Find a Top Pediatrician Near Me in Towson, MD – Book an Appointment Instantly

Laurel Pediatric and Teen Medical Center is proud to announce that Dr. Ugonma (Ugo) Harriet Okparaocha has joined our practice. She is now available to see patients from newborn to age 20. 
 
Dr. Ugo is a graduate of University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria. She completed her residency training in Pediatrics at Brookdale University Hospital in Brooklyn New York. She has been in medical practice for more than 20 years. She is Board certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics. 
 
She has worked in several clinical settings, including primary Pediatric care at the Appalachian Clinic located in Hazard, Kentucky, and various primary pediatric clinics in Maryland. She affiliated with University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center. She is also currently one of the hospitalists rendering inpatient Pediatric care at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air, Maryland.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

Amita DeSouza, MD, of Abdow Friendship Pediatrics in Rockville, Maryland, is a caring and compassionate board-certified pediatrician and pediatric endocrinologist. Patients appreciate her warm and personable nature and the time she takes to truly get to know those in her care. 

Education is a central part of Dr. DeSouza’s life. She began her studies at the University of Rochester in New York, where she studied neuroscience. She went on to complete medical school at the University of Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in New York before completing her internship and residency at the University of Maryland in Baltimore. 

Dr. DeSouza also completed fellowship training in pediatric endocrinology through New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. She continues to seek opportunities to expand her skills and knowledge through continuing education and seminars. 

Working with children is a calling. Dr. DeSouza finds it incredibly rewarding to assist children and their families in building a strong foundation for a lifetime of great health and wellness. Many families wouldn’t consider entrusting their child’s care to anyone else. 

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. 

Office Location(s): Herndon and Great Falls

Other languages spoken: Farsi (fluent), Dari (fluent), Urdu/Hindi (fluent), Arabic (basic fluency), French (basic fluency)

Other services offered: Habib Complementary and Integrative Medicine

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

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“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.

 

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): 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.