James C. Zozobrado

James Clifford G. Zozobrado, M.D., FAAP age 56, of Chandler, AZ, died Tuesday, August 2, 2022, in Port Charlotte, Florida.

James Clifford Zozobrado was born, on November 3, 1965, in Cebu City, Philippines to Antonio and Lizetta (Garciano) Zozobrado. He was raised in Cebu and received his undergrad in Biology from Velez College in Cebu City in 1996 where he was elected to the Biological Honor Society. With his love of science, James attended the University of the Visayas - Gullas College of Medicine in Cebu City, where he earned his Medical Degree in 1990.

James met his wife Jeanne Sandmann in 1985 while attending Velez College. They dated for seven years and were married in 1993 in Cebu City, Philippines. After medical school, James and Jeanne relocated to the U.S.

He completed his Pediatric Residency at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, NJ where he was Chief Resident for the Department of Pediatrics. James completed his fellowship in Newborn Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine - St Louis Children’s Hospital.

James and his family moved to Arizona where James became the Medical Director and Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Chandler Regional Medical Center. He was instrumental in developing Chandler Regionals Level II EQ NICU. He was also the Medical Director at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center and assisted in developing the nursery program to Level II - ESCN. He loved working with the physicians and nurses which he lovingly referred to as his Dignity family.

James was a staff Neonatologist at hospitals throughout the Phoenix area, He was an Instructor, a member of the Speakers Bureau, and an Assistant Professor. He has several publications and professional affiliations.

In 2020 James moved to Punta Gorda FL to work at Shore Point Hospital in Port Charlotte. He was employed by Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. He absolutely loved Florida and really enjoyed working with the Doctors and nurses at the hospital. His new friends made him feel at home and reminded him of living in the Philippines. He was asked to help develop the NICU program at Mountain Vista Medical Center back in Arizona, so in true James fashion, he said “yes”, which required him to commute back and forth between the two states. Clearly, James loved what he did and loved the people he worked with.

James was known by his colleagues, residents, nurses, and patients as a compassionate, patient, and caring physician. He was a natural-born teacher with the patience to explain in a way for anyone to understand. He had a heart of gold and would never turn anyone down in need. He was concerned with both his patients and with their parents, spending time with them and getting to know them. Parents described him as gracious, caring, and passionate. Always willing to answer questions and calm their fears.

James was a devout Catholic and tried to attend mass daily. He loved to fish and would spend hours tying lines, buying new poles and lures, and fishing on the piers with his friends in Florida. Even if he didn’t have much time, he would run down to the pier just to throw his line in. It was truly his happy place. James also loved the family game night, traveling with his family, driving his Corvette, managing business ventures in Cebu, and eating Jeanne's delicious homemade baked treats.
Survivors include his wife Jeanne of 29 years, three children, Michael (Genevieve) Zozobrado, of Cebu City, Philippines, Lois Zozobrado of Nashville, TN, Lizetta Zozobrado of Chandler, AZ. One grandson, Nikolaj Hugh Zozobrado; Three brothers, Jason Zozobrado (Olga) of Phoenix, AZ, Erick Zozobrado (Connie), of Cebu, Michael Zozobrado (Gilda) of Hamberg, Germany: Three sisters, Grace Tombo (Roger) of New Jersey, Anjanette (Ace) Zozobrado of New York, and Joanne Zozobrado (Sean) of Cebu; three sisters-in-law, Dr. Florence Sandmann of Queen Creek, AZ, Dr. Susan Sandmann-Uy (Matt) of Gilbert, AZ, Dr. Nancy Sandmann-Tiuseco (Rick) of Shawnee, OK and too-many- to list nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his parents.

The Philippines was always in James’ heart and will always be his home and thus, his final resting place.