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Board Certified in Integrative & Holistic Medicine as well as Family Medicine, Certified Functional Medicine physician Dr. Calihan brings decades of experience to her work with patients, whom she helps achieve optimal health and wellness through a variety of techniques.

Dr. Calihan has spent many years studying and obtaining credentials in holistic, functional, and integrative medicine. Her practice has been awarded the Best of Loudoun prize for alternative medicine each year since 2007.

Dr. Calihan graduated from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, before obtaining her medical degree from Georgetown University Medical School in Georgetown, Washington, DC.

Dr. Calihan trained and precepted at the Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington, DC, and she also trained in acupuncture with Dr. Joseph Helms at UCLA.

In 2000, Dr. Calihan earned her board-certification in Holistic Medicine, and in 2014 became a member of the first class of Certified Functional Medicine Physicians through the Institute of Functional Medicine.

Dr. Calihan was a founding owner and former medical director at Loudoun Medical Group, one of the largest multi-specialty physician practices in the mid-Atlantic region. She was also their Board Chair from 2000 to 2005.

Dr. Calihan specializes in the treatment of chronic, complex conditions, including autoimmune disease, thyroid and hormonal imbalances, biotoxin illness, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia. Using the Functional medicine approach, she searches for the cause of a condition and then works to help rebalance the system.

Visit Dr. Calihan for compassionate, comprehensive health care with a personal touch. She’s currently welcoming new patients.

Sultana Afrooz, DO, is a holistic and integrative medicine physician at Be The Change Health & Wellness, located in Columbia, Maryland. Dr. Afrooz specializes in diagnosing and treating highly complex health challenges confronting many patients and providing them with the in-depth, compassionate, and individualized care they deserve.

Dr. Afrooz has practiced osteopathic medicine since receiving her doctorate from Des Moines University – Osteopathic Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa, in 2002. Her training included an osteopathic internship and family practice residency at the Frankford Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Afrooz was board certified in family practice from 2005 to 2014 and is currently board-eligible. She has successfully completed the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners NBOME Part I, II, III Boards, the State Osteopathic Licensing Examination, and is licensed to practice medicine in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.

Dr. Afrooz is committed to evaluating and treating the individual while improving their physical health and spiritual well-being. She is well-versed in testing and discovering environmental, genetic, and infectious factors connected to chronic health issues. Dr. Afrooz utilizes the best available integrative laboratory evaluations to get to the root cause of disease and help patients regain their health. Dr. Afrooz brings to her practice of medicine a history of continued excellence in her training and education, an intellectual curiosity that's motivated by compassion, and a life-long commitment to learning. Dr. Sultana Afrooz specializes in treating patients who have been chronically ill from the effects of tick-borne infection, mold toxicity, and environmental toxicity.

Dr. Afrooz uses an integrative approach to treatment using prescription antimicrobials, herbal supplements, and nutritional supplements. She has an exceptional knowledge of mind-body medicine, food as medicine, and other integrative functional approaches to health and healing. Dr. Afrooz is dedicated to helping her patients achieve wellness and healing in all aspects of their lives. She believes that the body has an inherent ability to heal itself and that it is her goal as a practitioner to guide patients in their journey to healing. Dr. Afrooz has had extensive training in the treatment of tick-borne infections and has attended annual ILADS conferences to keep up to date on the latest research and treatments in tick-borne infections and Multiple Infectious Disease Syndrome. With this training, she has become extremely involved in learning about the systemic effects of mold toxicity and treating the chronic systemic effects of mold illness. Dr. Afrooz has also spent years studying the various methods of persistence in chronic infections.

Elizabeth York, PA-C, is an experienced physician assistant at Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery, PC.

Growing up as a high school science teacher’s daughter, Elizabeth always gravitated toward studying medicine. She received her bachelor’s in science from Boston College in Boston, Massachusetts, before beginning her career managing clinical research trials.

After spending several years in the research sector, Elizabeth realized she wanted to work directly with patients. She earned her physician assistant degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Elizabeth’s interest in colorectal surgery grew during her general surgery training, and she ultimately completed formal training.

Elizabeth is proud to serve patients struggling with anal pain, hemorrhoids, colon cancer, and other colorectal ailments at Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery, PC. She truly enjoys taking an active role in her patients’ health care management and well-being.

In her spare time, Elizabeth loves spending time with her husband, Chris, and their daughter. The family especially enjoys exploring the culture and diversity Washington, D.C., has to offer.

Colleen Abell is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing from Georgetown University in 2006. She has practiced as a nurse practitioner for the past sixteen years. Ms. Abell's experience includes working in a family medical clinic, but she spent most of her career providing care for patients recovering from Bariatric and GI surgical/oncology procedures. Prior to becoming a nurse practitioner, Ms. Abell worked as a Registered Nurse in cardiology and emergency medicine.

Colleen joined the Gastro Center of Maryland in 2021 after relocating from the NY/NJ area. She is dedicated to being a great provider and advocate for her patients. Outside of work, Ms. Abell enjoys spending time with her husband and three boys.

Xinna Yi is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science in Nursing from Wilkes University, which she completed in 2023. She brings a wealth of experience from her work in a family medical clinic and her previous role as a Registered Nurse specializing in cardiology medicine. Before transitioning to nursing, she graduated from medical school in China and gained one and a half years of experience as a gastrointestinal physician at an academic hospital in China.

 Xinna is committed to patient-centered care, employing a collaborative, team-based approach to healthcare. She has a passion for continuous learning and teaching. In her personal life, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, watching movies, and traveling.

Gastro Center of Maryland, with locations in Annapolis, Columbia, Olney, Riverdale, Timonium and Gaithersburg, Maryland, is a medical facility that offers treatment for a variety of gastrointestinal and liver disorders:

• Management of a complete range of Gastrointestinal, Liver and Pancreatic disorders, including Acid reflux/GERD, Stomach ulcers, Celiac disease, Irritable bowel syndrome, Colitis & Crohn’s Disease, Liver disease, Hemorrhoids and Constipation, Rectal bleeding etc.
• Onsite Ambulatory Surgery Centers with State of the Art HD equipment, GI Genius™GIQuiC participation, and with accreditation from the Accreditation Associates for Abulatory Health Care, Inc. (AAAHC.)
• Innovative and cutting edge Diagnostics and Medical Treatment- including Bravo pH Testing, PillCam SB Capsule Endoscopy, STRETTA anti-reflux procedure, Orbera intragastric balloon procedure for weight loss and more.
• IBD Infusion Center for Biologic (Remicade, Entyvio, Stelara) and Injectafer infusions.

These are only a few of the many gastrointestinal conditions treated on a regular basis. Patients are offered individualized treatment plans based on state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and techniques that provide them with accurate and complete information. The professional staff at the facility have many years of experience to provide their patients with the most innovative and advanced treatments possible. The Providers focus on a comprehensive and Integrative treatment plan.

Gastro Center of Maryland is currently welcoming new patients, call or book an appointment online today!

Colleen Abell is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing from Georgetown University in 2006. She has practiced as a nurse practitioner for the past sixteen years. Ms. Abell's experience includes working in a family medical clinic, but she spent most of her career providing care for patients recovering from Bariatric and GI surgical/oncology procedures. Prior to becoming a nurse practitioner, Ms. Abell worked as a Registered Nurse in cardiology and emergency medicine.

Colleen joined the Gastro Center of Maryland in 2021 after relocating from the NY/NJ area. She is dedicated to being a great provider and advocate for her patients. Outside of work, Ms. Abell enjoys spending time with her husband and three boys.

Mrs. Monica Lovins, is a Certified Adult Nurse Practitioner who has been in health care for the last 40 years, advancing her career as a registered nurse in the ICU, Educator in the ICU as well as teaching at Catholic University of America while attaining her master’s in science with a GPA of 3.89, from Felician University, Lodi, New Jersey. She has received multiple nursing award to include excellence and expertise in multiple nursing modalities.

Monica joined Gastro Center of Maryland in 2017 after many years at John’s Hospital Bayview in the Department of Surgery, Bariatric Department. Her mission to treat all gastrointestinal diseases and facilitate, best outcomes for patients who suffer from chronic gastrointestinal diseases.

When off Monica enjoys quilting as well as spending time with family and friends.

Xinna Yi is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science in Nursing from Wilkes University, which she completed in 2023. She brings a wealth of experience from her work in a family medical clinic and her previous role as a Registered Nurse specializing in cardiology medicine. Before transitioning to nursing, she graduated from medical school in China and gained one and a half years of experience as a gastrointestinal physician at an academic hospital in China.

 Xinna is committed to patient-centered care, employing a collaborative, team-based approach to healthcare. She has a passion for continuous learning and teaching. In her personal life, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, watching movies, and traveling.

Deepali Patel, FNP-BC, is a family medicine nurse practitioner at Washington Internal Medicine in Virginia. Deepali completed a Diploma in Nursing in 2004 at Helene Fuld School of Nursing in New Jersey and has been an RN since 2004. She completed Bachelors in Public Health in 2021 at the American Public University System in Virginia. Deepali brings over 15 years of clinical experience in diverse settings, offering excellent patient assessment skills and a dedication to providing holistic, high-quality care as a registered nurse with multiple positions. Deepali Patel went on to complete Masters of Science in Family Nurse Practice (2021) from Frontier Nursing University in Hyden, Kentucky.

She is a licensed Family Nurse Practitioner in Virginia and Board-Certified by the American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Deepali is dedicated to assisting all patients with acute and long-term chronic diseases and improving overall well-being through treatment and optimal life choices. She has proven skills in helping high risk patients, highly trained in completing clinical assessments and diligent in evaluating medical records and coordinating care plans. Her goal is high quality care and improve patient health and health outcomes. She is compassionate and harbors strong communication and interpersonal skills with in-depth understanding of chronic care management. She is passionate in building long term relationships with patients centered on trust, compassion and professionalism.

Catherine Holder, PA-C, is a physician assistant with more than 10 years of experience. At Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery, PC. Catherine specializes in diagnosing and treating anal pain, hemorrhoids, abscesses, and other colorectal conditions.

Catherine completed her undergraduate and physician assistant training at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, before returning to her home state of Alaska to specialize in colon and rectal surgery. During the early years of her career, Catherine met her husband, an Air Force pilot, and relocated to Washington state, where she continued to specialize in surgery.

After welcoming their third child, Catherine and her husband were stationed in Illinois. Catherine transitioned into being a stay-at-home parent during this time before having her third child and moving to Northern Virginia. She is thrilled to rejoin the workforce and return to her passion of helping others at Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery, PC.

With extensive education, training, and a compassionate demeanor, Catherine hopes to help her patients feel empowered to face their medical and surgical concerns.