Honoring Dr. Philip Sunshine: A Pioneer in Neonatal Medicine
Inspired by Dr. Sunshine's extraordinary life and legacy, we are coming together to continue to support the health and wellbeing of sick and premature infants at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford—and around the world. Gifts made in honor of Dr. Sunshine will support neonatology programs at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, as designated by his family. All donations are 100% tax deductible.
About Dr. Sunshine
Dr. Philip Sunshine, who passed away at the remarkable age of 94, dedicated his career to the most vulnerable newborns, transforming their care and leaving an indelible mark on the lives of countless families.
A visionary in the field of pediatrics, Dr. Sunshine recognized early on the unique needs of premature and critically ill infants. He was instrumental in establishing neonatology as a distinct specialty and his pioneering efforts helped to improve survival rates and long-term outcomes for countless children. At the start of Dr. Sunshine’s career, more than half of premature babies died. Today, more than 90% survive.
Dr. Sunshine contributed to some of the biggest advances in the field, including putting newborns with breathing problems on ventilators, welcoming parents to their infants’ bedsides in the neonatal intensive care unit, and bringing obstetric and neonatal care under one roof at Packard Children’s, a change that fostered major advances in maternal-fetal medicine.
For decades, Dr. Sunshine poured his heart and expertise into caring for babies at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford. His dedication extended beyond clinical practice to include teaching and mentorship, shaping generations of pediatricians and neonatologists who continue his legacy of compassionate and cutting-edge care.
The impact of Dr. Sunshine's work is immeasurable. From the development of innovative treatments to his unwavering advocacy for the tiniest patients, he laid the foundation for the sophisticated neonatal care we see today—and trained generations of care team members. For many, his kindness is what stood out most. Neonatologist Susan Hintz, MD, one of the many leaders Sunshine helped train and a close friend, described him as the “moral compass of neonatology” for his ability to communicate honestly with families about a child’s health, regardless of whether the news was challenging, encouraging or a mix.
Dr. Sunshine will forever be a part of the DNA of Packard Children's. Learn more about Dr. Sunshine's tremendous life and legacy.
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Donations via Check
If you prefer to make a donation via check, please follow these instructions:
Please mail checks to:
Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health
Attn: Gift Processing
400 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 340
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Please write “In Honor of Dr. Sunshine” in the notes section on the check or enclosed note.
Tax ID: 77-0440090
For our international supporters: Please contact the Gift Administration team at Gift.Processing@LPFCH.org or by phone at 1-650-461-9980. We would be happy to assist you in making a gift.
To learn more about making a significant or long-term gift to recognize Dr. Sunshine’s impact: Please contact Nicholas Mourlam, Director of Development, Mothers and Babies, at Nicholas.Mourlam@LPFCH.org.
If you would like to discuss a donor advised fund or stock gift: Please email Gift.Processing@LPFCH.org or call 1-650-461-9980.