17 PSV Physicians Selected to Washingtonian’s “Top Doctors” of 2023 List

Washingtonian Top DoctorsPediatric Specialists of Virginia (PSV) is excited to announce that 17 of our physicians were selected to Washingtonian magazine’s esteemed “Top Doctors” list for 2023. These 17 remarkable physicians selected represent each of PSV’s pediatric specialties. This prestigious honor showcases their exceptional contributions, affirming our dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of children and families across Northern Virginia and nearby communities.

Congratulations to all the outstanding physicians selected! We extend our gratitude to them and the entire organization for their commitment to the children and families of Northern Virginia and surrounding communities. Thank you for ‘Making It All Better’ every day!

 

 

PSV’s 2023 Washingtonian “Top Doctors” Recipients:

Gastroenterology
Catherine Chao, MD
Peter Lee, MD
Ian Leibowitz, MD
Otto Louis-Jacques, MD

Hematology/Oncology
Robin Dulman, MD
Niccole Piguet, MD

Neurology
Tarannum Lateef, MD
Thanh Nguyen, MD

Orthopaedics
George Gantsoudes, MD
Joseph Letzelter III, MD
Meryl Ludwig, MD
Benjamin Martin, MD

Pulmonology
James Clayton, MD
Dinesh Pillai, MD

Urology
Daniel Casella, MD
Hans Pohl, MD
Rachel Selekman, MD

Pediatric Specialists of Virginia Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans as we celebrate heritage rooted in all Latin American countries. At Pediatric Specialists of Virginia (PSV), we are taking part in this year’s National Hispanic Heritage Month celebration by spotlighting some of our dedicated and talented team members—get to know them below and be sure to say hello when making your visit to PSV!

Lillian MartinezLillian Martinez
Interpreter/Patient Services Representative (PSR), Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders (CCBD)

My name is Lillian Martinez, and I am an Interpreter/Patient Service Representative (PSR) at PSV’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders (CCBD). I have two adult kids and a grandson. My children are my inspiration. Being a young, single mom sometimes put my kids into the stereotype of those that would have a difficult time achieving success. But I worked hard and got them both through college. After my youngest graduated, I then decided to take my turn. This December, I will be getting a bachelor’s degree! I’ve learned that there is no such thing as “too late.”

My favorite part about PSV is the opportunity it gives me to work with pediatric patients, who I have enjoyed working with since starting in healthcare. I love seeing the smiles on children’s faces, which is what prompted me to get our work pet Goku the Betta Fish. Kids frequently stop by my desk just to see Goku swimming. Outside of PSV, my hobbies include hiking, going out dancing, and travel.

Hispanic Heritage Month (and every other heritage celebration) mean to be proud of who you are. I was born and raised in the United States, but I am still fluent in both languages. Being an interpreter at CCBD, I have learned so much about different cancers and blood disorders, their treatments, and side effects. I am one of those people who also watches the TLC TV show “Dr. Pimple Popper,” so learning all this stuff is awesome. I also serve as a liaison for Spanish-speaking families when it comes to insurance or patient issues. They are happy to know that there are people at PSV that can help them communicate their needs.

Mary GarciaMary Garcia
Human Resources Generalist

I was born and raised in Virginia. My parents, however, immigrated from Honduras in the late 80’s. It always felt like I was living in two separate worlds. Growing up, we only spoke Spanish at home, ate every meal my mom cooked for us, and celebrated our traditions. Outside of home, everything was in English, and we focused on learning the American lifestyle. The two cultures would clash from time to time, but I see how they came together as well. Even now, my worlds still come together. For example, I consider myself very Americanized, though I married a Honduran man. Every day we see our backgrounds come together and I wouldn’t change anything about it.

I like working at PSV because of the people. Everyone here is very nice, and I love the different cultures and personalities everyone has.

I love spending time with my husband, my family, and my border collie. From an early age I was taught that family is everything, so I spend as much time as possible with my mom, my dad, and my siblings.

My dad is my biggest inspiration. He came to the United States knowing little about the country or the language. He worked many jobs during the late 80’s, all while facing frequent discrimination. He has told me stories about working for a contractor and after four weeks, did not get paid a single dollar. After I was born, he finally got a stable job as a cobbler and worked at two different businesses for 28 years. During the pandemic, my dad lost one of his jobs when the owner decided to close and move to another state. The other owner decided it was time to retire. My dad wasn’t sure what his next move would be, but he knew it had to be a bold one. So, he decided to buy the shoe shop in Great Falls, VA, becoming the owner of business he had worked at for 28 years! He has been running the business successfully for two years now and has a wonderful clientele. His shop was even featured in Northern Virginia Magazine, winning runner up for Shoe Repair in their 2022 “Best of” issue. My dad knows no limits. He believes if put your mind, heart, and all your strength into you what you really want in life, it can be achieved.

To me, Hispanic Heritage Month means bringing a diverse group of people together. There are 33 countries in Latin America, and they all speak Spanish slightly different, have different ways of preparing food, and have different beats to their music, but they always care about one another. They are always united and that speaks to how we work. We should care about one another and always offer to help whenever possible.

Stephanie AvilaStephanie Avila
Registered Nurse, Ambulatory Surgery Center

I am Stephanie Avila and I have been a pediatric nurse for 10 years. I am married with have three kids. My husband and I came to the United States as children. I was born in El Salvador and my husband in Mexico.

My parents are an inspiration to me, having watched them work hard and overcome countless obstacles in a new country. During the start of the pandemic, my husband and I began cooking at home frequently to avoid eating out. We are major foodies, but our favorite food is tacos. This led us to create a family business specializing in street tacos. Fast forward three years, we now have a taco stand at the Washington Commanders’ stadium, which is open during their home games, and we provide catering services. When I am not selling tacos, I am a PRN at PSV. I enjoy working at PSV because I am part of a team that truly cares for our pediatric patients and families. Apart from providing medical care, the providers and staff at PSV always go the extra mile. My favorite memory at PSV was our Thanksgiving donation drive for low-income families. The PSV team donated a Thanksgiving meal, toys, and clothing to these families. It was heartwarming to see everyone participate, and the families were so appreciative!

Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of the diverse cultures of Latin America. My culture has shaped me as a person and as a nurse. It has given me a strong sense of family, an appreciation for different cultures, and ability to relate to people of various backgrounds.

Jocelyn Bermudez
Orthopaedics Clinical Supervisor

My name is Jocelyn Bermudez, and I am the Orthopaedics Clinical Supervisor at PSV. I’ve been with PSV since 2020 where I started my journey as a multidisciplinary nurse. My favorite memory here is the 2022 PSV Gala. I loved being able to dress up and take a moment to interact with everyone outside of work.

I love to play volleyball and participate in other outdoor activities. I also enjoy playing the piano and exploring new coffee shops and bakeries. One unique thing about me is that I am an only child.

My mother is my biggest inspiration. She came to the United States from Nicaragua and established herself here alone. She worked so hard so that I could have a better life and that is something I will always be thankful for!

Hispanic Heritage month is significant to me because it is a time we can all come together and celebrate different cultures as one.

8 PSV Physicians Named to Arlington Magazine’s Top Doctors of 2023 List

Pediatric Specialists of Virginia (PSV) proudly announces that 8 of our physicians have been recognized as “Top Doctors” of 2023 by Arlington Magazine in their July/August 2023 Health issue.

This achievement stands as a testament to the dedication and tireless efforts of our clinical and administrative staff, who work tirelessly to fulfill our mission of delivering the best pediatric specialty care possible to the children and families of Northern Virginia and neighboring communities.

The selection process for this prestigious accolade involved an online peer-review survey conducted by Professional Research Services (PRS), encompassing physicians in Arlington County, Fairfax County, the City of Falls Church, and the City of Alexandria.

We congratulate the following PSV physicians that were selected for this honor:

Gastroenterology

Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine

Neurology

Pulmonary Medicine

Urology

PSV Celebrates Women’s History Month: Leadership Profile Video Series

This week, Pediatric Specialists of Virginia (PSV) celebrates Women’s History Month with the new Leadership Profile Series, featuring conversations with some of our remarkable women in leadership roles at PSV. Each day throughout the week, we will feature a new video on this page.

Episode #4 of PSV’s Leadership Profile Series features a conversation with PSV’s Medical Director of Psychology, Dr. Kendra Lubarsky.

In Episode #3 of PSV’s Leadership Profile Series, we chat with Peggy Harris, PSV’s Chief Financial Officer.  

Episode #2 of PSV’s Leadership Profile Series features a discussion with PSV’s Medical Director of Neurology, Dr. Thanh Nguyen.

In Episode #1 of PSV’s Leadership Profile Series, we sit down for a conversation with PSV’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Laurel Blakemore.

Thank a PSV Doctor in Celebration of National Doctor’s Day

Please join Pediatric Specialists of Virginia in celebrating National Doctor’s Day on March 30, 2023. In recognition of the dedication, compassion, and top-notch pediatric specialty care our physician team provides to every child we see, we are inviting our patients, families, and our community to “Share their Care” stories.

Now through March 30, please consider filling out a Thank You card in one of our clinics during your next in-person visit, fill out a virtual Thank You card, or tag us on social media (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter) and let your doctor know just how amazing they are.

We hope you will join us in showing gratitude to our wonderful doctors who work tirelessly to Make It All Better.