Avera acquires Infectious Disease Specialists
From staff reports
Avera Medical Group has acquired Infectious Disease Specialists PC of Sioux Falls, its clinic and its physicians.
“The physicians of Infectious Disease Specialists have been on the medical staff of Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center for a number of years and continue to serve the infectious disease needs of Avera patients with high-quality care,” said David Flicek, president and CEO of Avera McKennan and chief administrative officer for Avera Medical Group. “We have long trusted their expertise and are proud to welcome them as members of Avera Medical Group.”
The infectious disease clinic is at 6709 S. Minnesota Ave., Suite 102.
The name of the practice will change to Avera Medical Group Infectious Disease Specialists, and its staff members will become employees of Avera.
The physicians in the practice include Dr. Jawad Nazir, Dr. Fares Masannat, Dr.Brian Pepito, Dr. Robert Kessler and Dr. Asma Syed. All are board certified in infectious disease. They have special interest in antimicrobial resistance, immunocompromised host, HIV/AIDS, vector-borne illnesses such as West Nile virus and Lyme disease, travel vaccination, endocarditis and bone-joint related infections. The practice also is active in telemedicine consults through Avera eCare Specialty Clinics.
“This group of specialists has been instrumental in the high quality of care delivered at Avera,” Flicek said. “Having infectious disease specialists as part of Avera brings an added measure of comprehensiveness and cohesiveness to our overall care.”
Nazir serves as medical director of infection prevention and control at Avera McKennan, and Pepito serves in that position at Avera Heart Hospital.
“My colleagues and I have enjoyed close collaboration with Avera over the years, and we have appreciated their support in the development of advanced infectious disease care. We closely identify with the Avera sense of health ministry and mission, and are pleased to become part of Avera Medical Group and the wider Avera family,” Nazir said.
