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.
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, Herndon, and Aldie, 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.
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.
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.
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
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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
“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.
Vi Nguyen, MD, 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.
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.
Jennifer Jenks, CPNP-BC, is a board-certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner specializing in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine and Gastroenterology at Advanced Pediatrics. Since opening their doors in 2001, the private pediatric practice has earned an exemplary reputation for excellence in pediatric care in Vienna, Virginia, and throughout the National Capital Region.
She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master’s in Nursing (MSN) at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.
Jennifer previously worked at Riley's Children's Hospital in Indianapolis, Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, DC, and in a specialized pediatric gastroenterology clinic.
Her clinical interests encompass all aspects of pediatric care from newborn to adolescence. She has a special interest in infant reflux and feeding issues, allergic colitis, chronic constipation, and other gastroenterological conditions.
Jennifer lives in Vienna, Virginia, with her husband and three children. She loves spending time with her three children, exercising, and traveling to the beach.
Isabel Jander, MD, is a Doctor of Medicine specializing in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at Advanced Pediatrics. Since opening their doors in 2001, the private pediatric practice has earned an exemplary reputation for excellence in pediatric care in Vienna, Virginia, and throughout the National Capital Region.
She received her B.S. from Georgetown University in Washington, DC. She completed medical school at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) and residency in New York City at Cohen Children's Medical Center (Cohen's Children's Hospital) in Queens, New York.
Dr. Jander comes to Advanced Pediatrics with more than 18 years of experience as a Primary Care Pediatrician. She was named to Washingtonian's Top Doctors each year from 2015 to 2020. She is fluent in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French.
Her clinical interests encompass all aspects of pediatric care from newborn to adolescence. She has special interests in acute illness management and newborn care.
She is board-certified in Pediatric Medicine and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Dr. Jander lives with her husband and three children in McLean, Virginia.
Pegah Pirowski, FNP-BC, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at Advanced Pediatrics. Since opening their doors in 2001, the private pediatric practice has earned an exemplary reputation for excellence in pediatric care in Vienna, Virginia, and throughout the National Capital Region.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Villanova University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a Masters in Family Medicine from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia.
Pegah has worked in the adult medical ICU and pediatric clinics affiliated with Georgetown University Hospital and INOVA. She is board-certified in Family Medicine and a certified instructor of the COPE program, a cognitive behavioral therapy curriculum to help school-aged children with anxiety.
Her clinical interests encompass all aspects of pediatric care from newborn to adolescence. Her particular interests include asthma management, constipation management, as well as anxiety and mental health related issues.
Pegah was born and raised in NoVA. She lives in Vienna with her husband and three children. She has a large extended family in the area who she loves spending time with. She enjoys cooking, reading, and is attempting to learn tennis and golf! She speaks English, Spanish, and Farsi.
Christina Ulen, MD, is a Doctor of Medicine specializing in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at Advanced Pediatrics. Since opening their doors in 2001, the private pediatric practice has earned an exemplary reputation for excellence in pediatric care in Vienna, Virginia, and throughout the National Capital Region.
She received her Bachelor of Arts in Math and Economics from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, which is ranked among the most prestigious academic institutions in the world.
She worked at the Brookings Institution and the World Bank Group before completing medical school at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and her Residency in Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
Dr. Ulen is board-certified in Pediatric Medicine and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). She speaks English and Spanish.
Her clinical interests encompass all aspects of pediatric care from newborn to adolescence. She has special interests in acute illness management as well as behavior and child development.
Dr. Ulen lives in Vienna, Virginia, with her husband and two daughters. She loves spending time with her daughters and being outdoors.
Mindy Stern, MD, is a skilled pediatrician at Advanced Pediatrics in Vienna, Virginia. She brings over 25 years of experience in pediatric care to the practice. She is board-certified in Pediatric Medicine and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
A graduate of the prestigious Inteflex program at the University of Michigan, Dr. Stern earned both a Bachelor of Science in biomedical science and a Doctor of Medicine through this combined pathway. She completed her pediatric residency at Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center. Dr. Stern was previously the Medical Director and a pediatric provider at Whole Child Pediatrics in Ashburn, Virginia.
Dr. Stern has a special interest in ADHD medical therapy. She works with families to create an individualized treatment plan that integrates medication management with behavioral strategies.
She has been selected by her peers as both a Washingtonian and Northern Virginia Magazine’ Top Doctor’ for her exceptional patient care. Dr. Stern and her husband live in Vienna, where they have raised their two daughters.
She enjoys cooking, playing tennis, and traveling in her free time.
Jennifer Woodley, CFNP, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner at Advanced Pediatrics.
Since opening its doors in 2001, the private pediatric practice has earned an exemplary reputation for excellence in pediatric care in Vienna, Virginia, and throughout the National Capital Region.
Jennifer earned her first bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from James Madison University, where she researched infectious diseases for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). While working at the NIH in research, Jennifer was called to want to work more closely with patients, and she returned to school, earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Shenandoah University. Continuing her education, Jennifer received her Master’s in Nursing (MSN) with an emphasis as a family nurse practitioner.
Jennifer has worked as a nurse in the NICU at INOVA Fairfax Hospital and has eight years of outpatient pediatric experience in offices throughout Northern Virginia.
Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys hiking local trails, relaxing at the beach, reading, and going to sporting events with her nephews and nieces.
Mary Meyer, MD, specializes in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at Advanced Pediatrics. Since opening its doors in 2001, the private pediatric practice has earned an exemplary reputation for excellence in pediatric care in Vienna, Virginia, and throughout the National Capital Region.
Dr. Meyer was born and raised in Northern California. She first ventured to the Washington, D.C. area as a researcher at the National Institutes of Health. Shortly after, Dr. Meyer attended medical school at Loma Linda University in Southern California. She then completed her residency at Inova Children's Hospital in Fairfax, Virginia.
Dr. Meyer is board-certified in Pediatric Medicine and is a certified Lactation Consultant. Her clinical interests include all aspects of pediatric care from newborn to adolescence, and she has a special interest in breastfeeding.
Dr. Meyer lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and child. She enjoys board games, hiking, and rock climbing in her spare time.
Dr. Meyer looks forward to welcoming new and existing patients at Advanced Pediatrics.
Dr. Smith lives in Vienna, VA after recently relocating from Boston. He received a BA in Chemistry and a BS in Brain and Cognitive Science from University of Rochester and completed his medical training at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse.
He then completed his pediatric residency training at Duke University. Following residency, Dr. Smith worked as an Assistant Professor in Pediatrics at Tufts University & adjunct faculty at Boston Children's Hospital prior to joining AP. He also works in the Children's National Hospital network as a Pediatric Hospitalist. He is a board certified pediatrician, a certified lactation consultant, & a member of the American Medical Association.
He has special interest in the transitions of pediatric medical care & medically complex pediatric patients. Outside of the office, you will find Dr. Smith outdoors on a hiking trail or a volleyball court!
