Cardiologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Chiropractor providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dentist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dermatologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Family Physician providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
OB-GYN providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Ophthalmologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Orthopedic Surgeon providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Pediatrician providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Physical Therapist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Podiatrist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Psychiatrist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
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.
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.
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.
Sophie Yuth, MD, FAAP is a board certified pediatrician dedicated to providing comprehensive evidence based care to patients and their families in Fairfax.
Dr. Yuth is a Northern Virginia native, born and raised in Springfield. She received a dual degree Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics and Biology from Virginia Commonwealth University. She went on to St. George's University in Grenada for medical school followed by completion of pediatric residency at Jefferson Einstein Hospital in Philadelphia.
She is deeply passionate about newborn care, advocating for and empowering mothers in their breastfeeding journeys. She is currently in pursuit of becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) as another means to strengthen her skill set and offer support to her patients. Additionally in the seemingly opposite realm of adolescent health her other passion includes her commitment to providing sensitive gynecological care and guidance to teenage girls. She also has a clinical interest in the management of atopic diseases such as asthma and eczema and strives to stay up to date with the latest research and guidelines.
Dr. Yuth takes pride in building strong nurturing relationships with families. She collaborates closely with them to make informed choices that are in the best interest of the child's health and well being. 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. Yuth enjoys finding new local restaurants and cuisines to explore, curling up with a book (although she has recently become an audiobook convert), traveling, and being outdoors. She currently resides in Fairfax with her husband and their two young toddlers.
Patient Reviews
“Dr. Yuth was kind and she took her time with my boys. We were satisfied with her service.I would recommend for anyone with young children.” - Farhiya A.
“We are very happy with the care Dr. Yuth has provided over the years to our dauther. She is attentive, caring, responsive and reasuring. Cannot thank her enough.” - Dimitar T.
“Dr. Sophie was very friendly and attentive to our concerns. She treated my daughter nicely and respectfully. She gave a thorough explanation about the medical procedures and even shared few information that are vital for us. Even the nurses are friendly and professional in doing their job. Thank you for such an amazing experience.” - Mohd Aizat Bin A.
“We get great care from Dr Yuth!!” - Christopher D.
James Baugh, M.D., F.A.A.P., has been on the team at Virginia Pediatric Group for over thirty years. He has dedicated his medical career to providing pediatric care for children in Fairfax and Herndon, Virginia.
Dr. Baugh was born in New York and considers San Marino, California, his hometown. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in human biology at Stanford University and his medical degree from George Washington University in 1980. He completed his pediatrics residency training at the William Beaumont Army Center in 1983.
Prior to joining Virginia Pediatric Group in 1989, Dr. Baugh served in the U.S. Army in Missouri and Belgium. He also completed an Infectious Disease Fellowship at the Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. Dr. Baugh has received numerous teaching awards, including Best Pediatric Resident Teaching Award, Best Ambulatory Pediatric Attending Teacher at Inova Fairfax Children's Hospital 1999, 2005, 2011, and a Teacher Excellence Award from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2010.
Dr. Baugh's interests in pediatrics are multifaceted. His professional enjoyment stems from his intrigue into the many facets of child health and development and how children and families can thrive. He enjoys seeing the human brain develop and adapt as a child is nurtured, loved, and educated. He also likes learning about issues in infectious illnesses, both here and abroad. More recently, international adoption has become an interest as it involves child development, sometimes infectious illnesses, and always international medicine.
In recent years, Dr. Baugh has traveled internationally to promote pediatric education training efforts in Haiti. He is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and is proficient in French.
In his spare time, he enjoys tennis, exercise, hiking, biking, French, music, travel, and gardening. He has two grown children and resides in Fairfax with his wife.
Patient Reviews
“Dr. Baugh is the best pediatrician we have encountered. He is very knowledgeable, caring and takes time to answer any questions. He has been caring for my son since he was only one week old. Unfortunately, we are leaving but Dr. Baugh was the best thing that happened to us and we are going to miss him. Thank you doctor for everything.” - Shweta P.
“Dr. Baugh is simply an amazing pediatrician. Experienced, knowledgeable, attentive, data-driven yet flexible in his approaches, we could not ask for a better doctor for our baby daughter. Every visit with Dr. Baugh has been a very positive experience and I can't imagine entrusting our child's medical needs to anyone else.” - Zbynek K.
“We love Dr. Baugh! He has great rapport with my sons and it's obvious that he loves interacting with kids. He is a talented and very well informed physician who picks up on subtle things that most other doctors would miss. He has been an important value add to our family and to my parenting. I hope he never retires!!” - Emily G.
“Dr. Baugh is terrific! He really listens to both patient and parent concerns and provides both verbal and written advice. I recommend him to anyone whose child needs help managing their ADHD or other diagnosis.” - Kimberly G.
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.
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.
Other languages spoken: HIndi (limited conversational)
Ranjana Jain, M.D., F.A.A.P., is a board-certified pediatrician and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Alongside the team at Virginia Pediatric Group, Dr. Jain is dedicated to helping families in Fairfax and Herndon, Virginia, keep their children healthy and happy!
Dr. Jain was born in New York City and grew up in rural southwest Virginia. She received her Bachelor of Arts in chemistry from the University of Virginia and her medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia/VCU. She completed her pediatric residency at North Shore University/Schneider's Children's Hospital in Long Island, New York, in 2002.
Prior to joining Virginia Pediatric Group in 2003, Dr. Jain worked with her father at his pediatric practice in her hometown. She is interested in all aspects of pediatric practice and enjoys seeing her patients grow into young adults. In 2015, Dr. Jain was recognized as one of Washingtonian's Top Docs.
Outside of work, Dr. Jain's hobbies include running, skiing, hiking, traveling, and yoga. She lives in Falls Church, Virginia, with her husband and two young boys.
Patient Reviews
“Dr. Jain is thorough, kind and thoughtful. She's gone above and beyond to check in when my newborn was having feeding issues.” - Adrienne H.
“We feel very fortunate to have our child under Dr. Jain's care. She is incredibly patient, thoughtful, and kind. It's clear that she really wants to help our child, and we never feel rushed. She is the best pediatrician we have ever seen.” - Ira M.
“Visiting Jain is always fulfilling about our child’s health. She is very meticulous, comprehensive and thorough in reviewing the child’s health history and makes right recommendations.” - Venugopal P.
“Dr Jain is a wonderful, caring doctor that not only takes time to listen to any concerns you may have but also to explain next steps and options. Highly recommend her for your kids doctor.” - Rose K.
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.
Other languages spoken: Farsi (fluent), Dari (fluent), Urdu/Hindi (fluent), Arabic (basic fluency), French (basic fluency)
Farangis Habib, M.D., MHSc, F.A.A.P., is an accomplished pediatrician on the team at Virginia Pediatric Group. Dr. Habib provides care to children from the practice's office locations in Great Falls, and Herndon, Virginia.
Dr. Habib was born in Tehran, Iran, and earned her medical degree in 1981 from Dow Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan. In 1988, she completed her pediatric training in hospitals in Karachi, London, and Dublin, graduating with the highest honors.
For several years, Dr. Habib worked as a pediatrician as well as a researcher and medical director for two international pharmaceutical companies. During this time, she became interested in public health and began her training at Harvard school of public health. Later, she completed a Tropical Medicine Certificate at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2000. She then earned a Master of Health Science in molecular microbiology and immunology from Johns Hopkins in 2001.
For over a decade, Dr. Habib worked in various allied health fields. She completed her pediatrics residency at Toledo Children's Hospital and became board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. Subsequently, she worked as a pediatrician in Ohio, Fredericksburg, and Reston until she joined the Virginia Pediatric Group in 2017.
Dr. Habib is a Graduate Fellow of the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, Arizona University, 2023. She is trained in Reach institute and treats children/adolescents with mental illness.
She is a member of several organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, HANDS (Health and Nutrition Development Society), Spouse member of YPO (Young Presidents' Organization) DC-Baltimore chapter, Alumnus of Harvard School of Public Health, Alumnus of Johns Hopkins University, and Alumnae-I-Network for Harvard Women.
Dr. Habib lives in northern Virginia with her husband and has four grown children. She is fluent in English, Farsi, Hindi, Dari, basic French, and Arabic. In her free time, she enjoys playing chess, cooking, reading Persian poetry, doing calligraphy, and listening to traditional music.
Patient Reviews
“We drive 30 minutes out of the district to see Dr. Habib because she’s attentive and patient; she listens to the concerns of the parents but also fosters security in the babies. We’ve been with VAPG since our twins were newborns and after meeting with Dr. Habib, I have made it a point to schedule my daughters’ appointments on days she is in the office. Highly recommend it!” - Ashley F.
“My daughter Alicia just recently had meningitis and she's only 6 months. With babies this age, it's hard to notice them, and COVID is making it even harder. Thanks for Dr Habib, she wasted no time in demanding that I go to the Inova ER and have my daughter checked out and examined. I deeply thank her for discovering the meningitis and asking me to go to the ER, she truly saved my baby's life!” - Alicia Z.
“Wonderful Experience !! Dr Habib went above and beyond. Help my little one and answer my concerns.” - Lilian C.
“Very patient and kind. She is an out of the box thinker when it comes to treatment. Wonderful doctor!” - September O.
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): available to all locations via telemedicine
Russell Libby, M.D., F.A.A.P., is the founder of Virginia Pediatric Group and has acted as the practice president since its inception in 1982. “It is a privilege to be a pediatrician, and I take great pride in helping children and their families grow and thrive from infancy to young adulthood.” Virginia Pediatric Group has convenient locations in Fairfax, Herndon, and Great Falls, Virginia.
Dr. Libby was born and raised in the Washington, D.C., area. He received his Bachelor of Science in zoology and his Doctor of Medicine at George Washington University. He completed his pediatrics residency at Georgetown University Hospital in 1982 and is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. He was also certified as a home care medical director by the American Academy of Home Care Physicians in 1998.
Dr. Libby has been committed to helping doctors work together to provide high-quality and cost-effective care. He is a founding director and past president of HealthConnect IPA, a primary care Independent Practice Association. He was been Chief of the General Pediatrics section at Inova Children’s Hospital from 2000 to 2022, and a member of the hospital leadership committee.
Dr. Libby has been named best pediatrician in the Washington area by Families Magazine for more than 20 years and is consistently listed among Washingtonian’s and Northern Virginia Magazine’s top doctors. He spent many years hosting educational television shows on medicine and health care, including “Dr. Libby’s World of Medicine,” and was the host of the weekly ABC radio show “To Your Health.” He was the lead editor and contributing author of Guidelines for Pediatric Home Health Care, published by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
He has authored numerous articles, chapters for books, opinion pieces for national media, and major policy statements for both the Medical Society of Virginia and the American Academy of Pediatrics. He has been President of the Medical Society of Northern Virginia and was President of the Medical Society of Virginia from 2012-2013. Dr. Libby is a delegate at the American Medical Association, representing the Integrated Physician Practice Section, and is a Board member of the Physicians Foundation, where he has led initiatives on physician wellness, telehealth, and addressing social determinants of health. He is on the Editorial Advisory Board and an author for the prestigious pediatric journal, Contemporary Pediatrics.
Dr. Libby has three grown children and resides in Northern Virginia with his wonderful wife. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, cycling, playing guitar, and creating stained glass art.
Patient Reviews
“Dr. Libby was my pediatrician so it is so fun for my 8yr old daughter to go to the same doctor I had growing up. Our telemed appointment with Dr Libby was great. He answered all of my questions, talked through recent COVID studies, and was a pleasure to talk to. The entire VPG practice is excellent.” - Cynthia K.
“Dr Libby is an outstanding Doctor with a lot of experience with kids and parents. He is taking great care of our son, who has ADHD.” - Sophia K.
“Dr. Libby is a joy. He is able to communicate beautifully with my son to ask all the right questions, gain the information he needs. His diagnosis and medicinal treatments have been spot-on for my son, resulting in huge improvements academically as well as at home.” - Christine B.
“Dr. Libby is an outstanding pediatrician and he has an amazing way of communicating both with parents and kids. He has been our boys' doctor since they were born and has always provided the most competent and compassionate advice and treatment. We feel truly grateful for all the care we ever got from Dr. Libby.” - Daliborka S.
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.
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.
Other languages spoken: Farsi (fluent), Dari (fluent), Urdu/Hindi (fluent), Arabic (basic fluency), French (basic fluency)
Farangis Habib, M.D., MHSc, F.A.A.P., is an accomplished pediatrician on the team at Virginia Pediatric Group. Dr. Habib provides care to children from the practice's office locations in Great Falls, and Herndon, Virginia.
Dr. Habib was born in Tehran, Iran, and earned her medical degree in 1981 from Dow Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan. In 1988, she completed her pediatric training in hospitals in Karachi, London, and Dublin, graduating with the highest honors.
For several years, Dr. Habib worked as a pediatrician as well as a researcher and medical director for two international pharmaceutical companies. During this time, she became interested in public health and began her training at Harvard school of public health. Later, she completed a Tropical Medicine Certificate at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2000. She then earned a Master of Health Science in molecular microbiology and immunology from Johns Hopkins in 2001.
For over a decade, Dr. Habib worked in various allied health fields. She completed her pediatrics residency at Toledo Children's Hospital and became board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. Subsequently, she worked as a pediatrician in Ohio, Fredericksburg, and Reston until she joined the Virginia Pediatric Group in 2017.
Dr. Habib is a Graduate Fellow of the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, Arizona University, 2023. She is trained in Reach institute and treats children/adolescents with mental illness.
She is a member of several organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, HANDS (Health and Nutrition Development Society), Spouse member of YPO (Young Presidents' Organization) DC-Baltimore chapter, Alumnus of Harvard School of Public Health, Alumnus of Johns Hopkins University, and Alumnae-I-Network for Harvard Women.
Dr. Habib lives in northern Virginia with her husband and has four grown children. She is fluent in English, Farsi, Hindi, Dari, basic French, and Arabic. In her free time, she enjoys playing chess, cooking, reading Persian poetry, doing calligraphy, and listening to traditional music.
Patient Reviews
“We drive 30 minutes out of the district to see Dr. Habib because she’s attentive and patient; she listens to the concerns of the parents but also fosters security in the babies. We’ve been with VAPG since our twins were newborns and after meeting with Dr. Habib, I have made it a point to schedule my daughters’ appointments on days she is in the office. Highly recommend it!” - Ashley F.
“My daughter Alicia just recently had meningitis and she's only 6 months. With babies this age, it's hard to notice them, and COVID is making it even harder. Thanks for Dr Habib, she wasted no time in demanding that I go to the Inova ER and have my daughter checked out and examined. I deeply thank her for discovering the meningitis and asking me to go to the ER, she truly saved my baby's life!” - Alicia Z.
“Wonderful Experience !! Dr Habib went above and beyond. Help my little one and answer my concerns.” - Lilian C.
“Very patient and kind. She is an out of the box thinker when it comes to treatment. Wonderful doctor!” - September O.
James Baugh, M.D., F.A.A.P., has been on the team at Virginia Pediatric Group for over thirty years. He has dedicated his medical career to providing pediatric care for children in Fairfax and Herndon, Virginia.
Dr. Baugh was born in New York and considers San Marino, California, his hometown. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in human biology at Stanford University and his medical degree from George Washington University in 1980. He completed his pediatrics residency training at the William Beaumont Army Center in 1983.
Prior to joining Virginia Pediatric Group in 1989, Dr. Baugh served in the U.S. Army in Missouri and Belgium. He also completed an Infectious Disease Fellowship at the Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. Dr. Baugh has received numerous teaching awards, including Best Pediatric Resident Teaching Award, Best Ambulatory Pediatric Attending Teacher at Inova Fairfax Children's Hospital 1999, 2005, 2011, and a Teacher Excellence Award from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2010.
Dr. Baugh's interests in pediatrics are multifaceted. His professional enjoyment stems from his intrigue into the many facets of child health and development and how children and families can thrive. He enjoys seeing the human brain develop and adapt as a child is nurtured, loved, and educated. He also likes learning about issues in infectious illnesses, both here and abroad. More recently, international adoption has become an interest as it involves child development, sometimes infectious illnesses, and always international medicine.
In recent years, Dr. Baugh has traveled internationally to promote pediatric education training efforts in Haiti. He is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and is proficient in French.
In his spare time, he enjoys tennis, exercise, hiking, biking, French, music, travel, and gardening. He has two grown children and resides in Fairfax with his wife.
Patient Reviews
“Dr. Baugh is the best pediatrician we have encountered. He is very knowledgeable, caring and takes time to answer any questions. He has been caring for my son since he was only one week old. Unfortunately, we are leaving but Dr. Baugh was the best thing that happened to us and we are going to miss him. Thank you doctor for everything.” - Shweta P.
“Dr. Baugh is simply an amazing pediatrician. Experienced, knowledgeable, attentive, data-driven yet flexible in his approaches, we could not ask for a better doctor for our baby daughter. Every visit with Dr. Baugh has been a very positive experience and I can't imagine entrusting our child's medical needs to anyone else.” - Zbynek K.
“We love Dr. Baugh! He has great rapport with my sons and it's obvious that he loves interacting with kids. He is a talented and very well informed physician who picks up on subtle things that most other doctors would miss. He has been an important value add to our family and to my parenting. I hope he never retires!!” - Emily G.
“Dr. Baugh is terrific! He really listens to both patient and parent concerns and provides both verbal and written advice. I recommend him to anyone whose child needs help managing their ADHD or other diagnosis.” - Kimberly G.
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.
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.
