Dr. Sunny Park was born in Seoul, South Korea, and moved to the United States with her family when she was 10 years old. Dr. Park grew up in Los Angeles and attended UC Berkeley. She received her bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cell Biology with Honors in Research, a minor in music, as well as a master’s degree in Public Health (MPH).
Dr. Park received her Medical Degree (MD) from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She completed her residency in Head and Neck Surgery at Penn State University, and was trusted to serve as Chief Resident. During her residency, she received the Best Scientific Research Award from the Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and a Research Travel Grant from the Korean-American Otolaryngology Society. Driven by her passion for the face, Dr. Park was chosen to a prestigious fellowship to study under one of the foremost authorities in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dr. Fred Stucker, in Shreveport, Louisiana.
After training for more than 10 years, Dr. Park gained invaluable experience by working in major hospital systems in both the east and west coasts. She was recognized and received several teaching awards from Family Medicine and Dermatology residency programs while working as a Clinical Professor and Instructor. Dr. Park was the recipient of the “Top Doc” award from the South Jersey Magazine. In 2015, she decided to open up a private practice in Newport Beach, California to be closer to family and to fulfill her dream of having autonomy. Her hospital affiliations include staff membership at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach.
Dr. Park is an active member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; she is on several committees and speaks regularly at the annual meetings. She has written numerous papers and book chapters on topics such as nasal reconstruction, skin resurfacing techniques, stem cells and facial trauma. She has also contributed as a peer reviewer for medical journals such as Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, Laryngoscope and Archives of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery.
VOLUNTEER WORK
Dr. Sunny Park believes in giving back to the community and to people who may not have the resources. She has participated in various international medical mission trips in the past and hopes to continue as long as she is in practice.
Philippines – June, 2010
During this trip, Dr. Sunny Park and her team performed surgeries to repair cleft lips and cleft palates. Most of these patients were young kids who had no other means to repair the deformities. In addition to having the stigma of looking different, some of these kids also had eating difficulties due to large holes on their palates. Repairing the cleft lip and palate deformities on these pediatric patients gave the team an opportunity to make a difference.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – November, 2019
This medical trip was unique in that it was an educational mission to teach surgeons and physicians in Vietnam. The team members, comprised of facial plastic surgeons from throughout the US, each prepared 5-6 presentations on various topics in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, and lectured over the course of a week. In addition, surgeries were performed where various surgical techniques were shown to the surgeons, and everyone learned from each other. Two hospitals were visited in Ho Chi Minh City where kind hospitality from the Vietnamese physicians was overwhelmingly evident.
