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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.

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.

Jennifer (“Jenn”) is a pediatric bilingual (Spanish/English) speech-language pathologist at Express Yourself Therapy’s Kensington, MD location. She earned her Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Teachers College, Columbia University with a bilingual extension certificate, and her Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Applied Linguistics from Saint Michael’s College in Vermont.

Prior to joining EYT, Jenn worked as a speech-language pathologist at a nonpublic special education school serving neurodivergent students (K-8) with complex learning and communication profiles. In this role, she collaborated closely with special educators and multidisciplinary teams to support students’ communication across academic and social environments.

Jenn’s clinical interests include:

• supporting gestalt language processors
• developmental disabilities (e.g., autism, ADHD, Down syndrome)
• motor speech disorders (apraxia, dysarthria)
• literacy
• multilingual language development
• multimodal communicators who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)

She also has a deep understanding of executive functioning and its foundational relationship to language use and comprehension.

She is a trained clinician in Meaningful Speech’s Natural Language Acquisition framework for gestalt language processors, including advanced training in AAC and GLPs. Jenn has completed additional certifications through The Sensory SLP (Level 1), Visualizing and Verbalizing® Language Comprehension & Thinking (Lindamood-Bell), and Seeds of Learning® training with Tera Sumpter. She also holds an Introduction to PROMPT (Level 1) certification and is currently completing her DIRFloortime® Certification.

Jenn’s intervention style is child-led, holistic, and rooted in connection. She loves being creative in sessions (and isn’t afraid of getting messy!) and warmly welcomes caregivers into therapy to discover how communication can be natural, functional, and meaningful in everyday life.

Outside of EYT, Jenn adores spending time in her garden, drinking cafecitos with a cozy murder mystery book in hand, collaborating with her husband on a shared Google Doc about their dream trip to Antarctica, and cuddling with her toothless black cat, Bean!

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.

Shannon is passionate about supporting children and families in pursuing joy and skill development. She graduated from St. Ambrose University, earning her BA in Psychology and her Master's in Occupational Therapy. She has worked in a wide variety of settings, including clinic-based, therapeutic day schools, and daycare/school settings.

In her therapy sessions and training, she prioritizes a client-centered and neurodiversity affirming approach while encouraging family involvement and support. Sessions typically focus on regulation, sensory-motor skills, social skills, executive function skills, visual-perception, and coordination. She is certified in DIRFloortime and the SOS approach to feeding.

In her free time, Shannon enjoys running, soccer, baking, and spending time with her family.

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. 

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.  

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.

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

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“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.    

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): primarily Fairfax

Other languages spoken: Spanish 

Lorena Botero-Calderon, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician and pediatric nephrologist committed to delivering personalized, evidence-based care to children and their families at Virginia Pediatric Group in Fairfax, Virginia. 

Born and raised in Colombia, Dr. Botero-Calderon appreciates the significance of cultural competence in providing compassionate and effective healthcare. She earned her medical degree from Universidad del Valle in Cali, Colombia, before moving to the United States. There, she completed her pediatric residency at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Ohio, followed by a pediatric nephrology fellowship at Children’s National Hospital Medical Center in Washington, DC.

At Virginia Pediatric Group, Dr. Botero-Calderon strives to offer comprehensive medical care and practical guidance, becoming a valuable resource for families as their children grow and develop. Her goal is to help her patients achieve their healthiest and happiest selves. She has particular interests in newborn care and asthma, ensuring these areas receive the dedicated attention they require.

In her free time, Dr. Botero-Calderon enjoys discovering new restaurants and traveling. She resides in Washington, DC, with her husband, embracing the rich cultural and culinary experiences the city offers. Her diverse background and dedication to her patients make her a trusted and respected physician in her community.

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.

 

Other languages spoken: Spanish 

April Venn, MD, is a dedicated pediatrician proudly serving families at Virginia Pediatric Group in Fairfax and Herndon, Virginia. A native of Fairfax, Dr. Venn grew up receiving care from the Virginia Pediatric Group, making her return as a provider a full-circle moment. She is passionate about giving back to the community that shaped her and creating a warm, supportive environment for families and children.

Dr. Venn holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia and earned her medical degree from Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine. She completed her pediatric residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School/Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters in Norfolk, VA. Before joining the Virginia Pediatric Group, she gained valuable experience working in a pediatric emergency room for four years. Fluent in Spanish, Dr. Venn began learning the language as a child in an immersion program, allowing her to connect with a diverse patient population.

Dr. Venn treasures the relationships she builds with her patients and their families, valuing the moments when children feel comfortable and excited to see her. Her goal is to foster a positive and trusting atmosphere that leaves a lasting impact, just as her childhood experiences with VPG physicians inspired her.

In her free time, Dr. Venn enjoys swimming, reading, baking, afternoon tea, photography, and traveling. She resides in Fairfax and is thrilled to welcome new and returning families to her offices in Fairfax and Herndon.

Office Location(s): Fairfax and Herndon

Other languages spoken: Spanish, Portuguese-Brazilian

Heloisa Moser, MD, FAAP is a dedicated pediatrician who is passionate about providing comprehensive and compassionate care to children and their families. She sees patients at the Virginia Pediatric Group locations in Herndon and Fairfax, Virginia. 

Born and raised in Brazil, Dr. Moser knew from an early age that she wanted to become a pediatrician. After traveling the world and exploring her passion for adventure, she completed medical school in Brazil and went on to finish her pediatric residency at St. Joseph's University Medical Center in New Jersey.

Dr. Moser is particularly passionate about mental health and its impact on the development of children and adolescents. She strives to create a warm, supportive environment that fosters meaningful connections with families. Her focus is to ensure that every child she cares for can thrive, grow, and prepare for a healthy future—ready to become resilient adults. For Dr. Moser, it is both a privilege and a joy to be part of this foundational process.

In her free time, Dr. Moser enjoys traveling, exploring new cultures, and listening to audiobooks. She cherishes every chance to be near the beach, embracing her Brazilian roots as someone raised on an island. Dr. Moser currently lives in Fairfax with her husband and their two sons, who are the light of her life.

Office Location(s): Fairfax and Herndon

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

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“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.