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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.

Dr. Zeenat Hashmi is a board-certified and an active member of the American Academy of Family Medicine. She has been setting the highest standards of excellence in medical care for several years. Dr. Hashmi completed her post-graduate residency in Family Medicine at Franklin Square Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Although Dr. Hashmi provides complete healthcare services to both men and women, she also has a special interest in women's health. 

John Watts Haresch, MD is a family medicine physician who joined the practice in 2024. He currently focuses on the care of older adults. He previously served as a Regional Medical Officer with the U.S. Department of State, operated a full-spectrum private practice, and has been medical director of organizations meeting the needs of underserved communities. He completed medical school and family medicine residency in the University of North Carolina system.

Abraham Mbangowah, MSN, FNP, is a compassionate family nurse practitioner with nearly 15 years of experience working with patients of all ages. He’s highly skilled in all areas of primary, urgent, and preventive care.

Abraham earned his associate's degree in general studies at Prince George’s Community College in Largo, Maryland. He received his bachelor’s degree in nursing at Coppin State University in Baltimore, Maryland, where he graduated cum laude and was a member of the Mary Mahoney Honors Society. Abraham received his master’s degree and family nurse practitioner training at Chamberlain University in Irving, Texas. 

He’s a certified family nurse practitioner (FNP). Abraham specializes in general medicine and all areas of primary care, including the treatment of illnesses, diseases, and mental health conditions. He completes continuing education to provide the latest advances in medical care.

Abraham speaks English, French, and Creole. When he’s not working, he enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Abraham is passionate about caring for his patients and warmly welcomes them to Diversity Health Clinic LLC.  

Akukeng W. Mba, MSN, FNP, CFCS, is an experienced family nurse practitioner with 15 years of experience, including almost five experience as a foot care specialist. She’s highly skilled in exceeding the general and podiatry needs of patients aged 12 and older.

Akukeng received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing and family nurse practitioner credentials from Coppin State University in Baltimore, Maryland. She is a registered nurse and family nurse practitioner (FNP) who maintains her advanced medical credentials with continuing education.

Akukeng has worked in hospital and clinic settings. She has expertise in medication administration, nursing education, critical care medicine, healthcare management, advanced cardiac life support, and foot care. Akukeng specializes in routine foot assessments, diabetic foot exams, callus debridement, and managing conditions that affect the toenails.

Akukeng loves spending time with her friends and family when she’s not caring for patients. She welcomes new and existing patients to Diversity Health Clinic LLC and looks forward to improving their health and quality of life. 

Dr. Ron Rakowski, a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician for more than 25 years, was born and raised in Northern New Jersey and received his undergraduate degree in Biology with honors from Harvard College.  He graduated from University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD and completed his Emergency Medicine residency as an active duty USAF officer in the integrated program at Wright Patterson AFB / Wright State University in Dayton, OH.  After achieving the rank of Major and completing his obligation to the USAF at The First Fighter Wing Hospital Langley AFB, he separated from the military and became a staff physician and director of the Emergency Department at Mary Immaculate Hospital in Newport News, VA.  In 2001, following the birth of his third child, he and his family relocated to Maryland, where he became a staff physician at Frederick Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department, eventually becoming its Vice Chairman and then Medical Director.

 

Dr. Rakowski left FMH after 13 years and since has held various appointments, including as an internal travel physician with TeamHealth (staff EM physician at St. Joseph’s in Syracuse, NY and staff EM physician and director at St. Joseph’s in Reading, PA), staff EM physician with Holy Cross Hospital (Germantown, MD), staff EM physician with UPMC (Susquehanna / Williamsport, PA), and staff EM physician with WellSpan (Gettysburg, PA and Good Samaritan in Lebanon, PA).  When not in the ED, Dr. Rakowski has organized several medical mission trips to the Amazon basin in Peru and the mountain communities in Costa Rica.  

He continues to reside in Maryland with his wife and two dogs.  Dr. Rakowski looks forward to his involvement with RediCare Mobile Health Service and the impact the organization will have in keeping our communities at home, safe and healthy.

Have over 35 years of experience in medicine. Attended VCU-MCV for undergraduate studies majoring in Biology and minoring in Chemistry. Attended Meharry Medical College in Nashville and completed my Family Medicine residency at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital system.

I have been a provider in the Northern Virginia community for 23 years. I have worked in many different patient care areas including emergency medicine for 15 years, I also worked in several urgent cares, pediatrics and moved exclusively to the outpatient setting about 10 years ago. I found my love in addiction medicine and we also provide primary care services. I recognized a need in our community about 6 years ago with no practices providing covered services in addiction medicine. We are proud to be serving our communities to make us healthier and stronger for the future!

Leah is a family nurse practitioner with clinical experience in women’s health and pediatrics. Most recently Leah worked at an outpatient pediatric facility in Loudoun County VA. Leah received a Masters of Science in the Family Nurse Practitioner program at Shenandoah University in 2013. Leah received a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Shepherd University in 2006. Leah was a labor and delivery nurse at Fredrick Memorial Hospital from 2006-2013. In her spare time, Leah enjoys recreational running and spending time with her family.

Alyssa Larimore, CRNP is a certified registered Nurse Practitioner specializing in women's health. She received a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree from the University of Maryland School of Nursing in 2001. She is a certified Nurse Practitioner in Women's Health through the University of Maryland School of Nursing and the National Certification Corporation for Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing. Alyssa is a busy mother of three young children. She loves spending time with her family and still manages to exercise regularly. As a native of Maryland, Alyssa is a Ravens and Terps fan and enjoys attending their games.

Selamawit Abegaz, MS, CRNP, WHNP-BC, joined Frederick's Capital Women's Care team in 2024. Her healthcare career began after graduating from Montgomery College in 2017 with an Associate Degree in Nursing. While working as a Registered Nurse (RN) in a high-risk perinatal center at Holy Cross Hospital, Selamawit continued her education and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Maryland in 2020. Her deep compassion for improving women's health and commitment to promoting equity and inclusivity within the healthcare system motivated her to pursue a Master's degree in the Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) Program at Georgetown University, which she completed in 2024. With extensive experience caring for high-risk obstetric patients, Selamawit has honed the ability to build therapeutic relationships with patients from diverse communities. The rigorous WHNP program at Georgetown University further equipped her to deliver high-quality, evidence-based healthcare.

Selamawit is a dedicated advocate for equal access to exceptional care. Her mission is to ensure everyone receives the highest standard of evidence-based care regardless of their background or circumstances. This commitment reflects her core belief that high-quality healthcare is a fundamental right for all, inspiring hope for a more equitable future.

Dr. Selanawit speaks Amharic fluently

When not working, Selamawit enjoys spending time with her family, practicing yoga, and traveling.

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.