In April of this year, Hoag welcomed Aaron Przybysz (pronounced “Shib – ish”), MD, PhD, a distinguished leader in interventional pain management and spine care. As a double board-certified anesthesiologist and pain medicine physician with a background spanning academic medicine, private practice, and cutting-edge research, he brings a vision that promises to elevate spine care in Orange County.

After an illustrious career in academic medicine, where he taught future physicians and conducted pioneering research, Dr. Przybysz was drawn to Hoag by a unique opportunity: the chance to help build something transformative. “When Dr. Ozgur [director of the Spine Institute] and Teresa Conk [senior vice president and chief clinical institutes officer] approached me about the potential to help build and design a spine institute for Hoag, I said, absolutely! The resources that Hoag has in serving the greater Orange County area are tremendous,” he shared.

Aaron Przybysz, MD, PhD

One of the key elements that excites him about joining Hoag is the innovative privademic model—a blend of private practice with robust research capabilities typically found in academic institutions. This environment allows for the safe and swift implementation of new treatments without the bureaucratic hurdles often seen elsewhere. 

Dr. Przybysz is already laying the foundation for several groundbreaking initiatives at the Spine Institute, including research into a novel, non-narcotic drug target  for pain management. “If it makes its way through clinical trials and is brought to market, it could be a paradigm shift,” he explained. These and other clinical research plans, including exploring a peripheral nerve stimulator for refractory back pain, align with his expertise in interventional pain management, which focuses on diagnosing and treating pain using minimally invasive techniques.

None of these advancements would be possible without the generous support of Hoag’s philanthropic community. Dr. Przybysz acknowledges the vital role of philanthropy in driving medical innovation. “One of the things empowering us to do clinical research is our donors. For example, they have enabled us to bring on Caitlin Yi, our research coordinator,” he noted, highlighting a key area where donor contributions are making a tangible difference. This support allows the institute to meticulously track patient outcomes, ensuring the effectiveness of treatments.

The work at Hoag’s Spine Institute goes far beyond traditional medicine—it’s about transforming lives. Back pain is an epidemic affecting millions, with nearly 65 million Americans experiencing a recent episode and 16 million struggling with chronic pain that limits daily activities, according to Georgetown University’s Health Policy Institute. It’s also one of the costliest health conditions in the U.S.

Dr. Przybysz shared the story of a recent grateful patient, a former NFL player whose life was changed after years of debilitating back pain. Under his care, the patient underwent a series of minimally invasive treatments that relieved his pain and restored his ability to stay active. “Seeing him return to the activities he loves brings me great pride,” Dr. Przybysz said. “Moments like these drive us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in spine care.”

To learn more about Hoag’s Spine Institute, go to https://www.hoag.org/specialties-services/spine. 

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