The Golden Rule | Summer 2025

THE MAGAZINE OF HOAG’S COMMUNITY HEALTH INITIATIVES

Message from Leadership

Welcome to the Summer 2025 issue of The Golden Rule, the magazine dedicated to Hoag’s Community Health initiatives at the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living.

In this issue, we highlight our continued commitment to advancing mental health services, with special attention to cultural and language-specific needs. We are proud to feature our culturally tailored mental health services for our Farsi-speaking population, which is meeting a vital need in our community.

We spotlight Share Ourselves’ recent expansion with a new clinic in Costa Mesa, bringing accessible, high-quality health care to those who need it most. We also feature the important work of the Public Law Center, a Santa Ana-based nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that legal services are within reach for all, regardless of income.

We explore Clinic in the Park, a pediatricianled program of the American Academy of Pediatrics–OC, whose mission is to connect vulnerable children to health care and community resources.

And finally, as we dive into summer, we shine a light on a long-standing program that’s been going strong since the 1970s: Project Wipeout. Originally launched to prevent—or “wipe out”—spinal cord injuries, Project Wipeout has evolved into a community education program focusing on beach and water safety.

As always, we remain committed to improving the health of our community with purpose, strategy, and impact.

Thanks to the dedication of our team and community partners, support from Hoag leadership, and the generosity of our donors, we’ve been able to turn that mission into meaningful action.

With deepest gratitude,

Minzah Malik, MPH, MBA Executive Director, Community Health Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MENTAL HEALTH

The Mental Health Center at the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living promotes positive mental health through a wide range of dedicated support services.

CLINIC IN THE PARK

The goal of Clinic in the Park is to connect children with health care resources, perform safety net screenings, and provide education along with essential child safety equipment.

HOAG IMPACT REPORT

2024 Community Benefit impact: facts and figures.

SHARE OURSELVES

A longtime partner of the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living and a vital resource for the community, Share Ourselves has a new home.

PUBLIC LAW CENTER

The Public Law Center (PLC) provides advocacy and access to legal services—free of charge—to those in need.

CLOSE UP: JANNEL RASMUSSEN

Meet our Master of Public Health (MPH) intern, Jannel Rasmussen, Class of 2025.

PROJECT WIPEOUT

What started in 1979 as a mission to “wipe out” spinal cord injuries at the beach continues today as a beach safety education and drowning prevention program.

PARTNER HIGHLIGHTS

2024 partner highlights: facts and figures.

GRATITUDE

We are grateful to the Fainbarg family for their generous support of the expansion of the Promotores Program.

Good Mental Health

Support Services at the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living

As part of its commitment to overall well-being, the Mental Health Center at the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living promotes positive mental health through a wide range of dedicated support services. The Center provides free psychotherapy and support groups for individuals and families in low-income and underinsured communities, offering essential care to those who might otherwise lack access.

The team at the Center includes thirteen clinical social workers, two social worker assistants, and one part-time psychiatrist, all working together to provide mental health support and help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.

CULTURALLY SPECIFIC SERVICES

Professional and compassionate, the staff at the Mental Health Center also take a culturally sensitive approach, tailored to meet the unique needs of specific populations. Culture- and language-specific programs have been developed to better serve Orange County’s diverse community and improve outcomes.

The Center’s team of therapists and social workers is uniquely equipped to address bilingual and bicultural needs. In addition to services offered in English and Spanish, the Center also provides services in Farsi to support Orange County’s growing Persian community.

Sahar Naraghi-Babaei was hired as the first Farsispeaking clinician at Hoag’s Mental Health Center to address the increasing mental health needs of the Farsi-speaking population in the surrounding area. As demand grew, an additional Farsi-speaking therapist was hired in 2020, along with a Farsi-speaking case manager to assist with case management needs. Beyond individual therapy, the program now offers Farsi group therapy and monthly workshops, each drawing an average of 50 participants.

As Manager of the Mental Health Center, Sahar notes, “While working with the Farsi-speaking/Iranian community, it’s imperative to know the culture.” Because mental health continues to be a taboo topic in the Persian community, the team incorporates cultural awareness into their treatment approach.

THE FARSI COMMUNITY

Sahar and her team work with clients ranging in age from 5 to 85. Some are recent immigrants, others fled Iran due to political persecution, and many are thirdgeneration Persian Americans. Anxiety, trauma, and generational trauma are among the most common concerns in this community.

The need to expand Farsi-language services is clear: currently, there are more Farsi-speaking individuals on the Center’s waitlist than English or Spanish speakers. This dedicated team helps eliminate language barriers and connect Persian-speaking clients to the resources they need.

The Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living remains committed to supporting the mental health needs of underserved populations in culturally sensitive and inclusive ways. By tailoring services to reflect specific cultural contexts, the Center helps foster the overall well-being of the local community.

Sahar Naraghi-Babaei, LCSW, RPT-S Manager, Mental Health Center

With a Master of Social Work from USC and 17 years of experience in mental health and psychotherapy, Sahar Naraghi-Babaei brings deep expertise and bilingual fluency to her role as Manager of the Mental Health Center. She leads the clinical development staff, guides program growth, and champions the expansion of Farsi-language services. Sahar shares, “I’m deeply committed to supporting underserved and vulnerable communities. It’s a privilege to work alongside a team that truly cares— for each other and for our clients.

There’s truly no place like Hoag.”

Neda Semsar, LCSW Therapist, Mental Health Center

With dual master’s degrees in Public Health and Social Work from USC, and an MBA from UC Irvine, Neda Semsar brings a unique blend of clinical insight and cultural sensitivity to her work. Her career has spanned both corporate and therapeutic settings, but her heart lies in helping people heal and grow. Now pursuing a PhD, Neda works as a psychotherapist and finds deep fulfillment in offering culturally sensitive, multilingual therapy. “What drives me,” she shares, “is witnessing the resilience of my clients and being part of their journey toward meaningful change and empowerment.”

Elaheh Bakhtiari-Khankordi Social Worker Assistant, Mental Health Center

Elaheh Bakhtiari-Khankordi serves as the primary point of contact for Farsi-speaking clients reaching out through the Center’s dedicated Farsi service line. Now in her second year with the organization, Elaheh brings valuable knowledge and expertise, supported by a bachelor’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Iran. She finds deep fulfillment in helping members of the Farsi-speaking community connect with essential resources and services—especially during their most vulnerable moments.

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Share Ourselves

Expanding in the Community

Share Ourselves is a comprehensive health care provider offering vital medical, dental, behavioral health, and social services to underserved populations in Orange County.

EXPANDED FACILITIES, EXPANDED HOURS

For more than 30 years, Share Ourselves operated from its original location off Superior Avenue in Costa Mesa. Due to limited physical space, zoning restrictions, and aging infrastructure, the clinic was unable to meet the growing demand for medical and dental services.

In December 2024, Share Ourselves secured a new facility that allows for expanded services, increased parking capacity, and improved accessibility, thanks to its location along a major bus route.

The new space enables Share Ourselves to offer extended hours, Monday through Saturday. Twelve new medical exam rooms increase the number of patients who can be treated each week, from prenatal and infant care to services for seniors. Six new dental chairs and an expanded pharmacy help meet demand. Two new optometry stations are also slated to open later this year.

As a longtime partner of the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living, Share Ourselves continues to be a trusted and essential resource for our most vulnerable residents. On Saturday, May 3, Share Ourselves celebrated a major milestone with the unveiling of its new 11,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility in the City of Costa Mesa—bringing expanded primary care services to the community.

SHARE OURSELVES’ MISSION

Guided by the belief that everyone deserves access to quality health care, Share Ourselves is committed to removing barriers to achieving optimal health. Hoag shares this commitment through its mission to deliver the highest quality health care services to the communities it serves. United by this purpose, Hoag invested in the expansion of the new clinic to ensure that more individuals and families have access to compassionate care close to home.

CEO Christy Ward explains, “Most of the patients we see are low-income working families across Orange County who are often struggling with financial burdens and social determinants of health, including food and housing insecurity. Our team works to identify where individuals and families are struggling and provides support—either directly, through services like our food pantry and case workers, or through referrals to social service partners in the community.”

With a 30-year background as a nurse, Ward brings a deep understanding of the health challenges patients face. As the leader of Share Ourselves, she remains closely attuned to the needs of the low-income community. “I believe that health care is a right of every individual,” she affirms. “My passion for community service is the driving force behind how I lead this organization.”

Share Ourselves recognizes the ever-growing need for services among underserved populations in Orange County—estimated at over one million people. The move to the new Costa Mesa facility marks an important step in breaking down barriers and meeting this rising demand.

Twelve new exam rooms

Six new dental chairs

Two new optometry chairs

Larger pharmacy with private consult space

Expanded hours:

Monday – Saturday, including select evening appointments

Increased parking capacity

Share Ourselves Costa Mesa

1650 Adams Avenue Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Monday – Friday, 8 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 5 PM

Services Offered: Medical, Dental, Behavioral Health, Optometry, Case Management and Pharmacy

Public Law Center

Providing Legal Services to Those in Need

The Public Law Center (PLC) offers advocacy and access to legal services—free of charge—to those who need it most.

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, PLC operates on the belief that legal representation should be accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford high legal fees.

THE TEAM

PLC’s team is composed of professionals and students spanning the legal spectrum, including law partners and associates at major firms, in-house corporate counsel, solo and small firm practitioners, young lawyers, paralegals, law school students, and college undergraduates. All generously volunteer their time to fulfill this vital philanthropic mission.

Last year alone, PLC staff and volunteers provided more than 65,000 hours of free civil legal services and handled over 4,500 cases, benefiting low-income children, adults,

and seniors. The estimated value of this work over the past three years is $60 million

FAMILY LAW SERVICES

PLC offers family law support at the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living, including services for dissolution, adoption, guardianship, conservatorship, domestic violence, victims of crime, and child custody.

For services beyond this scope—such as consumer law, immigration, housing, or veteran-related cases—clients are referred to PLC’s main office in Santa Ana.

PLC is funded by a variety of sources that support its mission, including grants from the State Bar of California, the State of California, foundations, government and corporate entities, and tax-deductible donations.

ON-SITE ACCESS

In support of a one-stop-shop model, the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living has dedicated space for PLC to see clients onsite, removing potential barriers to access.

Thanks to this partnership, an on-site PLC staff attorney is available twice a week, improving the referral process and reducing delays in receiving legal assistance.

A VISION ROOTED IN EQUITY

PLC’s core values—empowerment, compassion, community, and respect—reflect its belief that individual well-being is intrinsically connected to the well-being of others.

Their vision is a future where every Orange County resident, especially the most vulnerable, is respected and empowered as they navigate the justice system—keeping families safe, healthy, housed, and financially secure.

PLC: By the Numbers

PLC has provided free legal services to lowincome Orange County residents since 1981.

34,000

More than 34,000 pro bono hours were donated by volunteer attorneys in 2024. Estimated value of PLC’s free legal services provided over the past three years.

$60 Million300 70,000 4,500

PLC staff and volunteers provide over 70,000 hours of free legal services annually. Cases handled each year, supporting residents, nonprofits, and small businesses.

In 2024, more than 300 clients received PLC legal services at the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living.

Clinic in the Park

A Vital Health Resource

Clinic in the Park’s mission is simple: to help Orange County’s most vulnerable families access the resources they need to keep their children safe and healthy. They accomplish this by connecting families with essential services at community events—bridging the gap between pediatrics and public health.

Founded in 2011, Clinic in the Park is a pediatrician-led initiative of the American Academy of Pediatrics–Orange County. The program includes nurses, dentists, dietitians, health educators, and other health and social service providers. Their goals are to connect children with health care and community resources, conduct safety net screenings, and provide education and essential child safety equipment. Clinic in the Park reaches more than 5,000 participants annually.

The Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living partners with Clinic in the Park by hosting wellness workshops and safety events onsite. Key focus areas include:

• Child Passenger Safety: Ensuring children travel safely by using age- and sizeappropriate car seats.

• Bike and Pedestrian Safety: Promoting the use of properly fitted helmets to significantly reduce the risk of head injuries.

• Water Safety and Drowning Prevention: Addressing drowning, the leading cause of unintentional injury death among one- to four-year-olds in the U.S.

• Literacy: Supporting early reading skills during the critical first five years of life to help break cycles of generational poverty and illiteracy.

As Susan Martinez, Senior Community Health Specialist, explains, “Most of the families we serve do not have the disposable income to equip each car with a booster seat or car seat, which leads to children being prematurely placed in adult seat belts or traveling unrestrained.” By providing no-cost car seats and booster seats—and educating parents on their proper use—Clinic in the Park is helping save children’s lives.

By hosting programs that protect and empower children, the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living increases access to critical services for its youngest clients. In facilitating the important work of Clinic in the Park, the Center helps build a safer, healthier community for all.

Close Up: Jannel Rasmussen, MPH Intern

As part of our commitment to community health and education, the Health Professions Training and Development Program at the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living (MHSCHL) provides community-based, experiential training opportunities for students pursuing careers in the health professions.

We currently maintain active affiliations with over 13 universities, offering hands-on learning experiences for graduate-level interns in social work, public health, community health, community nursing, and other fields dedicated to advancing community health.

The recently accredited Susan & Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences’ Wen School of Population & Public Health at UC Irvine is the first School of Public Health in Orange County and the fourth in the UC system. Since 2016, we have hosted more than 10 Master of Public Health (MPH) interns at our Center. MPH interns support the planning, implementation, and evaluation of health education and wellness programs focused on Hoag’s priority health issues: access to health care, behavioral and mental health, and cancer and chronic diseases.

Meet Our MPH Intern: Jannel Rasmussen, Class of 2025

Jannel Rasmussen, a second-year MPH candidate in Epidemiology at UC Irvine, brings four years of experience in hospital-based research, clinical trial management, and community health initiatives to her internship at MHSCHL.

Originally from Washington State, Jannel’s perspective was shaped by summers spent as a therapeutic horsemanship instructor in a rural community. There, she saw firsthand how targeted interventions— even with limited resources—can transform lives.

Her early exposure to health advocacy in underserved populations fueled her deep commitment to equitable health care access. With her background in epidemiology, Jannel is equipped to understand and address patterns of health and disease at the population level.

Jannel combines technical expertise with deep compassion in everything she does. She shares, “The Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living embodies the kind of integrated approach that represents the future of health care delivery and community care.”

Through this collaboration, graduate students like Jannel gain meaningful, hands-on experience while helping address real-world health challenges and making a lasting impact on the communities we serve.

Project Wipeout

A Vital Community Program Since 1979

Launched in 1979 as an initiative to “wipe out” spinal cord injuries at the beach, Project Wipeout continues today as a hospital-based community health program dedicated to beach safety education and drowning prevention. Through partnerships with lifeguard departments, hospital personnel, and nonprofit organizations, Project Wipeout promotes beach and water safety through targeted education initiatives and local community engagement.

SCIENCE OF SKIN CANCER

Project Wipeout partnered with the Hoag Family Cancer Institute to pilot the Science of Skin Cancer program, aimed at educating lifeguards on sun safety and prevention. Launched last summer in collaboration with Dr. Steven Wang, Medical Director of Dermatologic Oncology at Hoag, the program introduced 80 Junior Lifeguards to sun safety measures. The curriculum incorporated elements of science, chemistry, physics, and biology to promote understanding of sun protection and skin cancer prevention. Designed with a STEMbased approach, the program also creates leadership opportunities for pre-med lifeguards or those interested in the medical field. Plans are underway to expand the program to Newport Beach and San Clemente.

NEWPORT MESA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT & THE COSTA MESA DOWNTOWN AQUATICS CENTER

This year, Project Wipeout launched a new spring break program in partnership with Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) and the City of Costa Mesa’s Downtown Aquatics Center (DAC). The initiative offered free swim lessons, water safety education, and hands-on CPR training to students—many of whom were first-time swimmers.

Newport Beach lifeguards and the Costa Mesa Fire Department led sessions on ocean and beach safety, while Hoag’s Dermatologic Oncology team provided guidance on sunscreen application and sun protection. To remove participation barriers, students received towels, goggles, and swimsuits if needed.

HUNTINGTON BEACH LIFEGUARDS/OCEAN VIEW SCHOOL DISTRICT

Since 2021, Project Wipeout has collaborated with the Huntington Beach Lifeguards and the Ocean View School District to launch the Beach Ranger program. “This program is like Junior Lifeguards but without swim requirements,” says Project Wipeout Coordinator Samantha Dieterman. “It provides underserved children from Oak View Elementary the opportunity to gain beach exposure and learn important water safety measures.”

Participants are taught how to stay safe in the water, take a harbor boat ride, and engage in rescue scenario practices. The school district provides free transportation for the 30–50 students involved, and the Huntington Beach Lifeguards provide six lifeguards to support the four-week program.

Community Benefit Impact Overview

2024 Impact Report

4,943

Mental health therapy sessions provided

2,098

Participants in mental health community workshops and groups

2,467

Individuals assisted through case management

1,248

Individuals assisted through resource brokering

8,523

Door-to-door outreach contacts made by Promotores

1,263

One-on-one sessions provided by nurse navigators

158

Nurse-led health ducation workshops delivered

13,366

Individuals participated in wellness classes

1,640

Individuals received professional development training

653

Individuals served through the Farsi service line

163,573

Diapers distributed to 1,468 households

6,229

Individuals received food assistance

227

Individuals received health benefits enrollment assistance through CHIOC

2024 Partner Highlights

297

Individuals received legal assistance through the Public Law Center

774

Individuals participated in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes through HBAS

83

Children received car seats through Clinic in the Park

$59,829

Emergency housing and rental assistance provided to 31 families through Families Forward & Share Ourselves

$111,423

Total savings by 43 individuals through the financial coaching program with United Way

98

Individuals participated in children’s health classes through PODER

341

Children participated in after-school education programs through Girls Inc

128

Individuals received CPR certifications

$207,201

Total debt reduced by 43 individuals through the financial coaching program with United Way

132

Individuals participated in Mommy & Me classes through MOMs Orange County

207

Children received holiday family meals through Bracken’s Kitchen

Gratitude

The Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living is proud to announce that the Center’s atrium now bears the name Steven Fainbarg Community Atrium, in honor of the late Steven Fainbarg and in recognition of the generosity and commitment of Sandy Fainbarg, and Nancy and Irv Chase.

Through this generous gift, the Center has the opportunity to expand its Case Management and Outreach Team. What began as a pilot program has grown into a robust, high-impact service line that is reshaping the way the Center connects with the community. The Outreach Team doesn’t wait for clients to come to the Center—they go out into neighborhoods, laundromats, grocery stores, and schools, meeting people where they are.

Initially staffed by a core group of four, the Outreach Team is now expanding to six to meet the increasing needs of the community. In 2024, the Case Management and Outreach Team completed more than 6,000 client sessions, with referrals increasing by over 70% compared to the previous year.

With continued philanthropic support, the Case Management and Outreach Program can keep bridging the gap between vulnerable populations and the vital resources they need to thrive.

We havethe potentialto open manydoors forthe communityoncethey reach our Center, but it all beginswith a single encounter—out in their neighborhoods—with one ofourtrusted and capable Outreach Team members.

You see, outreach is morethan just a service. It’s an investment in the futurewell-being of ourcommunity.

— Stephanie Cariker, LCSW Manager , Community Health Programs