Our team...
Fred D. Kern, M.D., Fellow,
American Academy of Pediatrics
Katherine
Forbes-Smith, MS, APRN, BC,
Family Nurse Practitioner
Debra A. Picerno,
M.D., Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics
Elizabeth
Melville Klements, MS, APRN, BC, Pediatric
Nurse Practitioner
Suzanne Palopoli, MLT, CMA, CLC
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Fred D. Kern, MD, FAAP
Dr. Kern has enjoyed serving children, parents, and families as a general pediatrician for over twenty years. He is board certified in pediatrics and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Kern founded Bridgewater Pediatrics in 2000, after serving in a medical group for 13 years. His founding vision has been to provide high quality medical care in a caring and compassionate environment. His desire is that Bridgewater Pediatrics be a comprehensive medical home for children and their families- a practice which nutures the physical, emotional, academic, and spiritual health of all.
Dr. Kern received his medical degree from McGill University and completed his internship and pediatric residency at Duke University Medical Center. He graduated from Kansas State University with a B.S. in Biology, cum laude. In 1998, he was awarded the Brockton community Service Award for establishing a pediatric AIDS clinic.
Dr. Kern and his wife, Lisa, live in Bridgewater with their five children, Lydia, Ben, Emily, Jacqueline, and Alison. He enjoys his busy family life, running, skiing, and photography. He serves on the board of directors of Keeping Pace with Multiple Miracles, a local ministry serving multiple birth families. He worships at South Shore Community Church, and serves on the board of directors.
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Katherine Forbes-Smith, MS, APRN, BC
Katherine is a board certified family nurse practitioner who joined our practice in 2001. She received an undergraduate degree from Gordon College and a Master of Science degree in nursing from Boston College in 2001, magna cum laude. She is a clinical instructor for nurse practitioners at Boston College and Northeastern University and is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society for nurses. Katherine has a special interest in adolescent medicine with expertise in the areas of gynecology and mental health. She gives numerous presentations and lectures to youth and families on issues related to adolescent health.
Katherine and her husband, Karl live in Bridgewater with their three daughters. They are active members of the South Shore Community Church. Katherine also serves on the board of directors of Shore to Shore Mission Network, and The Well, A Center for Hope and Healing. In her free time, she enjoys downhill skiing, running and spending time with her girls.
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Debra A. Picerno, M.D., FAAP
Dr. Debra Picerno joined Bridgewater Pediatrics in 2006. She received her medical and undergraduate degrees from Boston University and completed her pediatric residency at the Texas Children’s Hospital/Baylor College of Medicine in 2004. She is board certified in pediatrics and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Picerno served in the United States Navy as a general medical officer for five yers after graduating medical school. She completed a pediatric internship at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego
and then served two years in Yokosuka, Japan where she served in the emergency department. Dr. Picerno then completed her naval service in New London, CT in 2002 and was thrilled to devote herself to the full time practice of pediatrics.
Dr. Picerno and her husband, Mathew, live in Bristol, Rhode Island, with their pug, Maggie.
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Elizabeth Melville Klements, MS, PNP-BC, AE-C
Beth received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Nursing from Boston College. She is a board certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Asthma Educator and an active member of the National Association of Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP). She is also a member of the Sigma Theta Tau, National Honor Society for nurses.
Beth joined Bridgewater Pediatrics in 2002. She is also employed at Children’s Hospital Boston as the Asthma Clinical Nurse Specialist. Beth has served on the faculty of Simmons College and Boston College. She speaks regularly on topics of asthma and other pediatric issues at local, national, and international nursing conferences.
Beth is the proud mother of four adult children.
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Suzanne Palopoli, MLT, CMA, CLC
Suzanne graduated from Northeastern University and worked at Milton Hospital for fifteen years as a Medical Laboratory Technologist in the chemistry and hematology department. She became a Certified Pediatric Medical Assistant and has worked in this field for twenty years. She joined Bridgewater Pediatrics in 2005 and developed a strong interest in supporting breast feeding mothers and their babies. Suzanne became a Certified Lactation Counselor in 2010. She works very closely with nursing mothers to help ensure a successful breast feeding experience. She has found this to be the most fulfilling aspect of her career!
Suzanne loves spending time with her husband, two daughters, their husbands and her pride and joy... her grandson. She also enjoys painting, photography, and going to museums.
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