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Dabo Xu, MD, is a board-certified physician in gastroenterology, hepatology, and internal medicine at the Gastro Center of Maryland, with locations in Annapolis, Columbia, Olney, Riverdale, Timonium and Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Dr. Xu treats a wide variety of conditions at the practice, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, colon cancer, liver disease, and other gastrointestinal conditions. 

Dr. Xu completed his medical residency at St. Agnes Hospital, as well as a gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Michigan. He has conducted clinical and translational research on several topics, such as GERD, intestinal inflammation, liver diseases and cancers, and gastrointestinal pharmacology. His works were published in the most prestigious gastroenterology journals and presented at national and international medical conferences.

He has more than 20 years of clinical experience in gastroenterology and hepatology. Dr. Xu has a special interest in preventive care, often working alongside patients to prevent disease and improve their quality of life through precise and effective personalized treatments.

With a passion and dedication to patient experiences, Dr. Xu believes it’s important to build relationships with those in his care and enjoys helping patients find better health and wellness.

Dr. Thi Khuc, MD, is a board-certified physician specializing in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Gastro Center of Maryland's location in Riverdale, Maryland. Trained with expertise in evidence-based medicine and clinical research by national and international authorities in the field, Dr. Khuc is committed to providing quality, personalized patient care. Dr. Khuc values her patients’ opinions in the medical decision-making process.

Dr. Khuc completed her medical degree at the University of Virginia, followed by an Internal Medicine residency at Loma Linda University in California. Thereafter, she completed her Gastroenterology and Hepatology fellowship under the Clinical Scholars Program at the University of Maryland and Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, MD. She was elected as a 2023 American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Innovations Fellow for the Center for GI Innovation and Technology and is currently a member of the AGA and American College of Gastroenterology (ACG).

Dr. Khuc is skilled in colonoscopy, endoscopy, video capsule endoscopy and esophageal manometry and breath testing interpretation. She treats a wide variety of gastrointestinal disorders including colorectal cancer screening, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, microscopic colitis, eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), constipation, infectious diarrheal disorders, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

In her spare time, Dr. Khuc enjoys painting, traveling, and trying new ice cream flavors with her family and friends.

Niala Saeed, PA-C is a nationally board physician assistant with 16 years of experience in primary care and occupational health. She is originally from Petersburg, WV. She completed her bachelor’s in health sciences in 2005 and received a master’s in physician assistant studies from Alderson Broaddus in 2006.

After graduating, she worked in the city of Winchester, VA for 5 years after which she moved to California and continued to practice primary care for 11 years. She enjoys focusing on women’s health, diabetes management, and behavioral health. Patient education with an emphasis on preventative health is at the core of her clinical practice.

Niala is also an NRCME certified medical examiner, giving her the ability to perform DOT physicals. Niala recently moved with her family back to Virginia from California. She is excited to return and serve the patients of Washington Internal Medicine. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and her pet cat.

Mahadevappa Hunasikatti, MD, FCCP, is a board-certified pulmonary care, critical care, and sleep medicine specialist at Sleep Services of Maryland LLC. He provides high-quality sleep medicine to people of all ages in Germantown, Maryland.

Dr. Hunasikatti grew up in India. He began his career pursuits at the Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences (formerly Government Medical College) in Ballari, Karnataka, India, earning his medical degree. He then completed a psychiatry residency at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in Bangalore.

In 1989, Dr. Hunasikatti moved to the United States. Before entering private practice, he completed a psychiatry internship, an internal medicine internship, and residency at the University of Toledo Health Science Campus in Ohio (formerly the Medical College of Ohio, Toledo) and a medicine-pediatrics internship at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan.

These experiences inspired Dr. Hunasikatti to pursue specialty training. He completed a critical care medicine fellowship at Shock Trauma | University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore and a pulmonary medicine fellowship at DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital (formerly Sinai Hospital Wayne State University) in Detroit, Michigan.

Dr. Hunasikatti has served in various roles throughout his career, including hospitalist, sleep medicine physician, and medical director. He diagnoses and treats most sleep-related health problems but has a special interest in sleep apnea, workplace fatigue, and restless legs syndrome.

Dr. Hunasikatti enjoys attending medical conferences, contributing to scientific journals, and speaking at sleep symposiums. He welcomes anyone experiencing insomnia or other sleep problems to Sleep Services of Maryland LLC today.

Dr. Seema Chaudhary is a preventive medicine expert and obesity physician at Nova Physician Wellness Center. As a health advocate for the people of Fairfax, Sterling, and Ashburn, Virginia, she has been in clinical practice for about 15 years.

She finished her residency from the University of Florida, Gainesville, and she joined Community Health Center Clearwater so that she could help the poor and underserved population. She moved from Florida to Northern Virginia and worked with Kaiser Permanente for about seven years.

During her tenure at Kaiser, she became more passionate about preventive medicine, especially treating obesity, which is the root cause of most chronic medical illnesses, like diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, heartburn, and arthritis.

Seeing the growing need for weight management expertise, she switched her area of specialty to bariatric medicine. She is now a board-certified obesity medicine specialist and helps patients achieve their healthiest weight, wellness, and a reversal of cardiovascular risk factors.

As a primary care physician, Dr. Chaudhary understands the complexity of chronic medical illness associated with abnormal weight gain. She is comfortable and confident with the treatment of obesity, while also monitoring all associated diseases.

Dr. Chaudhary works closely with her patients and collaborates with primary care physicians to help her patients live happy, healthier lives.

Office Location(s): Aldie

Other languages spoken: Spanish (fluent)

 

Double board-certified pediatrician and internal medicine specialist David Rubio, M.D., F.A.A.P., has cared for patients in Northern Virginia for over two decades. He is part of the Virginia Pediatric Group team and sees patients at the practice’s location in Aldie, Virginia. 

Dr. Rubio was born in Queens, New York, although he considers South Riding, Virginia, his hometown. He completed a six-year biomedical program with Union College in Schenectady, New York, earning a Bachelor of Science in 1987. He completed his medical degree in 1989 at Albany Medical College, also in New York. He then went on to complete his internal medicine/pediatrics residency training in 1993 at the North Shore University Hospital/Cornell University Medical Center in New York. 

Upon residency completion, Dr. Rubio joined the Northern Virginia Primary Care Associates in Annandale until 2008, when he developed and managed his own private pediatrics practice in South Riding. He was board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in 1994 and recertified in 2003. Dr. Rubio was also board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in 1994 and recertified in 2016. 

In 2016, Dr. Rubio and his practice joined the Virginia Pediatric Group. He feels it is wonderful to watch the children he's cared for over the years grow and develop. The personal relationships made with families have been extremely rewarding, and he looks forward to doing the same for many years to come. 

Dr. Rubio is fluent in Spanish and resides in South Riding with his wife and three children. In his free time, he enjoys sports and music.

 

Patient Reviews

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“Dr. Rubio is the best! We've been with him since before he joined Virginia Pediatrics, and is the only reason we stay with that group. He's patient and answers all of our questions. Always feel better after talking to him about any concerns we may have. The kids really like him too!”
- Karla D.

 

“Been with Dr. Rubio for over 10 years. He is patient, listens, is understanding, is not forceful with medical advice. Helps you to understand. We have always felt and still feel comfortable with him and his staff.”
- Estelle K.

 

“Dr. Rubio is an amazing pediatrician. Highly recommended.”
- Victor G.

 

“Dr. Rubio is the best, super friendly. He didn't rush (like many other places) and he was thorough. Definitely recommend.”
- Kishore K.

 

Usha Sivakumar, MD, MBBS, is a highly qualified internal medicine and primary care specialist with over 30 years of experience treating patients from diverse populations across the world. Dr. Sivakumar provides outstanding care for patients living in Frederick, Maryland, at SivIMed Internal Medicine and Primary Care.

Dr. Sivakumar began her career by studying for a medical degree at Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai, India. After graduating, she served as resident medical officer of the intensive care unit at Railway Hospital, Perambur, Chennai, India, before moving to the United Kingdom. Dr. Sivakumar passed her qualifying exams in multiple specialties during her time in the UK, then took up an internal medicine residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital in Queens. She became chief resident at the hospital in 1999, then made the decision to move into private practice in 2001.

Dr. Sivakumar is a multicultural and multilingual physician, enabling her to welcome people from many different backgrounds and nationalities to her practice. Her professional peers recognize her expertise, and she was named Top Doctor and Who’s Who physician for 2014 – 15. She’s also received recognition from the International Association for Healthcare Professionals and the National Association of Professional Women.

Dr. Sivakumar is a long-standing member of the American College of Physicians and the American Medical Association. She is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Sivakumar is an exceptionally gifted physician who excels in all areas of primary care, but she has particular expertise in conditions as diverse as diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, congestive heart failure, Lyme disease, weight management, and geriatrics. Dr. Sivakumar’s philanthropic work in Haiti exemplifies her commitment to her calling, and she devotes herself to promoting overall health and wellness in all her patients.

Swapna Kanuri, MD, FACC, is a cardiologist at Cardiology Associates of Frederick in Frederick, Maryland. She’s board-certified in internal medicine, cardiology, nuclear cardiology, echocardiography, and vascular ultrasonography.

After graduating from Shri B.M. Patil Medical College and Hospital Research Center in Vijayapura, Karnataka, India, Dr. Kanuri relocated to the United States to complete her internal medicine residency at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. She remained in Omaha for her fellowship training in cardiology with a specialization in noninvasive cardiology.  

With more than 15 years of experience, Dr. Kanuri specializes in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular conditions including heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and acute coronary syndrome. She also provides expert care for conditions that increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Dr. Kanuri is affiliated with Frederick Health Hospital, previously known as Frederick Memorial Hospital. To provide excellent health care to the diverse community. 

At Cardiology Associates of Frederick, Dr. Kunari takes a patient-centered approach to care. She spends time talking to her patients and educating them about their diagnosis and her treatment recommendations so they can take a proactive role in their care and personal health.

Samir Ahuja, MD, is a skilled cardiologist who has achieved board certification in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, interventional cardiovascular disease, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, and vascular ultrasonography (RPVI/ARDMS). Dr. Ahuja sees patients at  Cardiology Associates of Frederick in Frederick, Maryland. He is also affiliated with Frederick Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Ahuja graduated from the accelerated/combined six-year BS/MD program completing two years at Pennsylvania State University and then four years at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. He went on to complete his internal medicine residency and a one-year advanced fellowship in cardiomyopathy and heart failure at Boston University Medical Center.

Dr. Ahuja then fulfilled his general cardiology fellowship at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-University Hospital. He then completed his cardiac and peripheral interventional fellowship at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. He is proud to bring his expertise to his practice at Cardiology Associates of Frederick and is passionate about helping patients improve their cardiovascular health.

Hitesh Patel, MD, FACC, is a skilled cardiologist who is board-certified in both internal medicine and cardiovascular disease. Dr. Patel sees patients at Cardiology Associates of Frederick in Frederick, Maryland. In addition to his practice, Dr. Patel is affiliated with Frederick Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Patel graduated Magna Cum Laude within three years from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. He then obtained his Medical Degree from the University of Maryland Medical School.

Following his medical education, Dr. Patel completed an internal medicine residency at Temple University Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He rounded out his training by completing a Cardiology Fellowship at Temple University Medical Center, where he specialized in general cardiology.

Dr. Patel has expertise in Pacemaker and Defibrillator placement. He is also a fellow of the American College of Cardiology. Patients of Dr. Patel can expect the highest level of patient-centered cardiology care.

Mahadevappa Hunasikatti, MD, FCCP, is a board-certified pulmonary care, critical care, and sleep medicine specialist at Sleep Services of Maryland LLC. He provides high-quality sleep medicine to people of all ages in Germantown, Maryland.

Dr. Hunasikatti grew up in India. He began his career pursuits at the Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences (formerly Government Medical College) in Ballari, Karnataka, India, earning his medical degree. He then completed a psychiatry residency at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in Bangalore.

In 1989, Dr. Hunasikatti moved to the United States. Before entering private practice, he completed a psychiatry internship, an internal medicine internship, and residency at the University of Toledo Health Science Campus in Ohio (formerly the Medical College of Ohio, Toledo) and a medicine-pediatrics internship at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan.

These experiences inspired Dr. Hunasikatti to pursue specialty training. He completed a critical care medicine fellowship at Shock Trauma | University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore and a pulmonary medicine fellowship at DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital (formerly Sinai Hospital Wayne State University) in Detroit, Michigan.

Dr. Hunasikatti has served in various roles throughout his career, including hospitalist, sleep medicine physician, and medical director. He diagnoses and treats most sleep-related health problems but has a special interest in sleep apnea, workplace fatigue, and restless legs syndrome.

Dr. Hunasikatti enjoys attending medical conferences, contributing to scientific journals, and speaking at sleep symposiums. He welcomes anyone experiencing insomnia or other sleep problems to Sleep Services of Maryland LLC today.

With the backing of my Yoruba Community back in W. Africa, i completed the arduous journey to become a hospitalisT. After 5 years of practice, i realized i was patching chronic wounds. My Patients reflected the crumbling Community-Patient relationship. A brief assessment suggested that the chronic diseases remained chronic also by non-physical factors. Our clinic (Place of Reflection Institute of Health) is a space to un-learn, and re-learn the other facets that make up The Patient in a whole. At the behest of Our Patients, We implement the Central (IFA) Philosophy, AMA standard of care, and Alternate practices include Diet re-Modification, Perception reassessment, strengthening Community-Patient relationship, etc. Given the swift technological advances in lieu of extensive social media influence, a robust Community Health remains the solution in curbing societies worsening physical, and moral ill.