Dr. Richard E. Berlin to oversee quality of global medical programs
Sheridan Healthcare Pediatric Anesthesiologist Named Associate Chief Medical Officer for Operation Smile
<0> Sheridan Healthcare, Inc.Erica Park, 954-838-2956orGreenough CommunicationsRachel Vaccari, 617-275-6521 </0>
, a hospital-based, multispecialty physician services company and leading national anesthesia services provider, today announced that pediatric anesthesiologist Richard E. Berlin, M.D. has been appointed Associate Chief Medical Officer for Operation Smile. Operation Smile is a worldwide children's medical charity that provides surgery for children with correctable facial deformities such as cleft lips, cleft palates, facial tumors and burns.
Since 1982, Operation Smile has developed a presence in more than 50 countries, and its volunteers have treated more than 135,000 children. In addition to providing free medical procedures, Operation Smile also trains local medical professionals in its partner countries and leaves behind crucial equipment to set a foundation for long term medical self-sufficiency.
“I am honored to have been appointed to this new position with Operation Smile,” said Dr. Berlin. “I am so proud of the work that this organization does and I’m looking forward to implementing new practices and quality assessments to ensure we are providing the best care possible.”
As Associate Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Berlin's duties will include the support of regional medical officers around the world, quality assessment of current medical programs, and quality measurements of all medical missions to insure that proper policies and procedures are instituted. Dr. Berlin has participated as a medical volunteer for charity organizations since 2000. He has participated in over twenty Operation Smile missions worldwide, serving as either a pediatric anesthesiologist or pediatric intensivist.
In addition to his new role, Dr. Berlin will continue his work as the Vice Chief of Pediatric Anesthesia at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, in Hollywood, Florida, specializing in the care of pediatric patients with cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Berlin has worked as a Sheridan provider since 2005, and served as Chief of Pediatric Anesthesia at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital from 2005-2012. He helped to coordinate and design the operating room facilities at the new free standing hospital. He also instituted the current operational policies and procedures in the OR department. Dr. Berlin currently focuses much of his time on the OR care of infants and children with complex congenital heart disease.
“We are thrilled that Richard will be able to translate the amazing work he’s done at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital to help children around the world,” explained Andrew Greenfield M. D., Senior Vice President of the Anesthesiology Division at Sheridan Healthcare. “He has been a leader in implementing anesthesia best practices here at home and now he can use his skills to support hospitals around the globe.”
“I am fortunate that Sheridan allows for greater flexibility in my work schedule, which makes it possible for me to participate in medical missions and serve this organization that I am so passionate about,” explained Dr. Berlin.
Dr. Berlin will be traveling to Guwhati, India later this year to teach global best practices in pediatric anesthesia. He will also travel to Rwanda and Mozambique to coordinate and establish new mission sites for the successful care of patients with facial deformities.
Sheridan Healthcare, Inc. is a national hospital-based, multispecialty physician services company that provides anesthesiology, radiology, emergency medicine, neonatology and other pediatric subspecialties. Sheridan, its subsidiaries and affiliates currently operate in 24 states and employ more than 2,200 providers. Sheridan’s anesthesiology division, established in 1953, has become the leading anesthesia services provider in the country. In addition to physician and allied health services, Sheridan also provides support, training and management in non-clinical areas. Sheridan is recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance as a certified physician organization.