HOGAN RESIGNS AS CHIEF SURGEON AT IEAH’S EQUINE HOSPITAL
By Ray Paulick
Dr. Patricia Hogan has resigned as chief surgeon at the Ruffian Equine Medical Center adjacent to Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. The 26,000-square-foot veterinary hospital, built at a cost of $18 million by International Equine Acquisitions Holdings, opened last May after numerous delays related to the difficult lending market.
Hogan confirmed that she resigned in mid-February but would not comment on the reason for her departure.
“I spent the past five years assisting in the designing, building, and start-up of the REMC,” she told the Paulick Report. “It is a first-class facility and I hired an excellent staff to run it. I firmly believe in the concept of having a hospital of this magnitude in close proximity to the horsemen of New York.
“I hope that people can look past the controversies that seem to surround the IEAH group and see the greater good as far as this hospital is concerned–it is a very valuable asset to the equine population of the greater New York area and provides critical medical and surgical care, as well as advanced diagnostic capabilities a mere stone’s throw from the backstretch of Belmont Park.”
A 1992 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania school of veterinary medicine, Hogan had a three-year surgical residency at Texas A&M University, then spent 11 years as a surgeon at the New Jersey Equine Clinic. She opened her own practice—Hogan Equine at Fair Winds Farm. in Cream Ridge, N.J.–in 2007.
Copyright © 2010, The Paulick Report
Savvy businesses recognize value. Advertise in the Paulick Report.
Sign up for our Email Flashes to get the latest news, analysis and commentary from Ray Paulick
Tags: belmont park, Dr. Patricia Hogan, Elmont, Equine Acquistitions Holdings, Ray Paulick, ruffian equine medical center
March 1st, 2010 at 7:37 am
That’s interesting. Who is now the chief surgeon so that this facility can continue to be a valuable asset?
March 1st, 2010 at 7:54 am
hee hee hee
March 1st, 2010 at 8:00 am
Good luck and pleasant travels Dr. Hogan…the horses need you.
Wonder if funding is the main problem?…hmmm, I wonder if it’s the nature of the institutionalized abuse of equines for the purpose of racing?????
March 1st, 2010 at 8:50 am
“I hope that people can look past the controversies that seem to surround the IEAH group and see the greater good as far as this hospital is concerned…”
That seemed kind of cryptic to say in a general resignation announcement. Why even bring that up?
Hope they get a vet of equal talent to fill the spot - she is absolutely correct that Long Island and Belmont need that kind of facility close at hand.
March 1st, 2010 at 8:55 am
With IEAH and Zayat leading the way, it’s a wonder that racing isn’t viewed more positively…
March 1st, 2010 at 9:00 am
Dr. Patricia Hogan has apparently re-discovered her self-respect.
March 1st, 2010 at 9:07 am
Time for IEAH to update their website. I wonder why it has taken two weeks for this story to get out? It’s not like IEAH to get in the way of a good story.
Any rumor to the fact that TVG’s Frank Lyons picked out Radiohead for IEAH? Why does HRTV allow it’s employee Gary Steven’s to be listed as senior advisor and bloodstock consultant on IEAH’s website? Anyone else see a conflict of interest? Too many people wearing to many hats in this business.
March 1st, 2010 at 9:25 am
What a loss for the Ruffian Center - I’m know Dr. Hogan will make sure it’s staffed with excellent people, but that is really a shame. I’m going to guess Dr. Hogan got tired of being harrassed. That intelligent individuals were unable to separate Dr. Hogan, the Center, and all of the good they both do (e.g., treating an injured thoroughbred for free that then went to New Vocations for re-training and adoption) from their feelings about IEAH is so discouraging.
March 1st, 2010 at 10:01 am
I never understoof the hatred for IEAH aside from the fact that they are from NY.
Someone explain to me exactly what “crimes” IEAH have committed?
The IWR case has two possible guilty parties Lanzman/Mullins and IEAH..and this is a recent development.
This story tells the reflects the real agenda of the posters in this thread…not the big plus of an equine hospital near Belmont but the joy that the chief surgeon is quitting. Hypocrites.
March 1st, 2010 at 10:07 am
Dr. Hogan still has her own practice, does quite a bit of pro bono work for rescue orgs in the Mid-Atlantic, and is doing more advocacy/lobbying work on racehorse welfare. IOW, she has a full plate.
March 1st, 2010 at 10:36 am
Just to clarify - Ruffian Equine has had a full time surgeon since opening in May 2009 - Dr. Chris Byron. Dr. Hogan was commuting from New Jersey two days a week, but our full time staff of veterinarians and veterinary technicians will continue to be here full time to meet the medical needs of the racing and sport/pleasure horses on Long Island as we have since the hospital opened.
We wish Dr. Hogan the best!
March 1st, 2010 at 10:45 am
Animaldoc: Nice pr work, no offense to Dr. Byron (who “?) but Patty Hogan was the draw for this hospital. Good luck!!!
Reese: Get out from under your rock and get informed.
March 1st, 2010 at 11:09 am
if they want someone with expertise in equine drugs and pain management, they should hire Jeff Mullins as a replacement for Dr. Hogan……
March 1st, 2010 at 11:11 am
Horsewhisperer…since you have “all the answers” why don’t YOU inform me instead of YOUR useless, cryptic comments. You say nothing.
March 1st, 2010 at 11:25 am
Question is: Who was first to get fed-up with the other?
Do note, Animaldoc (an Insider ?) clearly explains the Clinic has been operating five out of seven days, without the presence of Hogan. Not surprising, considering the Clinic does much other veterinary work apart from selective, elective orthopedic procedures. It is not necessary to be an opera buff to know you cannot stage an opera with only the Prima Donna.
The claim of designing, etc. and hiring the staff, strikes my memory as false or exaggerated. (Shades of Smarty Jones ?). A very well-known, highly respected local veterinarian was reported by IEAH to be the ‘man in charge’. I can’t remember his name, but horsemen at Belmont and Aqueduct know him.
Based on her uncharitable words about previous superiors, perhaps there will be further ‘disclosures’.
March 1st, 2010 at 11:30 am
“I can’t remember his name, but horsemen at Belmont and Aqueduct know him.”
Dr. Jim Hunt. Both he and Hogan were deeply involved in the development of the clinic.
The likelihood that it was IEAH that became fed up with Dr. Hogan and not vice versa is, roughly, nil.
March 1st, 2010 at 11:57 am
I’m sorry to see Dr. Hogan leaving the Ruffian clinic. It was a huge comfort knowing that she was there to do surgery if we needed it — as, in fact we did last June — without having to ship an injured horse to New Jersey.
Dr. Hogan is definitely one of the good guys in racing (Guys being a gender-neutral term for these purposes). While I’ve been critical of IEAH from time to time, having the clinic across the street from the Belmont backstretch is a terrific achievement. Dr. Jim Hunt, who supervises the non-surgical practice, is another of the good guys, and I hope he’s able to continue.
We obviously don’t know the whole story, and I suspect Dr. Hogan is too polite to be the one who tells tales. But I’m sure that she did the right thing, for herself, her practice, and the integrity of the game.
March 1st, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Actor, jockey, bloodstock agent, jockey agent, product endorser, trainer, network TV and HRTV analyst et al. Stevens lends his name to anything that he can make a buck on.
Lyons is an extremely successful bloodstock agent who probably makes ten times what he makes at TVG buying and selling horses. I’m surprised he even shows up to work.
If either TVG or HRTV has a conflict of interest issue with their IEAH involvement, both of the guys have been upfront about their relationship with the partnership group.
March 1st, 2010 at 12:11 pm
eebayou, thanks for the information.
March 1st, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Stevens has A.D.D.
March 1st, 2010 at 1:27 pm
Nice scoop Ray! I am not surprised on hearing this news but curious as to why IEAH or Ruffian Equine Medical Center did not take the opportunity to inform the racing public of Dr, Hogan departure. After all, Dr. Hogan was front and center of all the media blitz in the constructing and staffing of this facility. I was under the impression that Dr. Hogan was on contract? I may have been misinformed. However, Dr. Hogan departure is quite disturbing to me, It hasn’t been a year since the opening.
I am sure that Dr. Hunt would do what it takes to maintain the integrity of his (I really mean’t IEAH ) hospital.
March 1st, 2010 at 1:38 pm
Also, I wonder if Dr. Hogan’s faithful supporters would opt to send their horses if need be to her hospital in New Jersey or to the other hospital on Plainfield.
March 1st, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Onthedownlow: speaking just as one owner, we sent our horses to New Jersey before Dr. Hogan was available at the Ruffian Center, and we’ll do it again now that she’s back in NJ full time. There’s no one — and that includes the media stars in Kentucky and Pennsylvania — that I’d rather have taking care of my horse.
March 1st, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Geez, we don’t get our favorite photo of Iavarone to accompany the piece?
March 1st, 2010 at 8:42 pm
Say what you want about Dr Hogan but the fact of the matter is she’s the go to surgeon on the east coast. She has the best skills, best staff, best price. Your horses are NOT touched by vet students , interns, or residents. She talks to you like a human being and not a vet. Love or hate her personality but all that matters is she’s the best orthopedic surgeon in the country
March 1st, 2010 at 11:05 pm
Has IEAH ever been involved in any lawsuits?
March 5th, 2010 at 10:30 pm
For several nights I’ve been on “foal watch”, so have not been able to keep up with this.
May be too late for anyone to read this.
#25. Katie. You must be Hogan’s mother, so what you write is forgivable - even if it is so much BS!