For Annu G. Sharma, MD, and Devasis Ghose, giving back reflects their deep connection to Hoag and their commitment to advancing health care in Orange County. Their philanthropy focuses on two areas close to their hearts: the new Women’s Hospital Pavilion on the Sun Family Campus in Irvine and the Richard H. Pickup Center for Brain Health.

“It was incredible to know we could support both women’s health and brain health—two fields that have profoundly shaped our lives,” Dr. Sharma says.

Dr. Sharma’s bond with Hoag began in the late 1970s when her grandfather was admitted to the hospital. That connection grew as she pursued a career in pediatrics, joining Hoag’s medical staff in 1992.

“It’s been a multi-generational relationship,” she shares. “Our family has been part of this community for decades. Many of my family members, including my father, have received care at Hoag. Most recently, our daughter delivered her baby at Hoag in August 2023.”

As a pediatrician, Dr. Sharma has witnessed Hoag’s growth in maternal and child health services. She began her career in private practice in Irvine in 1989, caring for newborns, children, and families, while mentoring school nurses and serving on the Irvine Unified School District’s Medical Advisory Board. She later joined Hoag, serving as chair of the Department of Pediatrics from 2014 to 2016 and participating in the Medical Executive Committee. She also helped prepare for the opening of the Fudge Family Birthing Suites in 2020, ensuring a smooth transition for obstetric and neonatal care.

With Hoag Irvine expanding through the Women’s Hospital Pavilion and the Boldly Hoag campaign advancing maternal and child health, the mission resonates deeply with Dr. Sharma.

“I toured the original Irvine hospital site where the Sun Family Campus now stands, wearing a hard hat when it was first built in 1990. Now, in 2024, I found myself back in a hard hat, witnessing Hoag’s expansion. Supporting women’s health means investing in future generations, and I’m grateful to give back to an institution that means so much to me, my family, and my patients.”

For Dev Ghose, supporting brain health is both professional and personal. As a former chief financial officer for a health care company specializing in long-term care, assisted living, rehab, and hospice, he has seen the devastating effects of degenerative brain diseases.

“I saw a close family member battle Alzheimer’s for a decade and worked in settings where brain health was a daily focus,” he says. “When I learned about the Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute and its rapid rise to a nationally ranked program, I knew we wanted to support something so impactful.”

Their commitment to brain health is also inspired by their son, Akshay Sharma, MD, who is completing a seven-year neurosurgical residency and epilepsy surgery fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic and will begin a pediatric neurosurgery fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh in June 2025.

“His passion for helping children with epilepsy strengthened our desire to support Hoag’s innovative work in neurology,” Dev adds.

The couple’s decision to give was further reinforced by Hoag’s physician leaders, including Dr. Aaron Ritter, Larkin Family Endowed Chair in Integrative Brain Health.

“Seeing Dr. Ritter’s incredible work with clinical trials and brain health motivated us to support this critical field,” says Dev.

Through their generosity, Dr. Annu Sharma and Devasis Ghose honor their past while building a healthier future for the community they cherish. Their story is a powerful reminder of how philanthropy fuels innovation and transforms lives at Hoag—an inspiring example of how giving back creates lasting impact.

As we approach National Doctors’ Day on March 30, it’s a meaningful time to celebrate the physicians who dedicate their lives to healing others.

Annu G. Sharma, MD, and Devasis Ghose  

​​Read More Stories