Sam Sunshine, MD
OC Sports and Wellness
Committed to Your Health.
Meet Dr. Samuel “Sam” Sunshine
Board-Certified in Family Medicine & Sports Medicine | Functional Medicine Physician | Triathlete & Performance Athlete
A Different Kind of Physician
When you choose a sports medicine physician in Orange County, you deserve someone who listens, cares, and treats you as a whole person — not just a case number.
Dr. Sunshine and his team at OC Sports and Wellness are committed to building trust, offering compassionate care, and delivering personalized treatment plans that focus on healing, prevention, and long-term health. Our philosophy is simple: prevent illness when possible, and treat root causes rather than just symptoms. With Dr. Sunshine, you get a physician who takes the time to understand your body, your lifestyle, and your goals — and works with you to build a plan to reach them.
Why Dr. Sunshine?
With decades of experience treating professional and amateur athletes alike, Dr. Sam Sunshine delivers world-class, healthcare that prioritizes your goals—whether that’s getting back in the game, elevating performance, or staying ahead of injury—and gets you back to doing what you love, stronger than before.
- Holistic & Preventive Care — Dr. Sunshine believes that preventing illness is often easier (and more effective) than treating it. He educates patients about potential health risks and partners with them to reduce those risks.
- “Skills, not Pills” Approach — As a lifelong athlete and triathlete, he models the healthy habits he recommends. He encourages sustainable lifestyle changes: good nutrition, regular movement, and mental and physical balance.
- Regenerative & Functional Medicine — Instead of relying solely on medications, Dr. Sunshine often recommends regenerative medicine (e.g., tissue-repair therapies) combined with functional medicine to support the body’s natural healing processes — an approach that can yield strong outcomes for sports-related injuries and chronic conditions.
- Direct Primary Care Model — Through OC Sports and Wellness’s Direct Primary Care approach, patients receive more affordable, accessible, and personalized care. This model emphasizes longer visits, one-on-one attention, and a simplified patient-physician relationship — avoiding the rushed appointments of traditional clinics.
Who He Helps
Dr. Sunshine provides care to a wide variety of patients, including:
- Professional athletes (active and retired)
- Amateur athletes (runners, triathletes, cyclists, etc.)
- Weekend warriors and recreational sports enthusiasts
- People recovering from sports injuries or chronic overuse injuries
- Professionals and performance artists seeking overall health, vitality, and injury prevention
Whether you’re rehabilitating an injury, optimizing athletic performance, or simply wanting personalized, long-term healthcare — Dr. Sunshine’s practice is designed to support your goals
In His Own Words
“Becoming your best self requires making positive, health-supporting daily choices … consistent physical activity, and wholesome nutrition.”
Dr. Sunshine’s philosophy is rooted in the idea that real health comes from lifestyle, movement, and habits — not just prescriptions.
Background & Credentials
Private Practice Since 1999
Education & Training
- B.A. in Human Biology — Stanford University
- M.D. — Keck School of Medicine of USC
- Internship: General Surgery — Keck / USC
- Residency: Family Medicine — Kaiser Permanente
- Fellowship: Sports Medicine — Kaiser Permanente
Certifications
- Board-Certified in Family Medicine
- Board-Certified in Sports Medicine
Academic Involvement
- Dr. Sunshine serves as a volunteer faculty member at both the USC Keck School of Medicine and the UCI School of Medicine, and over the past two decades has mentored many medical students.
What to Expect at OC Sports and Wellness
At OC Sports and Wellness, you’ll experience:
- A welcoming, compassionate environment where you’re heard and respected.
- Comprehensive evaluations — including biomechanics, functional medicine assessments, and regenerative therapy planning when appropriate.
- A focus on long-term wellness, not quick fixes.
- Personalized care tailored to your lifestyle, goals, and body.
