, RN, CRRN

          Monica Jones, BSN, RN, CRRNChevron right small icon

          Stroke Program Nurse Navigator

          Justin Vechayiem, MSN, RN

          Justin Vechayiem, MSN, RNChevron right small icon

          Stroke Program Nurse Navigator