For Immediate Release:
October 4, 2012

Southcoast Health System and Boston Children's Hospital announce Medical Leadership for new Regional Pediatric Service

Physicians return to their home towns to head new pediatric program at St. Luke's

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast™ Health System and Boston Children's Hospital today announced the appointment of Brian E. Sard, MD, as Medical Director of Pediatric Services, and Athena Xifaras, MD, Associate Director of Pediatric Services, as part of the new regional pediatric program at St. Luke's Hospital. Both physicians reside in the South Coast region.

Brian E. Sard, MD Download hi-res image

As Medical Director, Dr. Sard is responsible for medical oversight, development and coordination of Southcoast's hospital-based pediatric services. He brings more than 10 years of pediatric emergency medicine experience to Southcoast Pediatric Services, previously working at Newton-Wellesley Hospital.

Dr. Sard is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago's Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, Ill. He completed an internship and residency in pediatrics at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and completed a fellowship in pediatric emergency medicine at Boston Medical Center. Dr. Sard is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric emergency medicine. He has special interests in pediatric emergency medicine and quality improvement.

Dr. Sard resides in Dartmouth with his wife, Stacey Knox, MD, and their daughter. He enjoys fly fishing, skiing and cycling.

Athena Xifaras, MD Download hi-res image

As Associate Director, Dr. Xifaras will work closely with Dr. Sard to implement and monitor clinical quality standards that are consistent with the American Academy of Pediatrics and Boston Children's guidelines as well as other appropriate standards to deliver the highest quality of pediatric care to the region.

Dr. Xifaras is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester. She completed an internship in pediatrics at Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. Dr. Xifaras is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. Her special interests include pediatric obesity and quality improvement. She currently serves as a member of the City of New Bedford's Board of Health.

Dr. Xifaras resides in Dartmouth with her husband, Jason Wentworth, and their two children. She enjoys tennis, yoga and running.

About Southcoast Pediatric Services

Southcoast Pediatric Services is a clinical collaboration between Southcoast Health System and Boston Children's Hospital to provide enhanced local access to high-quality pediatric care to children and families across the South Coast region.

Southcoast Pediatric Services is centered at St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford. Boston Children's pediatricians provide 24/7 onsite pediatric care working with local physicians in pediatrics, family medicine and emergency medicine. Additionally, remote pediatric consultative services are available to the Emergency Departments at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River and Tobey Hospital in Wareham.

Learn more at www.southcoast.org/pediatrics/.