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Dr. Yolandra Hancock is a mom, physician, and public health shero who combines her hands-on clinical experience and public health expertise with her passion for building vibrant communities to provide patient-empowered “best in class” care. Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree from UCLA, her medical doctorate from the UCLA School of Medicine, and her Master of Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. In all the work that she does as a physician, as a professor, and public health champion, Dr. Hancock is fully committed to helping to raise up the next generation to reach their full health potential.

Nadeem Hashmi, MD, is board-certified in pediatrics and neonatal-perinatal medicine. He sees and treats patients at EC Primary Care Physicians, PA, located in Columbia, Maryland. His mission is to provide compassionate and comprehensive care to mothers, infants, and children living in and around Howard County.

After earning his Doctor of Medicine in India, Dr. Hashmi completed his residency and fellowship at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. He has accumulated over 32 years of pediatrics and neonatology experience, caring for sick and premature newborns.

Dr. Hashmi is affiliated with Howard County General Hospital in Columbia, Maryland, and several other local hospitals. He is also an active member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, which helps him stay up to date with the latest advances in his field.

To better serve Maryland's diverse communities, Dr. Hashmi speaks Hindi, Spanish, and Urdu, in addition to English.

To learn more about the services offered by Dr. Hashmi, or schedule an appointment with the team at EC Primary Care Physicians, PA, call the office or book online today.

Kirra L. Brandon, MD is board certified in both dermatology and pediatric dermatology, and provides care to patients of all ages at Easton Dermatology Associates, a leading dermatology practice in Easton, Maryland, that serves residents on the Delmarva Peninsula. Although Dr. Brandon offers medical skin care services to patients of any age, she specializes in pediatric dermatology. Her specific interests include vascular birthmarks, genetic skin disorders, and pediatric skin and laser surgery.

Dr. Brandon obtained her undergraduate degree in biology from Harvard University, where she graduated with honors. She earned her medical degree at the University of Maryland Medical School, which is where she developed her interest in pediatric dermatology. She completed her internship in internal medicine at Tulane Hospital in New Orleans, followed by her residency in dermatology at Louisiana State University, also in New Orleans.

After finishing her residency, Dr. Brandon completed a year-long fellowship in pediatric dermatology at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. When her fellowship concluded, Dr. Brandon stayed on at the hospital as an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Dermatology.

Dr. Brandon is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. She’s an active member of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology, and has spoken at their national meeting, as well as several other regional conferences designed to educate pediatricians about pediatric skin conditions. Dr. Brandon has also authored multiple publications in dermatology and pediatrics journals.

As a native of Annapolis, Maryland, Dr. Brandon was excited to return to the area with her husband, Gus, an ophthalmologist and fellow Maryland native, and their two young daughters. In her spare time, Dr. Brandon enjoys hiking, swimming, and spending time with her family.

Mariah is a Board Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Mariah specializes in mental health and works with individuals ranging from 4 years old to 21 years old. She provides medication management for those with ADHD, anxiety, depression, autism, mood disorders, eating disorders, anger, OCD, ODD, trauma, and PTSD. Mariah's experience includes a range of care in the clinical setting with patients aged 0 to 21 years. While at Kennedy Krieger Institute, she worked with patients experiencing depression, anxiety, ADHD, eating disorders, autism, learning and developmental delays, anger management with behavioral and physical outbursts, traumatic brain injuries, etc. Mariah is here to listen and support children and adolescents that are struggling with mental health challenges. Her goal is to collaborate with her clients, their parents, and any other professionals involved in their life to find the best plan that will help them succeed and live to their highest potential.

Kailey is a speech-language pathologist at Express Yourself Therapy’s Kensington, MD branch. She earned her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from George Washington University and her Bachelor of Science in Education degree from the University of Virginia.
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Kailey was driven to speech-language pathology as she went to speech therapy for many years growing up. Her SLP always made therapy exciting and motivating, so Kailey strives to have the same effect on all of the kids she works with. She loves bringing out her inner child during sessions and being silly with kids while simultaneously targeting their goals in a meaningful and engaging way. 

In her free time, she loves working out, vacationing in Bethany Beach, and spending time with her family and friends.

McKenna is a dedicated pediatric occupational therapist passionate about helping children reach their fullest potential. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and her Master’s in Occupational Therapy from North Central College.

With fieldwork experience in schools, neurorehabilitation, and vision therapy, McKenna brings a well-rounded perspective to her practice. Her love for working with children stems from her desire to nurture growth and support each child’s unique journey toward independence and confidence.

Danielle is a pediatric speech-language pathologist and clinical manager at Express Yourself Therapy’s Kensington, MD branch. She earned her Master’s degree at Northwestern University in Chicago and her Bachelor of Science degree at Loyola University Maryland. 

Danielle has been a practicing speech therapist since 2018 and has been at Express Yourself Therapy for over four years. In 2023, Danielle earned a certificate as a clinical specialist in the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) community, where she effectively promotes strengths-based interventions, strategies, and approaches to support her clients regardless of age or developmental stage. Additionally, she has earned her DIR Floortime certificate and is now a DIR Expert and Training Leader. Danielle specializes in the areas of phonological/articulation skills, receptive/expressive language skills, and social pragmatic communication. 

 

 

 

 

Victor Abdow Jr., MD, is a highly skilled and board-certified pediatric specialist passionate about working with kids. Through his work at Abdow Friendship Pediatrics in Rockville, Maryland, Dr. Abdow is honored to play a role in helping children and families thrive. 

Education has always shaped Dr. Abdow’s professional life. He completed his undergraduate studies at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in animal studies. He completed medical school at Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, DC, where he remained for his internship and residency training. 

He continues to give back to the medical community as a clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at Georgetown University School of Medicine and George Washington University School of Medicine. 

A proud member of The American Academy of Pediatrics, Georgetown Clinical Society, and the Montgomery County Medical Society, Dr. Abdow enjoys opportunities to learn from his peers and network with other medical professionals. 

Amita DeSouza, MD, of Abdow Friendship Pediatrics in Rockville, Maryland, is a caring and compassionate board-certified pediatrician and pediatric endocrinologist. Patients appreciate her warm and personable nature and the time she takes to truly get to know those in her care. 

Education is a central part of Dr. DeSouza’s life. She began her studies at the University of Rochester in New York, where she studied neuroscience. She went on to complete medical school at the University of Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in New York before completing her internship and residency at the University of Maryland in Baltimore. 

Dr. DeSouza also completed fellowship training in pediatric endocrinology through New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. She continues to seek opportunities to expand her skills and knowledge through continuing education and seminars. 

Working with children is a calling. Dr. DeSouza finds it incredibly rewarding to assist children and their families in building a strong foundation for a lifetime of great health and wellness. Many families wouldn’t consider entrusting their child’s care to anyone else. 

Azra Jagani, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and an integral part of the team at Abdow Friendship Pediatrics in Rockville, Maryland. She finds her work deeply rewarding and enjoys getting to know the families in her care. 

A lifelong learner, Dr. Jagani attended St. Lawrence’s Convent School in Karachi, Pakistan, for her undergraduate studies. She completed medical school at Sindh Medical College, also in Karachi. Upon arriving in the United States, Dr. Jagani completed a residency at Texas Tech University Hospital in El Paso. 

Working with children allows Dr. Jagani to watch her patients grow and develop. Assisting them as they move closer to adulthood is a joy and honor. 

Preventive health is an area of focus for Dr. Jagani. She tracks each child's development through newborn care exams and well-child visits and provides the vaccines and other support needed for a healthy and happy childhood. She looks forward to caring for her new and returning patients.  

Office Location(s): Fairfax

Other languages spoken: Spanish (proficient)

 

Rachel Silber, IBCLC, is an international board-certified lactation consultant serving families at Virginia Pediatric Group in Fairfax, Virginia. She is proud to be part of the team and is passionate about the work she does. 

Rachel's experience parenting and breastfeeding her children led her to work in this field. She has been helping new families since 2000 and has been a board-certified lactation consultant since 2002.  

Rachel has spent the majority of her lactation career working at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland. She is also a lactation consultant/lecturer for a governmental agency. Rachel also speaks as a lecturer for breastfeeding conferences and trainings around the country. 

She grew up in Austin, Texas, and came to the metro area to attend George Washington University in Washington, DC. Rachel enjoyed the DC area so much and decided to stay. She currently resides in upper Montgomery County, Maryland, with her husband and cat.

Office Location(s): Fairfax

Omar Jaber, MD, MPH, is a highly accomplished pediatrician with extensive training and a passion for global health. He works at Virginia Pediatric Group at the Fairfax office. 

Dr. Jaber earned his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Barbados and completed his pediatrics residency at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. He then specialized in academic general pediatrics through a fellowship at Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and completed a master's degree in public health from the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston.

An award-winning care provider, Dr. Jaber received the Huda Al Masri Humanitarian Award and the Arnold P. Gold Humanism Award for his outstanding contributions. He has published work in the Houston Chronicle and is featured in health blogs from Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine. 

Dr. Jaber actively volunteers on international medical missions and supports non-profits bringing medical care to children worldwide. 

Office Location - Fairfax

Debra Zeh grew up in Queens, New York, graduating from St. John’s University with a BS in Biology. She attended medical school at SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn, New York. Her internship and residency were done at Georgetown University Medical Center. She and her husband, Dr. Manuel Guillen, founded and ran Virginia Allergy & Pediatrics for almost 40 years in Great Falls and Fairfax, Virginia. They closed their office during the pandemic. Dr. Zeh missed her relationships with her patients so in December 2022 she joined Virginia Pediatric Group.

She is board certified and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. she has one adult daughter. In her free time she loves swimming, working out in the gym, walking, traveling, and crafting. She is also an active member of the Medical Society of Northern Virginia, the Georgetown Clinical Society, and the Greater Washington Allergy and Immunology Society.

Patient Reviews

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“Dr. Zeh is a great and timely doctor.”
- Jennie H.

 

“Dr. Zeh was super personable and engaged all the while working her way through my son's check-up without missing a beat! Commenting as needed and making sure she understood what was needed for the specific appointment!”
- Ginny H.

 

“Dr. Zeh had a motherly quality about her that was reassuring.”
- Cara C.

 

“Dr. Zeh was very kind and caring!! She made us feel very comfortable as she cared for our son. We REALLY appreciated how she explained everything to us. Such a great and knowledgeable doctor!”
- Stephanie O.

Office Location(s): Great Falls and Herndon

 

Melody Heiskell, M.D., F.A.A.P., is a compassionate pediatrician serving the families of Virginia Pediatric Group. She takes time to listen to her patients and their parents and prioritizes unrushed care. She greatly appreciates the privilege to partner with parents in helping their children thrive.

Dr. Heiskell graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Louisiana Scholars’ College in 2002. She then attained her medical degree from Louisiana Health Sciences Center in New Orleans in 2006. In 2009 she completed pediatric residency training at Emory University School of Medicine.

Upon residency completion, Dr. Heiskell joined the team at Virginia Pediatric Group in 2009. She is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and attends medical conferences every year to remain up to date on advances in medicine. She served as Chair of Pediatrics at Reston Hospital from 2018 until 2022. While she provides a full scope of pediatric care, Dr. Heiskell has special interests in preventative medicine, families of multiples, and family-centered health care.

Dr. Heiskell resides in Northern Virginia. In her spare time, she enjoys live music, local arts, hiking, cultural events, faith-based activities, farmers markets, and anything outdoors with her three very energetic children and dog.

 

Patient Reviews

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“Dr. Unikel is amazing ! She is very nice and caring ,and takes her job seriously! She is my son's favorite doctor!”
- Narges A.

 

“Dr Unikel has been seeing my children for 14 years. She is always knowledgeable about any topics I bring up and has helped our family navigate numerous pediatric situations. She is patient and kind but also extremely thorough.”
- Maria H.

 

“Our experience with Virginia Pediatrics has been nothing but wonderful!! Dr. Heiskell has been my daughter's pediatrician for many years and she is the main reason we continue to return!! Her understanding and medical advice is spot on. We are thankful for all that she and the practice have done for us throughout the years.”
- Heather A.

 

“Dr. Unikel is so sweet with my kids. She takes the tims to listen to any concerns. Highly recommend her and the VAPG group!”
- Maureen B.

Office Location(s): Herndon & Aldie

Other languages spoken: Spanish (moderately fluent), German (conversational) 

 

Reena Kaul, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.P., is a board-certified pediatrician dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality, and family-centered care. Dr. Kaul sees children in Fairfax, Herndon, and Aldie, Virginia, at Virginia Pediatric Group.

Dr. Kaul was born in Oklahoma and spent her childhood in Stone Mountain, Georgia. In 1995, she earned her Bachelor of Science in bioengineering at the University of California, San Diego, as a Regents’ Scholar. She then completed her Master of Public Health in Community Health Sciences/Child Health Policy at the University of California Los Angeles in 1997. 

While she enjoyed working in child health policy advocacy at Maternal and Child Health Access in Los Angeles on the community health level, Dr. Kaul ultimately decided that providing child and family-centered health care at the personal level is where she could make the most difference in the lives of children. 

In 2002, Dr. Kaul earned her medical degree at the University of Southern California-Keck School of Medicine with a National Health Services Corps (NHSC) Scholarship. She completed her pediatrics residency training at the Children’s Hospital and Research Center Oakland in 2005. 

After training, she worked as an NHSC scholar at a private, non-profit health center in the underserved area of Lehigh Acres, Florida, for three years. She then moved to Bergen County, New Jersey, where she worked in a large private practice prior to joining the Virginia Pediatric Group in 2013.

She is currently the President of the Health Connect IPA. She is also an Assistant Professor of Medical Education at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. 

Dr. Kaul enjoys helping guide children and families towards health and well-being from birth through adolescence. Her areas of interest include preventive medicine, nutrition, breastfeeding promotion, dermatology, and infectious disease.  

In her free time, Dr. Kaul enjoys spending time with her family, dancing, listening to music, cooking, and traveling. She resides in Herndon, Virginia, with her husband and their two young sons.

 

Patient Reviews

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“Loved how Doctor Kaul interacted with my one year old. She is a great listener and answers all questions.”
- Sonam A.

 

“We have been with Virginia Pediatrics since we moved to Stone Ridge a few years ago. We love Dr. Kaul and have been very happy with all the physicians we have seen at this practice.”
- Shafnden H.

 

“Dr. Kaul gave us reassurance in a very warm and comforting manner. She was thorough, confident and kind. She was knowledgeable and got right to the point. She was gentle with our baby.”
- Huma C.

 

“Dr. Kaul is absolutely the best and we try to see her whenever she has availability. All providers are excellent, but she's definitely our favorite! Our kids love her and she has the patience and demeanor you would expect for a pediatrician.”
- Mercedes P.

 

Office Location(s): Fairfax, Herndon

Vi Nguyen, MD, is a pediatrician dedicated to providing comprehensive evidence-based care to patients and their families in Fairfax and Herndon. 

Dr. Vi is a Northern Virginia native, born Washington, DC and raised in Fairfax. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Virginia. She continued with UVA for medical school followed by completion of pediatric residency at Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC.

Dr. Vi takes pride in building strong nurturing relationships with families. She collaborates closely to help make informed choices that are in the best interest of the child's health and wellbeing. She makes it a priority to create a warm and supportive environment where patients and their caregivers feel heard, valued, and respected. Her goal is to ensure that every child she cares for receives the highest standard of medical attention and support for a healthy, happy childhood.

Outside of her professional life, Dr. Vi enjoys trying local bakeries, exploring local parks, and hanging out on the couch with her family. She currently resides in Fairfax with her husband, young son, and Australian Shepherd.