Hoag radiologist and physician leader Dr. Miles Chang and his wife, Dr. Catherine Chang, have made a gift to support Hoag's continued growth.
Dr. Miles Chang believes things when he sees them. In fact, he's built a career out of finding answers through visuals as a radiologist for Hoag. Since joining Hoag in 1995, one of those telling images has been the expansion of the radiology department and Hoag as a whole. "All we've done is grow. How many jobs are like that these days?" Dr. Chang ponders. "I want Hoag to continue that so we can keep benefiting people in the future." Dr. Chang's trajectory at Hoag has been one of dedicated physician, committed leader and, now, forward-looking supporter.
Dr. Chang and his wife Catherine, a physician in a private practice, have always been helpers: it's in their DNA, is how he puts it. "I work in the hospital. Cathy is in the community seeing patients and helping people," he said. "I see firsthand all of the things that actually help the community that come from philanthropy, such as the nurse navigators and the various Fudge family programs."
As Dr. Chang became more involved with leading not only his department but the greater vision at Hoag, he learned what it takes to keep a health network flourishing. He has served on Hoag's Medical Executive Committee, the Hoag Hospital Irvine Advisory Committee, the Physician Campaign Leadership Group during the Hoag Promise Campaign and is currently on Hoag's Board of Directors.
"I'm incredibly inspired by the leadership I see. I see their dedication to the community," Dr. Chang said. "I see it from the top level, where people work to raise money, all the way to the level where you're the recipient of such great equipment or services because of that support."
Dr. Chang and his wife have made a charitable bequest to continue their mission of helping people long after they've left the exam rooms. Catherine says philanthropy has added another level of fulfillment to Dr. Chang's career on top of his clinical work. "Hoag has given so much to him that he wants to give back," she said. He hopes other physicians will be moved to think of supporting Hoag's future.
Though Dr. Chang wants his family's gift to benefit whatever area needs it most, he's hoping there will be more scholarships and educational opportunities for radiology staff. His family's gift to Hoag is not a recognition for himself, Dr. Chang said, but a provision for the next physicians, staff and patients.
"Hoag has always had the resources to support the type of work physicians want to do at the quality they want to do it. I think it's worthwhile to give back to ensure that continues."
To learn how you can give back, visit HoagHospitalFoundation.org/GiftPlanning
