Sarina K. Behera, M.D., FACC, FAAP

I work on a team of specialists including pediatric cardiologists, pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons, other pediatric specialists (including geneticists, gastroenterologists, nephrologists, neonatologists, and intensivists), high level nurse practitioners, echocardiography technicians, nutritionists, and social workers. We collaborate to provide interdisciplinary, personalized, and family-centered care to patients as they struggle and adapt to new cardiac diagnoses and chronic problems associated with their child’s heart condition. In our pediatric cardiology clinic, we are able to perform many diagnostic studies including echocardiography (ultrasound imaging of the heart), electrocardiography (electrical conduction of the heart), Holter monitoring, event monitoring, and exercise testing. Further diagnostic studies are arranged as needed. We strive to provide a medically appropriate, seamless, and efficient initial cardiac evaluation in our clinic setting. We also perform inpatient consultations in the CPMC hospital and can provide continuity of care to those patients seen in both an inpatient and outpatient setting. Our goal is to provide excellent and easily accessible care for our patients. When medically indicated, we provide urgent same-day appointments for our patients and new referrals. We return phone calls and e-mails in a timely fashion and inform the primary care providers and other specialists when major changes are occurring in the patient’s treatment plan. The primary responsibility of our practice is patient care and we are not distracted or overwhelmed by other responsibilities required at academic medical centers. We provide wonderful continuity of care and patients are not shuffled between providers unless requested. Our commitment to you is that we will be here to take care of your child when needed. Medical decision making has become incredibly complex and I believe that it is extremely important that physicians advocate for and collaborate with patients and their families as they navigate through an increasingly complicated healthcare system. Challenges include getting insurance coverage for recommended procedures, choosing between different medical and surgical options, and coordinating care amongst various providers. The families in our practice entrust the care of their children to us and we do not take that trust lightly. I advocate for my patients to help them through the processes required for us to take care of their children in the current healthcare environment.

Fellow, American College of Cardiology; Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics; Research Committee Member, American Society of Echocardiography; Member, American Heart Association; Foundations of Patient Care Preceptor, University of California, San Francisco; Pediatric Cardiology Coordinator, Annual Playsafe Cardiac Screening Physicals. I am a board-certified pediatric cardiologist with extensive clinical experience in taking care of congenital and acquired heart disease in children.