Why choose us?
At Boston Children’s Hospital we provide a variety of clinicians to help deliver the best possible care. Our team of physicians and nurses has been recognized by a number of independent organizations for overall excellence. Read about what sets us apart from our competition.
The information provided in the guide below will help to explain the differences in the type of providers your child may encounter here at Boston Children’s. Use our directory to learn more about provider’s specialties, education, experience, and more.
Types of providers at Boston Children’s
Specialist
A specialist is a doctor who has completed advanced education and clinical training in a specific area of medicine such as neurology or gastroenterology. A specialist may require a referral from a primary care provider (PCP) in order to see a patient. To find a specialist using our Find a Doctor tool, select “specialists” only from the drop down menu on the left side of the search area. You may need to deselect "Primary Care (PCP)" if already selected.
Primary Care Provider (PCP)
A primary care provider (PCP) is a doctor, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant who acts as a patient’s main health care provider for common medical issues. A PCP refers patients to a specialist when needed. Boston Children’s Hospital has a network of over 250 physicians as part of the Pediatric Physicians Organization at Children’s Hospital (PPOC). To find a PCP using our Find a Doctor tool select “Primary Care (PCP)” only from the drop down menu on the left side of the search area, you may need to deselect "Specialists" if already selected.
PPOC
The Pediatric Physicians’ Organization at Children’s (PPOC) is a group of over 290 physicians, 100 nurse practitioners and physician assistants, devoted to pediatric primary care and who work in close collaboration with our pediatric subspecialists.
PPOC members practice in 90 locations across Eastern Massachusetts, collectively caring for more than 350,000 infants, children, adolescents and young adults through almost 900,000 office visits annually. The organization offers patients and families a wide variety of practices of different sizes, patient populations and approaches to care — as well as a history of collaboration and innovation that has helped to improve all of their practices’ performance.
To find a PPOC provider select “Primary Care (PCP)” from the drop down menu on the left side of the search area. PPOC providers are designated by the PPOC flag shown here.
Pediatrician
A pediatrician is a primary care provider (PCP) who specializes in children from birth until adolescence. A pediatrician cares for the overall well being of children and will refer patients to a pediatric specialist when needed.
Sub-specialist
A subspecialist is a doctor who has completed advanced education and clinical training in a specific area of medicine within a specialty. A sub-specialist focuses on a particular condition or treatment within that specialty, such as a cardiac surgeon or a perioperative anesthesiologist.
Found a provider?
If you’ve found a provider you wish to request an appointment with, click “Request an Appointment” on the provider’s profile. Be sure to select the corresponding department and note the provider's name to expedite the request.
You can also contact the office directly by calling the phone number listed on the profile.
Looking for a second opinion?
When faced with complex medical questions or concerns, having an expert opinion from the world’s leading pediatric specialists at Boston Children’s Hospital can provide peace of mind that your child is getting the best care. We offer multiple ways to get a second opinion, including in-person consultations and a confidential online second opinion tool. You choose the option that works best for your family. Learn more.