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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.

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. 

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. 

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): 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.

 

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): 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 and Herndon

Other languages spoken: French (proficient)

 

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

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“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.

Office Location(s): primarily Fairfax

Other languages spoken: Amharic

Edom Endale Genemo, MD, is a dedicated pediatrician. She provides compassionate and expert care to patients at Virginia Pediatric Group at the Fairfax, Virginia, location. Born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Dr. Genemo is fluent in Amharic. She moved to Virginia before high school and completed her medical education at the American University of Antigua College of Medicine. 

Dr. Genemo earned her bachelor's degree from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, and completed her pediatric residency at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore in 2024. She is committed to providing the best care possible and takes the time to really listen to her patients. 

Outside of her medical practice, Dr. Genemo enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, traveling, and exploring new cuisines. She currently resides in Fort Washington, Maryland, with her husband.

For expert pediatric care with a personal touch, Dr. Genemo offers a unique blend of cultural insight and professional expertise.

Office Location(s): Fairfax

Omar Jaber, MD, MPH, is a highly accomplished pediatrician with extensive training and a passion for global health. He works at Virginia Pediatric Group at the Fairfax office. 

Dr. Jaber earned his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Barbados and completed his pediatrics residency at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. He then specialized in academic general pediatrics through a fellowship at Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and completed a master's degree in public health from the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston.

An award-winning care provider, Dr. Jaber received the Huda Al Masri Humanitarian Award and the Arnold P. Gold Humanism Award for his outstanding contributions. He has published work in the Houston Chronicle and is featured in health blogs from Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine. 

Dr. Jaber actively volunteers on international medical missions and supports non-profits bringing medical care to children worldwide. 

Office Location(s): Fairfax

Other languages spoken: Spanish (proficient)

 

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.