Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living
307 Placentia Ave. Newport Beach, CA 92663
949-764-6551
Hoag’s mission as a nonprofit, faith-based hospital aims to deliver top-tier healthcare to our communities. The Department of Community Health, founded in 1996, oversees Hoag’s Community Benefit Program, serving low-income and vulnerable populations. Community Benefit’s core aim is community health enhancement, addressing social determinants like education, housing, and nutrition which significantly impact well-being. Through diverse programs, the Department of Community Health leads Hoag’s endeavors to promote health equity and reduce health disparities. The Department is housed at the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living (MHSCHL).
The MHSCHL is a collaborative endeavor, bringing like-minded organizations and non-profits under one roof. The MHSCHL allows providers to take an integrated, holistic approach to community services addressing everything from health care to legal services, to mental health and social support.
Our Mission
To promote the health and wellbeing of the underserved community by delivering integrative programming and engaging collaborative partnerships.
Our Vision
Empower the underserved community to attain the highest level of health and wellbeing. Provide culturally sensitive services and resources that enable prevention, address the root causes of disease and improve health outcomes. Offer services that meet the needs of the whole person: mind, body and spirit.
Guiding Principles
Access to the highest level of care.
Prevention of chronic conditions through intervention, education and advancement of health equity.
Provide culturally sensitive services and resources that address social and health needs.
Offer integrative approach to care that meet the needs of the whole person.
Build capacity within our nonprofit partner organizations.
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“Philanthropy is the secret sauce that gives life meaning. What is given out comes back tenfold when we see how it changes lives for the better.”
Timeline: Hoag's Journey Towards Health Equity
1996:
Community Benefit program formalized under department of Community Medicine led by founding Director Dr. Gwyn Parry, primary care physician.
1998:
Dr. Parry & Hoag leadership were ahead of their time by partnering with local nonprofits to address social needs. The first mental health community mental health program for low-income community members was established. The Hoag social work clinician was out stationed at a local family resource center providing free psychotherapy services in English and Spanish. She was the first social worker to work outside of the walls of the hospital.
2000:
Demand for mental health services grew and to meet those needs the internship program was established with USC and CSULB Social Work programs. Additionally, the program acquired permanent space near the west side of Costa Mesa where many clients reside.
2002:
Team expanded with two additional MSW, bilingual clinicians who were former interns. Additionally, service lines grew to include case management
2007:
Mental Health program formalized as the Mental Health Center. The department grew with 6 staff and 5 interns.
2008:
Department name changed from Community Medicine to Community Health to better align with mission.
2010:
Department hired the first Farsi speaking therapist, also a former intern, to help address the mental health needs of the Farsi community.
2012:
Department relocated to a larger space and psychiatry service line was added to address disparities in accessing specialized and needed care. The first Case Manager, also a former intern was hired to support clients with resource brokering and connection to social supports.
2014:
Added MPH student intern to support Community Benefit initiatives.
2015:
Social work team huddle also known as our transformative “hallway meeting” sparked the idea to bring other service providers to serve our clients at our center with the primary goal of reducing barriers to accessing resources. Leadership supported the idea and gave us additional suites in the building to expand programming! Convened and engaged community members and stakeholders to inform us on how the center can meet the needs of the vulnerable community. The center’s model and mission was developed in collaboration with the community.
2015:
Our grassroots approach to connecting with community members continued with the addition of the Promotor/Community Health Worker outreach team. Program was philanthropically funded to reach the Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach communities. Formalized our Health Profession and Workforce Development Training program by becoming an accredited CE provider.
2016:
A transformational philanthropic gift from the Hoag Family Foundation supported hiring more staff, leveraging programs, and adding integrative wellness classes. Collaboration and co-location with local nonprofits were established. Secured space for our own family resource center, coming full circle as our flagship program was started at an FRC. The building was named the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living.
2020:
In response to the emergent needs in the community during the pandemic, a COVID-19 Crisis Response Team (CCRT) was created. Comprising of a Case Manager, Registered Nurse, and Clinical Social Worker, the team provided short term interventions which include the immediate assessment of needs and delivery of care navigation for families impacted by COVID.
2021:
Service lines continued to expand as the need for health navigation and chronic disease management was identified and exacerbated by pandemic. The Community Nurse Navigation and Health Coaching program was established. Additional Farsi speaking services were added for the growing population seeking out services at the center.
2022:
Continue growing the long-standing internship program with ten affiliated universities including yoga therapy interns to enhance integrative services.
2024:
Regarded as a trusted provider serving vulnerable community members with highly coordinated health, wellness, and social support services in one location to help them navigate challenges and thrive long term. Now a team of 31 staff including public health (MPH), social workers (MSW, LCSW), registered nurses (RN), case managers (BS), community health workers/promotores and 10 contracted wellness instructors.
Building a more equitable world of healthcare
The causes of health inequity include economic factors that are exacerbated by language barriers, legal status, and high depression rates — all major factors that keep residents oppressed and disadvantaged. Hoag’s Community Benefit programs help enhance the health status of the community. The following highlights Hoag’s 2024 impact.
Total Community Benefit Investment
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$94,605,413 | $82,866,502 | $78,769,215 | $74,345,692 | $70,168,038 |
