November Luncheon with Dr. Allyson Brooks

How Hoag Hospital lost, then regained, its freedom to offer science-based healthcare to the whole community

WIL members were devastated to learn in 2012 that Orange County's beloved community hospital, Hoag Memorial, was joining local Catholic hospital chain St. Joseph Health.

Many of us took to the streets to protest. We understood the dangers that lay ahead.

Despite assurances that nothing would change, that Hoag would continue to be allowed to make its own decisions and offer its patients science-based healthcare, it didn't take long for our worst fears to be realized. Elective abortion was banned immediately. St. Joseph merged with Providence in 2016, and more religion-based restrictions were added.

By the time Hoag was finally able to disaffiliate from Providence in 2022, religious directives were dictating some of the care that could be offered to women, to LGBTQ patients, even to those seeking end-of-life care.

Dr. Allyson Brooks was there from the beginning. She'll share the painful story of how Hoag doctors were blindsided by the drastic changes that occurred starting in 2013, and the role she and other doctors played in freeing Hoag from the grip of Providence.

The talk couldn't be more timely. Catholic systems control one in seven hospital beds in the country. Care in those facilities is governed by "ethical and religious directives for Catholic healthcare," not science.

Hoag's success story is a message of hope in these dark times.

This will be the last luncheon of what will have been our 30th anniversary year. Thanks to everyone who has supported WIL over the years. We're volunteer-run and member-funded, and we couldn't have done any of it without you. Hope to see you on the 30th!

WHEN
November 30, 2023 at 11:30am - 1:30pm
WHERE
Santa Ana Country Club
20382 Newport Blvd
Santa Ana, CA 92707
United States
Google map and directions
CONTACT
Women in Leadership ·

Choose your meal below:

$60.00 Luncheon Ticket - Vegetarian
Mushroom bolognese: Wild mushroom, San Marzano tomato sauce, sautéed Swiss chard, parmesan and micro basil
$60.00 Luncheon Ticket - Salad with Chicken
Fall harvest herbed chicken salad: Winter greens and baby kale, Honeycrisp apples, goat cheese, candied pecans, dried cranberries & white balsamic vinaigrette