Remembering Dr. William Edward Sherry

Heather Phan Sherry with her late husband, Dr. William Edward Sherry

The newly renovated Chapel at the Dennis and Carol Troesh Medical Campus has a sacred purpose — to provide comfort and spiritual strength for patients, their families, and caregivers. Thanks to the generosity of many, including Heather Phan Sherry in honor of her late husband, Dr. William Edward Sherry, the Chapel is fulfilling its mission.

For Heather, the decision to support the chapel was an expression of her faith and the deep love she and William shared. “I know I do not walk alone,” she reflected. “The Lord is with me daily, and William’s memory is always surrounding me. By giving in support of the Chapel, I hope others will also feel God’s presence and know they are not alone.”

A Life Rooted in Faith and Service

Heather and William married in 1994 and built a life centered on God’s call to love and serve others. They returned to Loma Linda in 2014 and found a spiritual home at Loma Linda University Church. There, they deepened their connection to God and to the mission of Loma Linda University Health: “To continue the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ.”

“What resonated so strongly with us,” Heather recalled, “was that Loma Linda heals people physically and also shares God’s love with people spiritually — here in the United States and around the world.”

Over the years, Heather has walked through profound seasons of loss, and when William passed away in 2020, she sought a way to honor him that reflected not only his career in medicine but also the foundation of their life together: faith. Supporting the chapel became the perfect choice. For her, it is both a tribute to her beloved husband and a way to extend their shared love to others.

“I have lost a lot of my family, but I don’t feel lonely. The Lord is the center of my life, and the memories I carry with my husband fill me with joy. Surrounding me are reminders of God’s goodness, and the people God has placed in my life continue to bless me. By giving in his honor, I hope others will also feel the presence of Jesus and experience his healing love.”

A Distinguished Career of Service

Born in San Francisco in 1944, William pursued science and medicine in earnest, earning degrees from UC Berkeley and UCLA and did his internship at Loma Linda University Medical Center. It was here that he embraced the mission of caring for the whole person, discovering a lifelong love for Loma Linda and a commitment to treating every patient with compassion and kindness. His career spanned nearly 40 years as a senior deputy medical examiner in Los Angeles County, where he became a respected expert in forensic pathology and a mentor to generations of students and residents.

Those who knew William remember his skill and professionalism, but Heather hopes that his legacy will also be defined by the kindness, humility, and compassion he freely shared. She believes his advice to young physicians would be to treat every patient with dignity, serve with kindness, and never forget the importance of caring for the whole person.

Extending Faith and Love to Others

Heather’s philanthropy is also a way of fulfilling the missionary calling she once dreamed of as a young woman. Although her path did not take her directly to the mission fields, her support of the chapel enables her to live out that calling — extending compassionate, Christ-centered care to patients, families, and caregivers who may pause, pray, and draw strength in the chapel.

“I hope this gift will help others see Jesus, find comfort in His arms, and have their burdens lifted,” Heather said.