Sunstone Psychiatry for Women adds Christina Penderghest to clinical team

Sunstone Psychiatry for Women has brought on Christina Penderghest, CRNP, to expand its women’s mental health services in Philadelphia and beyond. The hire adds more than 12 years of psychiatric experience and supports the practice’s push for personalized care across major life stages.

Why it matters: - Christina Penderghest’s addition gives Sunstone Psychiatry for Women more capacity to serve women seeking psychiatric care across life transitions and hormonal changes. - The hire strengthens the practice’s ability to provide personalized treatment through online psychiatry for patients in Pennsylvania and beyond. - Sunstone Psychiatry for Women is positioning itself to meet demand for evidence-based women’s mental health care with a broader clinical team.

What happened: - Sunstone Psychiatry for Women announced that Christina Penderghest, CRNP, has joined the practice. - Penderghest brings more than 12 years of clinical experience in psychiatric care. - The practice said the hire expands its clinical team and deepens its commitment to women’s mental health care. - The announcement was made Sept. 1, 2026, from Philadelphia.

The details: - Penderghest has worked with Sunstone Psychiatry for Women co-founders Dr. Morgan Lewis and Dr. Jessica Benson for several years. - She previously worked at the Women’s Emotional Wellness Center through Main Line Health for more than a decade. - Penderghest is a Psychiatric Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner. - She earned a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from Kenyon College. - She completed her nursing education at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. - Her background includes community-based mental health programs, general outpatient services, intensive outpatient services, partial hospitalization programs, inpatient psychiatric care and residential treatment. - Sunstone Psychiatry for Women said that range of experience helps Penderghest understand patients in the context of life, relationships, health and treatment needs. - The practice offers psychiatric evaluations, medication management and psychotherapy through online psychiatry services. - Sunstone focuses on care for perimenopause, pregnancy, postpartum and other mental health challenges.

Between the lines: - The hire suggests Sunstone is investing in capacity and continuity as women’s mental health needs become more complex across different stages of life. - Penderghest’s prior work with the founders points to a close existing professional relationship, which may help with integration into the practice. - The emphasis on holistic care signals a treatment model that blends medical and emotional context, not just symptom management.

What's next: - Sunstone Psychiatry for Women is likely to use the expanded team to serve more patients and support longer-term care planning. - The practice will continue delivering virtual psychiatric services for women navigating hormonal and life-stage transitions. - Penderghest’s role may help Sunstone extend its reach in Philadelphia and beyond as demand for specialized women’s mental health care grows.