Over more than six decades of practice at Winchester Hospital, the late Donald J. Annino, MD, made a lasting impression on patients, families, and colleagues. Throughout his tenure, he was known as a compassionate, dedicated, and thoughtful leader. “Dr. Annino changed the very practice of pediatric medicine at Winchester Hospital,” says Mark Ayanian, MD, his longtime associate at Pediatricians, Inc. in Winchester. Following Annino’s passing in November 2022, Pediatricians, Inc. generously made a gift of $100,000 to Winchester Hospital, offered as a matching grant. The nine physicians who lead Pediatricians, Inc., including Ayanian, are inviting the community to join in their support, and to honor Annino’s enduring impact with a gift. With the initial $100k gift and close to $70,000 in additional commitments from the community, they are well on their way to reaching their total goal of $250,000.

Known for making house calls, visiting patients in the hospital, attending delivery of newborns, and answering phone calls at any hour, Annino was highly respected by his peers and deeply beloved by his patients—many of whom were reluctant to “graduate” from his care as they entered adulthood. He was widely admired for his knowledge of medicine and unparalleled diagnostic skills. “Dr. Annino re-envisioned pediatrics by bringing emergency room doctors, neonatologists, and pediatric hospitalists into the hospital to ensure that patients and their families had immediate access to the best pediatric care,” says former colleague Maura Sullivan, MD.  

Pediatricians, Inc. consists of nine physicians: Ayanian, Sullivan, Kathleen Courtney, MD, Elizabeth Doherty, MD, Kathleen Fortin, MD, Sonia Inacio, MD, Scott Schluter, MD, Laura Vitale, MD, and Emily Suther, MD. Two of the nine are former patients of Annino. Their matching gift invites the community to honor his legacy by supporting valuable advancements at Winchester Hospital’s Special Care Nursery, where more than 2,600 babies are welcomed annually. Maternal and child health has always been a top priority at Winchester. Since 1988, the hospital’s Level IIB Special Care Nursery has been providing expert, compassionate care to newborns needing specialized services. There, babies receive high-quality nursing and medical care, as care teams skillfully prepare families to take their newborns home. 

This meaningful gift is the perfect tribute to Annino’s many years of dedicated service to local children and families. Already, the outpouring of support from community members in response to the matching grant has been heartwarming. Generations of area families remain grateful for Annino’s talented care and calming guidance, which reassured children and parents alike, through all types of circumstances. “Anyone who came into his orbit felt safe,” says Sullivan. “They knew he would take care of them and make them feel better.” 

Please make a gift in honor of Donald J. Annino, MD. Check the “Select Gift Designation” box and then choose “Special Care Nursery Fund” from the dropdown menu.

For more information, call Denise Flynn at 781-756-2155. Any gift of $1,000 or more will qualify the donor for membership in Winchester Hospital’s 1912 Leadership Giving Society.