NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Feb. 23, 2022 — Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian announced today that Thomas N. Wang, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S., a prominent researcher and nationally recognized author, has been named medical director of the Hoag Melanoma/Advanced Skin Cancer Program.
Dr. Wang comes to Hoag after spending the previous 15 years at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where he served as a Professor of Surgery at the UAB School of Medicine and Chief of Surgical Oncology for the Birmingham VA Medical Center. As a board-certified surgical oncologist, his deep expertise and commitment to patient care make him the right fit for Hoag, said Burton L. Eisenberg, M.D., F.A.C.S., Grace E. Hoag Executive Medical Director Endowed Chair, Hoag Family Cancer Institute.
“In sunny Southern California, melanoma remains a growing problem, and we are thrilled to bring Dr. Wang’s experience and knowledge to Hoag. His commitment to innovation and his focus on improving the quality of life for patients aligns with the Hoag philosophy of patient-centric care,” Dr. Eisenberg said.
Dr. Wang joins a multidisciplinary team of experts dedicated to providing comprehensive care for the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and complex skin malignancies. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the country, and melanoma is its deadliest form, killing an estimated 7,180 people this year alone. Melanoma is also the most common type of cancer to affect 25- to 29-year-olds, making early detection an important part of Hoag’s Melanoma/Advanced Skin Cancer Program.
By working closely with community dermatologists, Hoag’s multidisciplinary melanoma team can offer second opinions and surgical consultations. Thanks in large part to philanthropy, Hoag also offers clinical nurse navigation, high-risk and genetic counseling programs, access to leading clinical trials and support and resources for patients and their families.
“I’ve been involved in many clinical trials in my career and am looking forward to using my expertise to focus on providing innovative, patient-centric care to melanoma patients in Orange County,” Dr. Wang said. “Hoag is building a world-class, comprehensive melanoma program right in Orange County patients’ backyards.
The Hoag Family Cancer Institute is ranked in the top 10% in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, based on subspecialized cancer programs, precision medicine using genomic technologies, extensive clinical trials and research.
Dr. Wang is a graduate of Brown University and attended the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. He completed his general surgery residency training at Drexel University College of Medicine/Hahnemann University Hospital and his surgical oncology fellowship at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. He is an active member on multiple national surgical societies, including the Association for Academic Surgery, the Society of University Surgeons, the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons and the Society of Surgical Oncology. In addition, since 2007, he is a panel member in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, developing guidelines for the treatment of thyroid cancer.
###
ABOUT HOAG
Hoag is a nonprofit, regional health care delivery network in Orange County, California, that treats more than 30,000 inpatients and 460,000 outpatients annually. Hoag consists of two acute-care hospitals – Hoag Hospital Newport Beach, which opened in 1952, and Hoag Hospital Irvine, which opened in 2010 – in addition to nine health centers and 14 urgent care centers. Hoag has invested $261 million in programs and services to support the underserved community within the past five years, including areas like mental health, homelessness, transportation for seniors, education, and support for single mothers. Hoag is a designated Magnet® hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Hoag offers a comprehensive blend of health care services that includes six institutes providing specialized services in the following areas: cancer, digestive health, heart and vascular, neurosciences, women’s health, and orthopedics through Hoag’s affiliate, Hoag Orthopedic Institute, which consists of an orthopedic hospital and four ambulatory surgical centers. In the 2021-2022 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals Rankings, Hoag is the highest ranked hospital in Orange County and the only OC hospital ranked in the Top 10 in California. For an unprecedented 23 years, residents of Orange County have chosen Hoag as one of the county’s best hospitals in a local newspaper survey. Visit www.hoag.org for more information.
