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Dr. Blessing Ayanou, DNP, CRNP received her doctorate degree in nursing practice from Chatham University and master’s degree from Walden University at Minneapolis, MN She completed her family nurse practitioner from Walden University Minneapolis, MN She has experience in both inpatient and outpatient medical practice She is fluent in French

Dr. Blessing Ayanou, DNP, CRNP received her doctorate degree in nursing practice from Chatham University and master’s degree from Walden University at Minneapolis, MN She completed her family nurse practitioner from Walden University Minneapolis, MN She has experience in both inpatient and outpatient medical practice She is fluent in French

Dr. Unegbu received his medical degree from Spartan Health Science University at St. Lucia, West Indies He completed his family medicine residency from Howard University Teaching Hospital in Washington DC He has experience in both inpatient and outpatient medical practice He is the present appointed City of Laurel Chief Health Officer He is a member of American Academy of Family Physicians He is a member of American Nigerian Physician Association in U.S.A He is fluent in Spanish. Igbo and English

Melissa Falkowski attended Mount Saint Mary College where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree. Melissa has over 15 years of experience in the healthcare field, including Oncology, Preoperative and Postoperative care, and Operating Room experience. After working for 2 years in the Operating Room with Dr. Desai, Melissa joined the team at International Spine, Pain & Performance Center in 2017. As Chief Operating Officer, Melissa is focused on ensuring all clinical standards are met to guarantee that our patients receive optimal and cutting edge care. Melissa partners with the clinicians at ISPPC to execute our mission statement of being leaders in clinical excellence. In her spare time, Melissa enjoys traveling the world with her husband and daughters, and spending time with their family and friends.

For over 10 years, I have been combining conventional and innovative methods to modern medicine in order to attain unbelievable healing results for my patients. Through active listening and thoughtful questioning, I am able to deliver high-quality care that utilizes the most advancement in medicine. I am particularly interested in health prevention, creating access and delivery of care that is cost-effective and appropriate for the individual. I graduated in 2009 with honors, where I completed my clinical training in Family Medicine. I am a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner. I was also a clinical faculty at DeSales University for 5 where I had the privilege of helping to mentor the next generation of nurse practitioners.

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.

For over 10 years, I have been combining conventional and innovative methods to modern medicine in order to attain unbelievable healing results for my patients. Through active listening and thoughtful questioning, I am able to deliver high-quality care that utilizes the most advancement in medicine. I am particularly interested in health prevention, creating access and delivery of care that is cost-effective and appropriate for the individual. I graduated in 2009 with honors, where I completed my clinical training in Family Medicine. I am a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner. I was also a clinical faculty at DeSales University for 5 where I had the privilege of helping to mentor the next generation of nurse practitioners.

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.

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.

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.

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.

At Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery, PC, the board-certified colon and rectal surgeons provide comprehensive colorectal care to adults at six convenient locations in Fairfax, Fair Oaks, Alexandria, Gainesville, Woodbridge, and Lansdowne, Virginia.

Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery, PC was founded by Dr. Colvin in 1984 as a one-man endeavor. At that time, colon and rectal surgery was a relatively new concept in Northern Virginia. A lot’s changed in the more than 30 years since, but FCRS has continued to pioneer advances in colon and rectal surgery.

Each practice location features a welcoming, spa-like environment and state-of-the-art diagnostics and surgical equipment. Patients can access same-day treatment for a wide range of anorectal health problems, including hemorrhoids, anal cancer, anal pain, rectal cancer, and fecal incontinence. 

 

Whenever possible, the providers recommend minimally invasive treatments, like laparoscopy or robotic-assisted da Vinci surgery. These procedures allow for smaller incisions, shorter hospital stays, and a reduced risk of infection.

FCRS performs more than 45% of all colorectal procedures in Northern Virginia. The provider’s knowledge and expertise don’t go unnoticed. Many of the surgeons have even been voted “Best Doctors” and “Top Doctors” by Washingtonian and Northern Virginia magazines.

To receive high-quality outpatient surgery at an AAAHC accredited Ambulatory Surgical Center, partner with the fellowship-trained, board-certified colorectal surgeons at Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery, PC. Make an appointment by calling the nearest office or clicking the online booking feature today.