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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

“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): Fairfax, Herndon, and Aldie

Other languages spoken: Spanish (limited conversational), Kannada (limited conversational)

Dr. Shruti K Berlin, M.D., is a pediatrician providing individualized and compassionate care to families in Herndon, Fairfax, and Aldie, Virginia, alongside the team at Virginia Pediatric Group since 2022.

Dr. Berlin was born in Pittsburgh, PA but considers Herndon, VA her hometown. Growing up in a South Indian household, she is aware of how significant culturally competent medicine can be for a family. She graduated from Herndon High School in 2009 and went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree in Neurobiology with a minor in Medical Anthropology from Boston University. Dr. Berlin earned her Masters in Medical Sciences and medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA. In 2022, she completed her pediatric residency training at L.J. Murphy Inova Children's Hospital in Falls Church, VA.

Her goal at Virginia Pediatric Group is to provide evidence-based pediatric care that is appropriate for your family. Being a mother of young children herself, Dr. Berlin recognizes the need for practical parenting and medical advice and hopes to be a useful resource for Northern Virginia parents. Her special interests include Breastfeeding Medicine, newborn care, complex and preventative care.

In her free time, Dr. Berlin enjoys spending time with her husband (who she met in 5th grade), toddler and infant sons. She lives in Sterling, VA and loves to explore new restaurants and wineries in the area.

Patient Reviews

“Dr. Berlin was great and got my son diagnosed and back to feeling better!”
- Jamal J.

“We love her! So personable and gives great advice/guidance.”
- Claire H.

“Dr. Berlin is very personable and had some great advice for us in taking care of our new born.”
- Vihari V.

“Dr. Berlin was very friendly, thorough and genuinely concerned with my son's well-being.”
- Erika C.

Office Location(s): Fairfax, Herndon, and Aldie

Other languages spoken: Teochew Chinese (basic conversational)

Sandy Huynh, M.D., F.A.A.P., is a board-certified pediatrician who provides comprehensive care to children in Fairfax, Great Falls, Herndon, and Aldie, Virginia. Dr. Huynh brings over a decade of experience to the team at Virginia Pediatric Group. 

Dr. Huynh was raised in Kansas. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in biology at the University of Kansas, graduating with distinction, and completed her medical degree at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 2010. While in medical school, she was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society, which recognizes students, residents, and faculty who are exemplars of compassionate patient care and who serve as role models, mentors, and leaders in medicine. In 2013, she completed her pediatrics residency training at Inova Children's Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia, where she was selected to be Chief Resident for the following year. 

Dr. Huynh joined the team at Virginia Pediatric Group in 2013. She is passionate about providing high-quality, unrushed pediatric care and is proud to partner with families throughout the area. Dr. Huynh is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and is an Instructor of Pediatrics for the VCU School of Medicine. She is also an Assistant Professor of Medical Education at the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

Dr. Huynh is an avid sports fan who can be found cheering on the Kansas Jayhawks, Kansas City Chiefs, and Kansas City Royals. She lives in Fairfax, Virginia, with her husband and daughters.

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

“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.

Office Location(s): Herndon and Aldie

Other languages spoken: Spanish (fluent)

Belen Pappa, M.D., Sc.M, is a pediatrician providing compassionate and culturally competent care to families in Herndon, Fairfax, and Aldie, Virginia, alongside the team at Virginia Pediatric Group since 2021.

Dr. Pappa was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is fluent in Spanish and enjoys working with families of diverse cultural backgrounds. Her special interests include supporting new parents in the care of their newborn, preventive health, genetics, and adolescent medicine. 

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Genetics from the University of Maryland, graduating with high honors and trained as a Genetic Counselor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. After working several years as a Genetic Counselor in Washington D.C., Dr. Pappa returned to school to earn her medical degree from West Virginia University in 2018. She completed her pediatric residency at VCU Health Systems in Richmond, Virginia, in 2021, with a special focus on primary care. 

In her free time, Dr. Pappa enjoys spending time with her family and friends, discovering new restaurants, and traveling. She lives in Leesburg, Virginia, with her husband and young son. 

Patient Reviews

“Dr. Pappa was super friendly and warm. She connected with my daughter right away. Our visit with her was incredibly thorough and informative.”
- Jonelle S.

“Dr. Pappa was kind, gentle, and thorough in her examination of my sick 9mo. She didn't come off as rushed, and gave me plenty of time to ask questions, all of which she answered fully. I highly recommend Dr. Pappa!”
- Mollie M.

“The Doctor was very friendly and knowledgeable seeing kids for the first time.”
- Shiraz A.

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

“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 and Aldie

Other languages spoken: Vietnamese (fluent)

Tuc Nguyen, M.D., F.A.A.P., is board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She provides compassionate and comprehensive care to children throughout Aldie, Fairfax, and Great Falls, Virginia, at Virginia Pediatric Group. 

Dr. Nguyen was born in Vietnam and raised in the Northern Virginia area. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in biology from the University of Virginia in 1992 and went on to the National Institutes of Health to conduct clinical research trials on pediatric obesity. In 2004, she earned her medical degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.

In 2008, Dr. Nguyen completed her pediatric residency at Inova Children's Hospital. She worked in a pediatric group practice in Loudoun County for 10 years prior to joining Virginia Pediatric Group in 2018. 

Dr. Nguyen is very involved in training the next generation of pediatric health care providers. She is currently an assistant professor at the University of Virginia and helps train third-year medical students. She also mentors pediatric residents at the Inova Children's Hospital.

At Virginia Pediatric Group, Dr. Nguyen practices all aspects of general pediatrics, and her special interests include breastfeeding, nutrition/obesity prevention, adolescent medicine including gynecological health, and mental health. She is trained by the REACH Institute to assess, diagnose, and treat common pediatric mental health conditions like ADHD, anxiety, and depression. Dr. Nguyen believes it is a great honor to be a pediatrician and a privilege to work with children and their families.  

In her free time, she enjoys cooking, gardening, and practicing yoga. She is fluent in Vietnamese and lives in Vienna, Virginia, with her husband, three children, and their dog.

Patient Reviews

“Dr. Nguyen always takes time with us -- we never feel rushed and always feel listened to. She asks good questions and makes good suggestions.”
- Kristen U.

“Dr. Nguyen is the best! We couldn't ask for a better pediatrician.”
- Corey B.

“Dr. Nguyen is amazing — so kind and thorough and very well suited for my teenage daughter. I’m so grateful for her time, patience and knowledge.”
- Jennifer T.

“Dr. Nguyen was attentive and compassionate. She helped a new (again) mom get through the emotional first week of baby woes (not eating or sleeping). She gave reassuring advice and scheduled an immediate follow up. I am very happy with her and the office caring for my newborn.”
- Fadia P.

Office Location - Herndon and Great Falls

Nawal Alkharouf, M.D., M.S., F.A.A.P., is a board-certified pediatrician and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is committed to a compassionate, evidence-based yet holistic approach to caring for children of all ages. 

Dr. Alkharouf was born in Malaysia and grew up in Jordan. She received her Bachelor of Arts in biology from the University of Jordan, and a Master of Science in biological sciences at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. She received her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH. She completed her pediatric residency at Georgetown, D.C. in 2011, followed by additional training in pediatric hematology-oncology at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and the National Institutes of Health.

Following her training, Dr. Alkharouf worked as a general pediatrician near Seattle, WA for about 8 years. She gained valuable experience serving children with special needs at the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital Complex Primary Care Clinic in Tacoma, WA. She was awarded a COE (center of excellence) for diagnosing and managing autism spectrum disorders in WA through the Seattle Children's Hospital and the University of WA.

Dr. Alkharouf is interested in all aspects of pediatrics, including newborns, early childhood development and behavior, nutrition, holistic wellness, mental health, and autism. She is trained by the REACH institute to assess, diagnose, and treat common pediatric mental health conditions like ADHD, anxiety and depression.

When not working, Dr. Alkharouf enjoys hiking, meditation and yoga, reading, gardening, traveling, and art.

Patient Reviews

“Dr. Nawal is an amazing doctor! Her diagnosis are superb, plus she has a great bedsides manners. We are so fortunate to have her as our kids pediatrician.”
- Ferda M.

“Doctor was wonderful and incredibly kind and helpful. Listened to my concerns and questions even if they sounded small or benign. She is great!”
- Kelly T.

“A wonderful experience. Dr. Alkharouf was very friendly, personable and knowledgeable. She was great at making my daughter feel comfortable while getting a check up!”
- Marquita W.

“Very caring and knowledgeable doctor, willing to talk a bit and answer questions. Really appreciated the engagement!”
- Jenna G.