Hoag’s mission since 1952 has been to support its community. In addition to exceptional health care, Hoag helps provide vital resources to those most in need. The Department of Community Health, founded in 1996, oversees Hoag’s Community Benefit Program, serving low-income and vulnerable groups. Community Benefit’s core aim is community health enhancement, addressing social determinants like education, housing, and nutrition, all of 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.

Comprehensive Community Services

Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living

The center helps meet the various needs of underserved families by collaborating with several organizations providing multilingual and multicultural services.

•  25+ co-located nonprofits 
•  Case management and care coordination 
•  Resource brokering/linkage 
•  Food and diaper distribution 
•  Wellness classes 
•  Educational workshops

Community Nurse Navigation 

Nurse navigators focus on prevention and management of chronic diseases and support patients in accessing care by helping navigate their health care journeys. 

•  Health and wellness coaching 
•  Nursing case management 
•  Health education

Community Grants Program

The program provides grants to organizations that strive to meet the health and social service-related needs of people in our communities. In 2023, Hoag provided 

•  $7.3 million in grants to organizations. 
•  Access to care 
•  Cancer & chronic diseases 
•  Mental health & behavioral health

Mental Health Center 

The goal of the center is to improve the health and well-being of people through the provision 
of psychotherapy and integrated care.

•  Psychotherapy 
•  Psychoeducation 
•  Support groups 
•  Psychiatry 
•  Internship training program 
•  Professional development

Outreach

Engaging and informing people about Hoag’s services is paramount to helping those most in need, and our staff reaches out to meet people where they are to offer our services. 

•  Community engagement 
•  Door-to-door outreach 
•  Peer support

Project Wipeout 

The Project Wipeout mission is to inspire a culture of water safety at the beach and beyond through education and community engagement. 

•  Annual lifeguard symposium 
•  Lifeguard professional development training 
•  Community education 
•  Professional development

Building Equitable Health Care in Orange County

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 Health programs help enhance the health status of the community. The following highlights Hoag’s 2023 impact.

Supporting Community Health at Hoag

Philanthropic support continues to be crucial as Hoag expands across Orange County. Donations help Hoag recruit staff and enhance programs that meet the most pressing community needs.

For more information about how to support community health at Hoag, please contact Heidi Saravia, executive director of development, Hoag Hospital Foundation, at (949) 764-7238 or Heidi.Saravia@hoag.org.

​

​​Read More Stories