Sara Little, M.D., FAAP, owner and CEO of the Port Jervis-based Little Pediatrics, was recently named Minisink Valley’s medical director.

“Given the many return-to-school challenges we continue to successfully address during this ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we felt it was in the best interests of our school community to have a physician advise us on the many public health issues we need to stay ahead of to ensure the good health and safety of our students, faculty and staff,” said Superintendent Brian Monahan.

Mr. Monahan added: “Dr. Little will also support the tremendously important work done on a daily basis by our school nursing staff. There is no better team of school nurses than at Minisink Valley. They are doing a fabulous job attending to all the health needs of our students and the COVID-19 mandates we are following.”

Dr. Little is a Port Jervis native and graduate of Port Jervis High School. She completed her undergraduate studies at Albright College in Reading, Pa., and received her medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean in Sint Maarten in the Netherlands Antilles.

Dr. Little completed her pediatric residency at Goryeb Children’s Hospital in Morristown, N.J., where she was chief resident. She returned to Port Jervis to begin her practice as a board-certified pediatrician in 2011.

In April 2018, Dr. Little opened Little Pediatrics, fulfilling her dream of returning to her hometown and supporting her community through her commitment to the health and well-being of the community’s children.

“Little Pediatrics is thrilled to have this important relationship with Minisink Valley,” said Dr. Little.  “Our assistance includes, but is not limited to annual physicals as required by school health laws, athletic physicals, and important medical guidance and counsel on all important health-related concern, including COVID-19, the flu, immunizations and other medical topics. ”

Mr. Monahan stressed Dr. Little’s knowledge and experience has already been valuable to the district.

“Dr. Little’s medical advice and support has been extremely helpful to us as we continue to bring students back to in-class instruction,” he added. “Her important role here further reinforces our commitment to student, faculty and staff health and safety.”