You could say Dr. Rex Hoffman’s leadership role over the Clinical Institutes in Providence Southern California began at the dinner table. His father was an interventional radiologist and filled the dinner conversations with fascinating patient stories, capturing his son’s interest and beginning his passion for medicine. Even though he knew he wanted to become a doctor, Rex Hoffman, MD, majored in economics (minored in chemistry), simply because he wanted to challenge his mind and learn something not related to science.
Rex Hoffman graduated from Tulane University Medical School and went on to complete a four-year residency in radiation oncology at University of California, San Francisco, which included a two-month lymphoma elective at Stanford University. A lifelong learner, more recently Dr. Hoffman completed the Indiana University Kelley School of Business of Medicine MBA program.
His father was renowned for his clinical practice and is recognized in the Smithsonian Institution for developing the first sheath to be used in coronary angiography work. His uncle was a medical oncologist, so Dr. Hoffman feels that as a radiation oncologist he gets to experience the best of both worlds, reading images and helping treat cancer.
Dr. Hoffman always has migrated toward leadership roles and enjoys collaborating to find solutions that provide high quality care and increase operational efficiencies, while focusing on how doctors can be successful. While at Providence his leadership journey began as the medical director of radiation oncology at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank. In 2014-15 he became chair of the Radiation Oncology Clinical Performance Group (CPG) where, with the help of others, he led a health system-wide effort that ultimately resulted in 12 different radiation oncology departments across five states within Providence. The goal was to obtain new linear accelerators so they could provide state-of- the-art care in the communities they serve. From 2016-20 he went on to serve as the co-chair of the Cancer Leadership Council at the system level, which provides strategic oversight to the 52 hospitals across the enterprise. In 2019, he became the chief medical officer at Providence Holy Cross and has played an integral part in the clinical quality awards that ministry receives on a regular basis. In July 2020 he became the chief medical officer of the eight Clinical Institutes in Southern California, which include Cancer, Digestive Health, Heart & Vascular, Mental Health, Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Research and Women’s and Children’s.
Dr. Hoffman sees many benefits in adopting the clinical institute model. The vision is simple. Providence will be the market leader for specialty services with unrivaled excellence and the partner of choice for patients, payers, providers and employers. To get there, we are prioritizing four key pillars of transformational growth: world-class reputation, outstanding patient and provider experience, rapid market share growth and maintaining a sustainable cost structure. Achieving this vision not will only make us more attractive to those we serve, but should encourage patients to stay within our network, thereby decreasing outmigration.
Interesting fun facts about Dr. Hoffman:
- Born in Landstuhl, West Germany, where his dad was stationed during Vietnam to oversee the development of a catheterization lab.
- As a youth, he competed in tennis against Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi and was ranked in the top 20 in California.
- His passion for wine tasting led him to meet his wife. Together they have been on four international wine tasting trips.
- Family is very important. He loves visiting the zoo and Legoland with his 3- and 5-year-old children.
