Phyllis Sterne, who experienced an emergency C-section and a five-week stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Stony Brook University Hospital over 40 years ago, has established two funds to support NICU services and nursing education at the institution.
In 2021, Sterne created the Phyllis Zuckerwise Sterne and Family NICU Nurse Practitioner Scholarship to aid graduate students enrolled in the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program at Stony Brook’s School of Nursing. Earlier this year, she furthered her commitment by establishing the NICU Endowed Fund for Excellence. This fund is intended to provide ongoing support for programs, outreach initiatives, and equipment needs within the NICU.
“Phyllis Sterne’s generosity will have a lasting impact on the care we provide to our tiniest and most vulnerable patients,” said Thomas Diacovo, MD, vice chair of research and chief of neonatology at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital.