The Fernandes Center for Children & Families

Children with complex medical, developmental, and/or behavioral problems receive interdisciplinary care at The Fernandes Center for Children & Families of Saint Anne's Hospital.

Founded in 1997 as a joint partnership between Saint Anne's Hospital and the May Institute, the Fernandes Center provides coordinated, family-centered care services in one location for outpatient evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment to children with diverse developmental, behavioral, or special health care concerns.  It was named for Sister Joanna Fernandes, OP, former chair of the hospital's board of trustees, in honor of her support of care for the region’s children and their families.

The staff of Fernandes Center works closely with referring pediatricians, area schools, and community agencies to coordinate services to help each child and family.

Pediatric specialty care is coordinated through the Fernandes Center. For many years, Saint Anne's Hospital has brought board-certified pediatric specialists to Southeastern Massachusetts to serve the special health care needs of youngsters in our area. Some physicians have area practices. Others are on the staff of Tufts Medical Center or Children's Hospital Boston and travel regularly to Saint Anne's Hospital to provide specialty services. This ensures that local families get the best in pediatric medicine without extensive travel and complicated scheduling, while allowing the family doctor to remain an integral part of each child's total care plan.

Pediatric specialty areas include learning disabilities, chronic medical conditions, and neurologic impairments. Directed by a psychologist, the FCCF team includes developmental pediatricians, pediatric rehabilitation specialists, and other behavioral health care professionals. Specialty outpatient services available include:

• Cardiology
• Behavioral health, including child & adolescent psychiatry, child psychology, neuropsychology, and clinical social work
• Developmental pediatrics, including autism spectrum disorders
• Endocrinology
• Gastroenterology
• Genetics
• Growth & Nutrition
• Nursing
• Nutrition
• Orthopedics
• Rehabilitation (physical, speech-language & occupational therapy)
• Urology
• Pediatric rehabilitation and therapy services: physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy and recovery programs for children, provided by pediatric specialists and tailored to their needs in a friendly, child-size environment.

For more information or to schedule an appointment for pediatric specialty care:

• Ask your pediatrician
• Download our brochure
• Call The Fernandes Center for Children & Families at Saint Anne's Hospital, at 508-235-5285.