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.
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.
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
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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, 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.
