Hoag establishes three new endowed chairs, bringing total at hospital up to 20

The Hoag Hospital Foundation named three new endowed chairs at an investiture ceremony earlier this month, bringing the total number of endowed chairs at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian up to 20 — a relatively uncommon feature of community hospitals.

Endowed chairs are more common in academic settings. They are typically supplemented by funds from an endowed fund that is created by donors. Those in possession of such titles are provided additional funding for research, equipment or other forms of support.

Hoag has now 20 endowed chairs, though officials at the hospital declined to disclose how much it costs to establish one.

“Through the collective power of such visionary donors, these chairs underscore Hoag’s commitment to developing innovative treatments and expanding our programs. Philanthropy plays a critical role in making them possible, and we are grateful for the donors who believe in these physicians and Hoag to make these commitments,” said Hoag Hospital Foundation President Flynn Andrizzi in a statement announcing the appointments.

The three chairs were awarded to Drs. Robert Gorab, Robert Louis and Subbarao Myla.

Gorab will be the Tom & Mayumi Adams endowed chair in orthopedic surgery. He is the immediate past chief medical officer of the Hoag Orthopedic Institute and program chairman of the Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement Fellowship. He said he intends to allocate some of his endowment funds toward supporting two orthopedic fellows each academic year.

Louis, who is also director of the Skull Base and Pituitary Tumor program at the Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute, was named the Empower360 endowed chair in skull base and minimally invasive neurosurgery. Louis said there is “no greater vote of confidence when people believe in your dreams.

“This endowed chair is helping me develop more ways to use virtual and augmented reality technology to improve the lives of our patients. It’s a privilege to be able to have a vision and then have philanthropic support to make it a reality. This ceremony reminded me of how many people are with me on this journey.”

Myla is the medical director of Cardiac and Endovascular Labs and cardiovascular research at the Jeffrey M. Carlton Heart & Vascular Institute and plans to use his new endowment to produce educational simulation videos to alleviate anxiety for patients before entering the catheterization laboratory or operating room.

“Endowed chairs enhance Hoag’s reputation and enable us to attract more renowned physicians and clinical staff,” Andrizzi said. “They are vital to our mission to provide world-class healthcare where it’s needed most — our community.”

Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber.