
Dr. Sarah Friebert leads the team in The Haslinger Family Pediatric Palliative Care Center who coordinates care for Naiima Oden. She has multiple special needs and requires a tracheotomy and feeding tube.
Sarah Friebert, MD, director of the Haslinger Family Pediatric Palliative Care Center, has been named 1 of the 30 most influential leaders in her field by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM).
In honor of its upcoming 30th anniversary in 2018, AAHPM chose to recognize 30 physicians, nurses and researchers who are not only considered pioneers, innovators, leaders and mentors in their field, but who also have positively impacted the advancement of hospice and palliative care medicine over the last 30 years. Of the 150 nominees, the top vote getters were reviewed by a panel of past visionaries who determined the final 30. Dr. Friebert will receive her award at AAHPM’s annual meeting in Boston in March 2018.
AAHPM CEO Steve R. Smith says, “These individuals represent thousands of other healthcare professionals in this country who provide quality medical care and support for those living with serious illness – each and every day.”

15 years ago, Dr. Friebert founded our Center to enhance quality of life and minimize suffering for patients with chronic, complex and/or life-threatening conditions, like Naiima Oden, shown here.
According to Dr. Catherine Kelly-Langen, program director, pediatric palliative care fellowship, “To be a visionary is to be one who thinks about or plans for the future with imagination and wisdom. Those words ring true when thinking about Dr. Sarah Friebert.
“She designed and expands our team with a plan to serve the children and families in our community and provide support to them in unimaginably difficult circumstances,” she added. “Each service we provide and each member of the team is a facet of the sparkling gem that she has created. Seeing her balance the needs of the community, the hospital, the patients, and the team members with such grace and thought is astounding.”
The Haslinger Family Pediatric Palliative Care Center was founded by Dr. Friebert in 2002 to enhance quality of life and minimize suffering for patients with chronic, complex and/or life-threatening conditions. It is one of the largest pediatric palliative care programs in the U.S. and is nationally recognized as a model for other centers.
You must be logged in to post a comment.