Tragedy often leads to isolation. For Denise Wunderler, DO, FAOASM (COM 2004), the sudden loss of her two-year-old daughter, Vienna, ignited an unyielding mission to raise awareness about Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC). As a mother of three, physician and tireless advocate, Wunderler turned her devastating grief into a global movement to ensure no other family faces this unexplained loss alone.
The sudden loss of Vienna
In 2017, Wunderler’s life was forever changed when her youngest daughter, Vienna, passed away unexpectedly in her sleep. Despite being physicians, Wunderler and her husband, Mike Savino, DO, had never heard of SUDC, a condition which claims the lives of children from 1 to 18. Unlike Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), SUDC occurs in healthy children, yet it is rarely discussed or recognized in the medical community.
The loss left Wunderler grappling with an agonizing question: Why did this happen? But more than that, she felt an overwhelming responsibility to raise awareness for SUDC, a condition that has been largely invisible.
Founding Team Vienna
In the wake of her daughter’s death, Wunderler founded Team Vienna 4 SUDC Awareness, a volunteer led nonprofit dedicated to educating the medical community and public, as well as supporting critical research. Initially hesitant to speak publicly about her loss, she realized that her unique position as both a physician and mother could lend credibility to the cause.
Global movement of awareness
What began as a deeply personal response to her daughter death soon grew into a global movement. Through Team Vienna, Wunderler launched Vienna’s Day of International SUDC Awareness in 2018, which has united participants from all seven continents in raising awareness. “The support we’ve received has been incredible,” Wunderler said. “Seeing people from all corners of the world join in solidarity is both humbling and empowering.”
Wunderler has also dedicated time to developing educational materials for medical schools and residency programs to help train the next generation of health care providers. She regularly speaks at medical institutions, urging students and residents to learn about SUDC’s impact and to make it part of their clinical awareness.
To honor her daughter's memory, Wunderler brings pink roses and a photo of Vienna to every speaking engagement. Team Vienna's campaign has grown to include billboards across eastern Pennsylvania, as well as an iconic 60-foot Bell Works tower in Holmdel, New Jersey, that lights up in pink each year on Vienna’s birthday. These efforts both celebrate her life and raise awareness for SUDC.
In addition, Wunderler produced a short documentary that is currently being submitted to various film festivals. The documentary highlights Vienna’s story and aims to bring more attention to the condition and ongoing research.
A significant portion of the funds raised by Team Vienna supports the Robert’s Program at Boston Children’s Hospital, where researchers are working to better understand and prevent SUDC. The program also offers vital support to families coping with the devastating loss of a child—a theme that is also featured in Vienna’s film.
Balancing advocacy with professional roles
In addition to her advocacy for SUDC, Wunderler serves as a physician for Harley-Davidson, focusing on workplace wellness programs. She also dedicates significant time as an international team physician for USA Volleyball, supporting the Men’s and Women’s Junior National Teams at tournaments worldwide.
Looking ahead: preventing future losses
Despite the emotional toll, Wunderler sees her advocacy to honor Vienna’s memory and help prevent other families from experiencing similar heartache. “Talking about Vienna is the best way to keep her spirit alive,” she says. “If we can save just one family from going through this devastating, life-long struggle, it’s all worth it.”
Looking to the future, Wunderler remains committed to volunteering and expanding Team Vienna’s impact and ensuring SUDC gets the recognition it deserves. "I’ve chosen to take the pain of losing my sweet darling daughter and turn it into something meaningful," she says. "That’s what Team Vienna is all about—taking tragedy and using it to make a difference positive difference in the world. It takes a team to do that."
How to get involved
Click here to learn more about how you can support Team Vienna’s mission and raise awareness for SUDC or follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Your involvement can help ensure that Vienna’s legacy lives on and no family faces the devastation of SUDC alone.
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