PSV CEO and SRS President Dr. Laurel Blakemore Featured on Premiere Episode of Back Talk During IMAST 2025

Pediatric Specialists of Virginia (PSV) is proud to share that CEO and orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Laurel Blakemore was recently featured on the premiere episode of Back Talk, a new video series by Highridge Medical offering candid conversations and expert perspectives on the spine industry. The episode was filmed on location during the 2025 International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques (IMAST) in Glasgow, Scotland.

Dr. Blakemore, who currently serves as President of the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS), joined Back Talk hosts Rebecca Whitney, CEO of Highridge Medical, and Eric Major, Executive Chairman of the Board at Highridge Medical, for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership in spine care, the latest innovations in scoliosis treatment, and the future of the field.

In the episode titled “Hot Takes on the Spine Industry,” Dr. Blakemore offers her expert insights as both a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon and an international leader in spine research. The discussion touches on trends shaping the spine community, the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, and her experiences navigating leadership roles in a historically male-dominated field.

“It was an honor to speak with Rebecca and Eric and to represent both PSV and the SRS at such an important international gathering,” said Dr. Blakemore. “Conversations like these help shine a light on the exciting advancements happening in spine care and the collaborative spirit driving our field forward.”

Back Talk is a new program that brings together top voices in the spine industry for engaging, unscripted conversations. Through interviews, trending topics, and expert commentary, the series aims to take viewers “under the hood” of spine care and innovation.

The full interview with Dr. Blakemore is available to watch on YouTube: Watch Now

Pediatric Specialists of Virginia (PSV) is proud to announce that 23 of our physicians have been named to Northern Virginia Magazine’s “Top Doctors” list for 2025. This prestigious recognition, featured in the magazine’s February issue, available now, highlights the expertise and commitment of our medical team in delivering exceptional pediatric specialty care.

Each honoree represents PSV’s comprehensive range of pediatric specialties, underscoring the depth of talent and dedication that define our organization. This honor also reflects the hard work and commitment of our entire team to delivering high-quality care for children and families in Northern Virginia and nearby communities.

We are pleased to congratulate the following physicians for this achievement:

Gastroenterology

• Catherine Chao, MD
• Peter Lee, MD
• Ian Leibowitz, MD (Medical Director)
• Natalie Sikka, MD

Hematology & Oncology

• Robin Dulman, MD
• Thomas Newton, MD, FAAP (Medical Director)
• Niccole Piguet, MD
• Elizabeth Yang, MD, PhD

Neurology

• Tarannum Lateef, MD
• William McClintock, MD
• Thanh Nguyen, MD (Medical Director)
• John Schreiber, MD
• Thuy-Anh Vu, MD

Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

• Laurel Blakemore, MD
• Emily Hattwick, MD
• Joseph Letzelter III, MD
• Benjamin Martin, MD

Pulmonology

• James E. Clayton, MD
• Dinesh Pillai, MD
• Iman Sami-Zakhari, MD

Urology

• Daniel Casella, MD
• Hans Pohl, MD
• Rachel Selekman, MD (Medical Director)

This recognition is a testament to the difference we make together, every day, for the patients and families we serve.

About Pediatric Specialists of Virginia
Pediatric Specialists of Virginia (PSV) was collaboratively created by Children’s National Hospital and Inova Health System in 2013 as a pediatric specialty group dedicated to caring for the needs of children in Northern Virginia and surrounding areas. Its mission is to provide superb pediatric specialty care through clinical excellence, innovation, education, research, and family-centered care. As a medical group practice with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, our specialists care for children during hospital stays at Children’s National and Inova Children’s Hospital and throughout their childhood on an ongoing, outpatient basis. Many are recognized as “Top Docs” by Arlington Magazine, Northern Virginia Magazine, and Washingtonian, and have appeared in U.S. News & World Report as leading experts in their fields.

For more information about PSV, please visit: www.psvcare.org.

Pediatric Specialists of Virginia (PSV) proudly celebrates the recognition of 22 exceptional physicians who have been named to Washingtonian magazine’s distinguished “Top Doctors” list for 2024. These physicians represent excellence across each of PSV’s pediatric specialties, highlighting our commitment to advancing pediatric healthcare in Northern Virginia and neighboring communities.

Being named to Washingtonian’s “Top Doctors” list is a prestigious honor that reflects the high standards of care and dedication our physicians provide to PSV patients and their families every day. From orthopaedics and neurology to gastroenterology and urology, each selected physician demonstrates expertise and compassion that truly make a difference in children’s lives.

Congratulations to our 2024 Washingtonian “Top Doctors” honorees! We extend our gratitude to them and to every member of the PSV team, whose commitment to “Making It All Better” has a profound impact on the health and well-being of our community. Thank you for your dedication and exceptional service to Northern Virginia and beyond.

PSV’s 2024 Washingtonian “Top Doctors”:

Gastroenterology

• Catherine Chao, MD
• Ian Leibowitz, MD (Medical Director)
• Otto Louis-Jacques, MD
• Natalie Sikka, MD

Hematology & Oncology

• Robin Dulman, MD
• Thomas Newton, MD (Medical Director)
• Niccole Piguet, MD
• Elizabeth Yang, MD

Neurology

• Tarannum Lateef, MD
• William McClintock, MD
• Thanh Nguyen, MD (Medical Director)
• John Schreiber, MD

Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

• George Gantsoudes, MD
• Emily Hattwick, MD (Medical Director)
• Joseph Letzelter III, MD
• Benjamin Martin, MD

Pulmonology

• James Clayton, MD
• Dinesh Pillai, MD (Medical Director)

Rheumatology

• Tova Ronis, MD

Urology

• Daniel Casella, MD
• Christina Ho, MD
• Hans Pohl, MD
• Rachel Selekman, MD (Medical Director)

 

About Pediatric Specialists of Virginia
Pediatric Specialists of Virginia (PSV) was collaboratively created by Children’s National Hospital and Inova Health System in 2013 as a pediatric specialty group dedicated to caring for the needs of children in Northern Virginia and surrounding areas. Its mission is to provide superb pediatric specialty care through clinical excellence, innovation, education, research, and family-centered care. As a medical group practice with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, our specialists care for children during hospital stays at Children’s National and Inova Children’s Hospital and throughout their childhood on an ongoing, outpatient basis. Many are recognized as “Top Docs” by The Washingtonian, Arlington Magazine, and Northern Virginia Magazine and have appeared in U.S. News & World Report as leading experts in their fields.

For more information about PSV, please visit: www.psvcare.org.

Pediatric Specialists of Virginia (PSV) is delighted to announce that 15 of our physicians have been honored as “Top Doctors” of 2024 by Arlington Magazine in their July/August Health issue.

This recognition highlights the dedication and exceptional efforts of our clinical and administrative teams in providing outstanding pediatric specialty care to the children and families of Northern Virginia and surrounding communities.

The accolade was awarded through an extensive online peer-review survey conducted by Professional Research Services (PRS), which included physicians from Arlington County, Fairfax County, the City of Falls Church, and the City of Alexandria.

We proudly congratulate the following PSV physicians who have been selected for this honor:

Cancer and Blood Disorders

• Thomas Newton, MD
• Niccole Piguet, MD

Gastroenterology

• Catherine Chao, MD
• Peter Lee, MD
• Ian Leibowitz, MD
• Natalie Sikka, MD

Neurology

• Meaghan Kelly, MD
• Thanh Nguyen, MD
• John Schreiber, MD

Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine

• George Gantsoudes, MD
• Emily Hattwick, MD
• Joseph Letzelter III, MD

Pulmonary Medicine

• Dagne Assefa, MD
• James Clayton, MD

Urology

• Rachel Selekman, MD

About Pediatric Specialists of Virginia
Pediatric Specialists of Virginia (PSV) was collaboratively created by Children’s National Hospital and Inova Health System in 2013 as a pediatric specialty group dedicated to caring for the needs of children in Northern Virginia and surrounding areas. Its mission is to provide superb pediatric specialty care through clinical excellence, innovation, education, research, and family-centered care. As a medical group practice with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, our specialists care for children during hospital stays at Children’s National and Inova Children’s Hospital and throughout their childhood on an ongoing, outpatient basis. Many are recognized as “Top Docs” by The Washingtonian, Arlington Magazine, and Northern Virginia Magazine and have appeared in U.S. News & World Report as leading experts in their fields.

For more information about PSV, please visit: www.psvcare.org

Pediatric Specialists of Virginia (PSV) proudly announces the inclusion of 18 physicians in Northern Virginia Magazine‘s “Top Doctors” list for 2024, now available in their February issue.

PSV extends a huge congratulations to our physicians selected for this honor, who represent our Gastroenterology, Hematology/Oncology, Neurology, Orthopaedics, Pulmonology, and Urology specialties.

Our gratitude goes to them and the entire PSV team for their dedication. We deeply appreciate your daily efforts in ‘Making It All Better’!

Congratulations to the following physicians recognized in Northern Virginia Magazine‘s “Top Doctors” list for 2024:

Gastroenterology

• Catherine Chao, MD
• Peter Lee, MD
• Ian Leibowitz, MD
• Otto Louis-Jacques, MD
• Natalie Sikka, MD

Hematology/Oncology

• Robin Dulman, MD
• Thomas Newton, MD
• Niccole Piguet, MD

Neurology

• Tarannum Lateef, MD
• Thanh Nguyen, MD
• Thuy-Anh Vu, MD

Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

• Laurel Blakemore, MD
• Emily Hattwick, MD

Pulmonology

• Dagne Assefa, MD
• James Clayton, MD
• Dinesh Pillai, MD
• Iman Sami-Zakhari, MD

Urology

• Hans Pohl, MD