Salem, Mass. – Mark Girard, M.D., was recently elected by his peers to serve as president of the medical staff at North Shore Medical Center (NSMC).

Dr. Girard will act as a liaison between the medical center’s 650 board-certified physicians as well as the NSMC Board of Trustees and administration. During his two-year term, Dr. Girard will be involved with many aspects of NSMC administration including performance improvement and quality assurance, and he will be an active part of the NSMC Board of Trustees. He succeeds Riad Riskalla, M.D., who has served in the position since 2006.

Dr. Girard joined NSMC in 1992 as a radiologist, and in 2003 became the section chief for interventional radiology and co-director of the NSMC Vascular Center. He also serves at president and CEO of his private practice, Commonwealth Radiology Associates, Inc.

“I’m excited to take on this new role that will enable me to work with the medical center staff, administration and NSMC Board of Trustees. This position provides an opportunity to continue to provide North Shore patients with the best health care available,” said Dr. Girard.

Dr. Girard is board certified in diagnostic radiology as well as vascular and interventional radiology. He received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, completing a residency and fellowship at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He also received a masters in business administration in 1998 from Salem State College Graduate School of Business.

Dr. Girard, a Marblehead resident, is a member of the American College of Physician Executives, the American Telemedicine Association, the Massachusetts Radiology Society and the Massachusetts Medical Society.

“Dr. Girard’s experience, his commitment to quality control and his dedication to the healthcare profession, make him an excellent choice to lead our medical staff,” said Mitchell Rein, M.D., NSMC Chief Medical Officer. “We would also like to thank Riad Riskalla, M.D., for all his hard work and dedication to the medical center.”