2022 PFNI Impact Report

Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute

A Powerhouse for Advancing Innovation and Neurological Care

There is a lot to reflect on when we think of the 15-year journey of the Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute. Each year, we reach new mileposts as we create even more resources that our community needs, demands and deserves. By recruiting top-tier specialists and empowering them with the latest technology and comforting facilities to spearhead programs, we’re elevating our multidisciplinary and differentiated care to meet the growing needs of those living with neurological conditions. The Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute pioneered the institute model now prevalent at Hoag, integrating specialized services with primary population health. This model continues to evolve and serves our patients well with compassionate care, clinical excellence and creative intelligence as our core values.

Innovation is a cornerstone of this institute and remains a key driver as we aim for the highest level of care for those living with disorders of the brain, mind and spine. While there were challenges along the way, most recently the COVID-19 pandemic, our team proved ready and showcased their resilience and dedication. Bolstered by the indispensable community’s support, the Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute will continue to charge forward, delivering exceptional care to those who rely on us every day.

Dr. Michael Brant-Zawadzki, FACR

Ron & Sandi Simon Executive Medical Director Endowed Chair, Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute, Senior Physician Executive, Hoag

• 2007

Hoag Neurosciences Institute launches

• 2008

Marilyn Herbert Hausman Advanced Technology Pavilion opens

• 2009

Hoag Neurosciences Institute’s outpatient platform launched and Conference Center opens

• 2010

Orange County Vital Brain Aging Program launches

• 2011

Judy & Richard Voltmer Sleep Center opens; Neurosurgery Back Pain and Spine Program launched; Inpatient Advanced Brain and Stroke Unit opens

• 2012

Neurospecialty clinic at Hoag Health Center Newport Beach launches

• 2013

15 Years of Comprehensive Services

Dr. Michael Brant-Zawadzki named Ron & Sandi Simon Executive Medical Director Endowed Chair, Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute; Dr. William R. Shankle named Judy & Richard Voltmer Endowed Chair in Memory and Cognitive Disorders, Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute

• 2015

Skull Base and Pituitary Tumor Program launches

• 2017

Pickup family makes transformative investment in advancing neurosciences through Hoag, naming the Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute

• 2018

Fudge Family Acute Rehabilitation Center opens with instrumental gift from Gary Fudge

• 2019

Third neurosciences endowed chair is established, with Dr. Robert Louis being named the Empower360 Endowed Chair in Skull Base and Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery

• 2020

Curci family makes generous investment to revitalize and name the Lucy Curci Neurosciences Specialty Clinic; and the Salsbury family makes a generous gift to support and name the Salsbury Family Movement Disorders Program

• 2021

• 2020

Hoag Center for Advanced Visualization and Immersive Therapeutics launches

Multiple Sclerosis & Neuroimmunology Program launches

• 2022

Spine program evolves from its space within the Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute and is established as a standalone institute

A Scope of Specialty Programs

The Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute has created numerous programs, each addressing a specific disorder. Each is led by physician experts guiding strategic, multidisciplinary teams and operational services. They focus on:

• Stroke • Addiction medicine

• ASPIRE (After School Program: Intervention and Resiliency Education) • Brain tumor • Chronic pain and neuropathy • Epilepsy • Multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunology

• Memory and cognitive disorders • Neurobehavioral Health

• Concussion/mild traumatic brain injury

• Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders

• Pituitary and skull base tumors

• Sleep health

Program Spotlight

Hope for Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Through continued philanthropic support, Hoag is making great strides with the development of the Multiple Sclerosis & Neuroimmunology Program. Launched in April 2021, this program is one step closer to realizing the vision for a comprehensive center dedicated to these conditions. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a leading cause of disability in young adults. Because there is no cure, Hoag is committed to ensuring a continuum of care for each patient and their support system to achieve the best quality of life.

Hoag’s Multiple Sclerosis & Neuroimmunology Program offers:

• Assessment of patients with symptoms suggestive of multiple sclerosis

• A patient-centered, comprehensive treatment plan

• Management of inflammatory disorders of the central nervous system

• Diagnosis of rare neuroimmunological diseases

• A multidisciplinary approach to balance and gait disorders, spasticity, neurogenic bladder and bowel conditions, MS-related fatigue and cognitive decline

• Research therapeutics, nurse navigation and physical and psychological therapy

Yasir N. Jassam, MD, MBChB, MRCP (UK)

Neurology/Multiple Sclerosis, Neuroimmunology & Myeloneuropathy

In March 2021, Hoag welcomed Dr. Jassam to lead a multidisciplinary team that aims to improve the management of multiple sclerosis and similar disorders. Dr. Jassam is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). He was previously at the University of Kansas’ KU Center for Multiple Sclerosis Care.

Thanks to support from the Hausman Family Foundation, the first contributors to this innovative program, Dr. Jassam is leading the development of a center to care for those with multiple sclerosis and other related disorders. This space will serve as a centralized resource for these patients to gather as a community for support, education, group exercise and therapy. This center will also feature specialists from a variety of modalities, including dietitians and physical therapists, to address the unique needs of these patients. Dr. Jassam envisions a multiple sclerosis center that can provide services for:

• Rehabilitation and physical therapy

• Cognitive assessments

• Psychological evaluations and therapy

• Occupational therapy

• Diet and wellness programs and education

Cristin Westbrook has always had her mobility on her mind. She was passionate about dancing and has never been one to sit still. That didn’t change with the addition of her twins. She had experienced random injuries throughout the years, but in the summer of 2020, she noticed these occasional injuries graduated to more frequent muscle spasms and numbness. By September, she was losing the function of the lower half of her body. “I woke up one morning with double vision in my left eye, and the whole left side of my body wasn’t working,” she said. When she sought medical care, the physicians couldn’t pinpoint what exactly was wrong. She heard of the possibility of multiple sclerosis, but her diagnosis couldn’t be confirmed, and she was sent home with no set plan. “I was lost and depressed. I didn’t feel like I had any support.”

Months passed, and a chance tip from an acquaintance gave her the name of a new multiple sclerosis expert at Hoag: Dr. Yasir N. Jassam.

“Dr. Jassam did the most thorough neurological evaluation I’ve ever had. In him, I saw someone who was comprehensive and creative in his approach to establish a diagnosis, said Cristin.

I was being heard and understood, and I felt like I really had someone in my corner.

“Someone in My Corner” “ “

Partner in Care

Victoria Tomczak, RN, BSN, SCRN Neuroscience Nurse Navigator | Stroke Program

Victoria Tomczak’s seven-year career at Hoag is one powered by philanthropy from the beginning. She started in the Stroke Program in a philanthropically funded position as a clinical data coordinator. Through the support of her colleagues and the community, she became a nurse navigator, a role that has opened doors for her and allowed her to open them for her patients. “I’ve really had the opportunity to grow as a nurse and impact how we care for patients every day,” Victoria said. “Hoag is very supportive about innovation, new ideas and encouraging staff to come up with ways to help our patients.”

Stroke patients often require multiple specialists and services during their recovery, including speech and occupational and physical therapies. Victoria guides them through their course of treatment and stays connected every step of the way. “As a nurse navigator, I can give patients even more time and education so they can understand how to move forward in their recovery,” Victoria said. She facilitates support groups for patients, which have grown in popularity after becoming virtual and available to people across the country. Victoria takes pride in also helping the caregivers of stroke patients, often their friends and family members, who are impacted as well.

Prior to her work at Hoag, Victoria had never heard of positions funded by donor support. She’s grown to see how much that support spreads throughout Hoag and benefits patients. “I owe a great deal of thanks to the philanthropic community that has helped support my roles,” she said. “Philanthropy helps Hoag achieve the mission of being a community-oriented hospital that is always giving back.”

Resiliency and Support Through the COVID-19 Pandemic

Post-COVID Brain Health Clinic — In addition to helping multiple sclerosis patients, Dr. Yasir N. Jassam has also stepped in to meet needs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. He leads the Post-COVID Brain Health Clinic, which provides patients who recovered from COVID-19 the care they need to better manage their long-term neurological and psychiatric symptoms.

Fudge Family Acute Rehabilitation Center — The Center has remained at capacity throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, continuing its mission to provide compassionate care during the crucial time after a traumatic brain injury or stroke.

ASPIRE (After School Program: Intervention and Resiliency Education) — ASPIRE was one of the few programs that maintained some in-person capabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. ASPIRE is an essential source of support for teens experiencing mental health and emotional conditions and possible substance abuse disorders.

Dedication to Innovation

Robert G. Louis, MD, FAANS Empower360 Endowed Chair in Skull Base and Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery Director, Skull Base and Pituitary Tumor Program

Dr. Louis has been pioneering the use of experiential reality (XR) technology throughout Hoag. This vision culminated in the creation of the Hoag Center for Advanced Visualization and Immersive Therapeutics, launched in late 2021. Under Dr. Louis’ leadership, Hoag has established a national reputation in XR across multiple disciplines, including advanced surgery, pain and stress management, patient education and maternal care. The Center will house three dedicated spaces consistent with Hoag’s mission to research, develop and implement XR:

• The Development Lab will bring together physicians and engineers to develop the newest XR technology.

• The Therapy Treatment Room is available to all Hoag physicians whose patients can benefit from XR and will treat patients with a myriad of diagnoses from phobias to pain to post-traumatic stress disorder.

• The Experiential Theater will enable virtual fly-through experiences for patients and their families to visualize surgical objectives before treatment as well as provide a setting for nursing education, community engagement, case collaboration and various other demonstrations.

Acclaimed Care

Philanthropic support allows the Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute to perform at levels that are recognized nationally as meeting the highest standards of excellence while driving innovation. We are proud to share our most recent honors:

• Hoag Hospital Newport Beach is a Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center by DNV GL Healthcare, and Hoag Hospital Irvine is a certified Primary Stroke Center.

• Hoag is the first hospital in Orange County to use high-tech 3D simulation software (SNAP) to assist in brain surgery.

• U.S. News & World Report ranked Hoag in the top 10% in the nation and high performing for neurology and neurosurgery.

• Hoag is a designated a Level 4 epilepsy center by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers.

• Designated as a Stroke-Neurology Receiving Center by the Orange County Health Care Agency.

• Recipient of the American Heart Association’s Get With the Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.

• Named by Becker’s Hospital Review as a Top 100 Hospital with Great Neurosurgery and Spine Programs.

Thank You

Thank you for your generous and unwavering support of the Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute. Your commitment ensures patients living with neurological disorders can count on Hoag for exceptional, comprehensive care for years to come.

For more information about supporting the Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute, contact Taylor Terca, director of development, Hoag Hospital Foundation, at (949) 764-1818 or Taylor.Terca@hoag.org.

HoagHospitalFoundation.org