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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. 

 

 

 

 

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.

Kailey is a speech-language pathologist at Express Yourself Therapy’s Kensington, MD branch. She earned her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from George Washington University and her Bachelor of Science in Education degree from the University of Virginia.
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Kailey was driven to speech-language pathology as she went to speech therapy for many years growing up. Her SLP always made therapy exciting and motivating, so Kailey strives to have the same effect on all of the kids she works with. She loves bringing out her inner child during sessions and being silly with kids while simultaneously targeting their goals in a meaningful and engaging way. 

In her free time, she loves working out, vacationing in Bethany Beach, and spending time with her family and friends.

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.  

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. 

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): Fairfax and Aldie

Other languages spoken: Vietnamese (fluent)

 

Tuc Nguyen, MD, IBCLC, FAAP, is board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is a general pediatrician and also a lactation consultant and provides compassionate and comprehensive care to children throughout Aldie and Fairfax, 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 in 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 trains pediatric residents at the Inova Fairfax Children’s Hospital.

At Virginia Pediatric Group, Dr. Nguyen practices all aspects of general pediatrics, and her special interests include breastfeeding and lactation medicine, nutrition and obesity prevention, adolescent medicine including gynecological health, and mental health conditions. She is trained by the REACH Institute to assess, diagnose, and treat common pediatric mental health conditions including ADHD, anxiety, and depression. She is also trained as a lactation consultant to assist families with breastfeeding and lactation support/challenges.  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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Office Location - Fairfax

Debra Zeh grew up in Queens, New York, graduating from St. John’s University with a BS in Biology. She attended medical school at SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn, New York. Her internship and residency were done at Georgetown University Medical Center. She and her husband, Dr. Manuel Guillen, founded and ran Virginia Allergy & Pediatrics for almost 40 years in Great Falls and Fairfax, Virginia. They closed their office during the pandemic. Dr. Zeh missed her relationships with her patients so in December 2022 she joined Virginia Pediatric Group.

She is board certified and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. she has one adult daughter. In her free time she loves swimming, working out in the gym, walking, traveling, and crafting. She is also an active member of the Medical Society of Northern Virginia, the Georgetown Clinical Society, and the Greater Washington Allergy and Immunology Society.

Patient Reviews

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“Dr. Zeh is a great and timely doctor.”
- Jennie H.

 

“Dr. Zeh was super personable and engaged all the while working her way through my son's check-up without missing a beat! Commenting as needed and making sure she understood what was needed for the specific appointment!”
- Ginny H.

 

“Dr. Zeh had a motherly quality about her that was reassuring.”
- Cara C.

 

“Dr. Zeh was very kind and caring!! She made us feel very comfortable as she cared for our son. We REALLY appreciated how she explained everything to us. Such a great and knowledgeable doctor!”
- Stephanie O.

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): Fairfax and, Herndon

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, and Herndon, Virginia. Dr. Huynh brings over a decade of experience to the team at Virginia Pediatric Group. 

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

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

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

 

 

Office Location(s): 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.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

Patient Reviews

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Office Location(s): Fairfax, Herndon

Vi Nguyen, MD, FAAP is a pediatrician dedicated to providing comprehensive evidence-based care to patients and their families in Fairfax and Herndon. 

Dr. Vi is a Northern Virginia native, born Washington, DC and raised in Fairfax. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Virginia. She continued with UVA for medical school followed by completion of pediatric residency at Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC.

Dr. Vi takes pride in building strong nurturing relationships with families. She collaborates closely to help make informed choices that are in the best interest of the child's health and wellbeing. 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. Vi enjoys trying local bakeries, exploring local parks, and hanging out on the couch with her family. She currently resides in Fairfax with her husband, young son, and Australian Shepherd. 

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.