Hoag Unveils the "Julia Argyros Center for Nursing Excellence" Seal to Recognize the Largest Donors to Nursing Program in Hoag History with $10 Million in Cumulative Giving

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., May 5, 2016 --- Julia and George Argyros -- nationally acclaimed philanthropists – attended the annual Nurses Day celebration at Hoag to announce their latest $7 million gift and present a $10 million ceremonial check representing their cumulative giving to expand nursing scholarships, and to unveil the Julia Argyros Center for Nursing Excellence seal that will be proudly displayed throughout Hoag campuses.

The support of Hoag’s renowned nursing program reflects the Argyros family’s passion and respect for nurses and the critical role they play in Hoag’s culture of quality and compassionate care.

“My sister was a nurse for more than 40 years and I saw how dedicated she was to ensuring her patients received the best care possible,” Julia Argyros said. “George and I are privileged to support Hoag’s incredible team of nurses and give them the opportunity to achieve their educational goals and further their commitment to delivering outstanding care to their patients.”

The Julia Argyros Center for Nursing Excellence funds will be used for continuing education scholarships for Hoag nurses.

“We are incredibly grateful for the Argyros’ generosity and dedication to Hoag and our nurses,” said Robert T. Braithwaite, Hoag president and CEO. “This donation will empower nurses to achieve their educational goals, take on advanced clinical roles in patient care, broaden their skillsets, mentor new Hoag nurses, and improve patient care, which is the heart of what we do.”

2016 Hoag Nurse of the Year

Julia Argyros and Rick Martin, Ed.D, MSN, RN, senior vice president and chief nursing officer of Hoag, also had the honor of presenting the 2016 Nurse of the Year to Rachel Russell, BSN, RNFA. Russell is a cardiothoracic operating room nurse who has been with Hoag for 20 years, and was recognized for going above and beyond to provide excellent care for her patients and for her role as a mentor to the team. A former recipient of the DAISY Award, a national recognition for the work nurses do for patients every day, Russell’s dedication to her patients extends beyond Hoag. She is a Board Member and volunteer with The Plasticos Foundation, where she has traveled with teams providing surgical services for overseas patients in need, and specialized training to the local surgeons and nurses so that they can continue to care for their patients post-surgery.

Always striving to advance her nursing knowledge and education, Russell received a scholarship from Hoag to pursue her BSN in 2007.

“Last year, Hoag awarded 363 scholarships to Hoag nurses, and this year that number has grown significantly to more than 460 scholarships,” said Rick Martin, Ed.D, MSN, RN, senior vice president and chief nursing officer of Hoag. “Thanks to the Argyros Family Foundation, we will be able to continue investing in nursing education and help Hoag fulfill its commitment to develop, attract and retain the best and brightest nurses seeking the highest level of education.”

ABOUT HOAG HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

Thanks in large part to philanthropy, Hoag has become one of the nation’s finest health care 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 health care leader. Under the direction of a volunteer Board of Directors, the Foundation launched Hoag Promise, Our Campaign to Lead, Innovate &Transform with a goal of $627 million by 2020. Comprehensive in the truest sense of the word, the Hoag Promise campaign encompasses every institute, center and specialty area of Hoag and includes programs, innovation opportunities, research, technology, facilities and staff to drive Hoag’s continued clinical leadership, innovative spirit and transformative potential. Learn more at www.HoagPromise.org.

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 25,000 inpatients and 369,000 outpatients annually. Hoag consists of two acute-care hospitals – Hoag Hospital Newport Beach, which opened in 1952, and Hoag Hospital Irvine, which opened in 2010 – in addition to six health centers and nine urgent care centers. Hoag is a designated Magnet^® hospital 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, which consists of an orthopedic hospital and two ambulatory surgical centers. In 2013, Hoag entered into an alliance with St. Joseph Health to further expand health care services in the Orange County community, known as St. Joseph Hoag Health. Hoag has been named one of the Best Regional Hospitals in the U.S. News & World Report Metro Edition, and Becker’s Hospital Review named Hoag as one of the 2015 “100 Great Hospitals in America” – a designation Hoag has received three times. National Research Corporation has endorsed Hoag as Orange County’s most preferred hospital for the past 20 consecutive years and, for an unprecedented 20 years, residents of Orange County have chosen Hoag as one of the county’s best hospitals in a local newspaper survey. Visit www.hoag.org for more information.

# # #