Argyros Family Foundation Presents $2.5 Million Gift to Hoag at Nurses Day Event

Hoag Nurse of the Year Candi Rogers Honored at Annual Event, Congratulated by George and Julia Argyros

Newport Beach, Calif. (May 2, 2013) — George and Julia Argyros formally presented a $2.5 million donation on behalf of the Argyros Family Foundation to expand educational nursing initiatives at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian during the organization’s annual Nurses Day event today. Robert Braithwaite, CEO and president of Hoag, Rick Martin, Ed.D, MSN, RN, senior vice president and chief nursing officer of Hoag, and Flynn A. Andrizzi, Ph.D., president of Hoag Hospital Foundation and senior vice president of Hoag, accepted the check on behalf of the organization.

Hundreds of nurses celebrated and cheered with a standing ovation at the announcement of the largest gift for nursing in Hoag’s 60-year history, which underscores the pivotal role nurses play in quality patient care. The funds will be used for a wide range of educational nursing initiatives at Hoag.

During her presentation of the donation, Julia Argyros noted, “Even with the nicest facilities and world renowned physicians, it is the patient care from nurses that make all the difference in a patient’s recovery”. She continued saying, “We want patients leaving Hoag to feel like they had the best care in the world by Hoag nurses. Our goal is to provide all Hoag nurses the opportunity to expand their education, ultimately increasing the stellar care provided by Hoag to our community.”

A highlight of the Nurses Day event was the announcement of the much-anticipated Nurse of the Year. This year’s recipient was Candi Rogers, RN, an oncology charge nurse who was described by her peers as a “true role model who leads by example, inspires others, and has earned the respect of her fellow nurses as well as the physicians and hospital staff members.” She has worked at Hoag for 13 years and in addition to managing a busy department, she is an active volunteer with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and a member of the Oncology Nursing Society.

Rick Martin had the honor of announcing the Nurse of the Year and described Rogers as a leader who is “among the rock stars here at Hoag,” and someone who goes “above and beyond the call of duty.” He continued, “Candi has demonstrated the qualities and essence of what it truly means to be a Hoag nurse with her responsiveness, thoughtfulness and caring nature. She is a stellar example of the quality of nurses we are proud to have at Hoag.”

“I am lucky to be a part of this exemplary team at Hoag,” Candi Rogers said. She personally thanked the Argyros’ for their donation and assured them that their vision for this gift would “become a reality” with the dedication and commitment of Hoag nurses.

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. Foundation fundraising priorities are based on Hoag’s priorities and include:

• Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center

• Hoag Family Cancer Institute

• Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute

• Hoag Heart & Vascular Institute

• Hoag Orthopedic Institute

• Hoag Women’s Health Institute

• Hoag Hospital Newport Beach

• Hoag Hospital Irvine

• Choose Nursing, Choose Hoag

Please visit www.HoagHospitalFoundation.org.