Capital Area Pediatrics – The First Two Years of Your Child’s Life

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At CAP Pediatrician Associates (CAPPA), we understand the first few years are crucial in your child’s growth and development, so your CAP pediatrician will be there every step of the way to support him or her.

Dr. Hong joined CAP in 2011 and enjoys all aspects of pediatric care – especially newborn care!

Newborn Care

Starting life right is vital for infants, and CAP is here to support every stage of development for your little one. Our experienced team of board-certified pediatricians is on hand to ensure they remain healthy, safe, and content; plus, we offer specialty and chronic care services to address any underlying medical concerns.

Elizabeth Watts, MD – Dr. Watts joined CAP’s Vienna office in 1988 and quickly became part of our extended family. She earned a medical degree from the University of Virginia before completing her pediatric residency at the University of Florida. She took on additional roles with CAP, such as CEO/ Medical Director responsibilities.

Amy Pierce, MD – As a staff pediatrician, Amy has been part of the CAP Falls Church location team for over ten years. After completing her pediatric residency at Children’s National Medical Center, she earned board certification and special interests in asthma management, foreign adoptions, and childhood obesity.

Leina Wahba, MD – Dr. Wahba has been part of the CAP team since 2011. Before that, she worked at Franconia Pediatrics and Family Center in Alexandria, VA, before spending one year as part of their neonatal care unit at Washington Adventist Hospital Takoma Park, MD, neonatal unit. Additionally, she holds board certification for pediatrics and fluency in English, Telugu, Hindi, and Urdu.

Swathi Burgula, MD – Born and raised in India, Dr. Burgula has always been inspired by her aunt, who works in pediatrics. She feels honored to join CAP’s family and loves all aspects of pediatrics–particularly newborn care! When not practicing pediatrics or traveling for business purposes, Dr. Burgula loves trying new restaurants or recipes!

At our Vienna location, wheelchair and stroller accessibility is not an issue. Patients love that they can be seen quickly and conveniently without waiting times; on-site parking also proves invaluable for busy parents!

School Physicals

As your children age, they may wish to participate in various sports and extracurricular activities. For this to occur, however, a physical exam must be completed, proving they are healthy enough for such participation. At our Ryan Park / Ashburn pediatrician offices, we are happy to provide this exam service so your kids can remain active while socializing with other children of their age group.

Additionally, our pediatricians are adept at identifying mental disorders among teens. This allows your child to get the care needed for any behavioral issues, and treatable matters can often be complicated when your child is an adolescent.

As a parent, you want the best for your children. From their education to our Sleepy Hollow / Ashburn pediatrician offices in Virginia – which offer top schools – your children can reach their full potential and thrive within productive learning environments.

Our doctors and nurse practitioners are committed to making life as stress-free for you as possible for your children. We offer a patient-friendly portal that allows non-urgent inquiries to our providers anytime – day or night. Furthermore, we’re here for emergencies such as accidents or injuries should they arise.

Dr. Edward Morris, MD, FAAP, joined Capital Area Pediatrics’ Vienna office when he completed his residency at the University of Virginia. Before that, he earned both his medical and undergraduate degrees at New York University, receiving both in 1994.

Leina Wahba, MD, joined Vienna Pediatrics of Capital Area Pediatrics in 2011 after spending six years running her private practice. With an impressive dedication to community health, she has worked as a youth counselor for nonprofit organizations and served as assistant cub master and den leader with Boy Scouts of America. Additionally, Leina served as President and CEO of a pediatric foundation.

Cold and Flu Season

Cold and flu season can be difficult for families, with symptoms that leave kids miserable. To limit the spreading of viruses, avoiding close contact with infected individuals and staying home while sick may help prevent its spread. Vaccinations may also help, along with frequent handwashing and covering one’s nose when coughing or sneezing are effective strategies.

Flu is a serious illness that can result in hospitalization or even death in severe cases. Unlike colds, flu tends to be more serious and caused by specific viruses, so seeking professional advice as soon as possible is vital for receiving accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatments.

Flu symptoms typically include fever, sore throat, and body aches; children may also have vomiting and headache. Flu symptoms usually begin in the upper respiratory tract but can spread downward into the lower respiratory tract, particularly for young children and adults over 65.

Although influenza virus infections occur year-round, their activity increases significantly during fall and winter due to various factors. Colder weather forces people closer together indoors as people stay inside more. Furthermore, flu viruses survive better with lower humidity conditions.

Although it’s impossible to know precisely when flu season will start, you can keep up-to-date by following local news outlets and the CDC websites for updates. When these sources have recorded significant influenza infections, flu season will officially have kicked off and declared by them as such.

Sports Physicals

If your child plans on participating in any sports activities this year, a PPE (preparticipation physical examination) is crucial for their safety and can help protect against serious injuries. Our Ryan Park/Ashburn office provides PPEs specifically tailored for kids and teenagers.

Your family can rely on Capital Area Pediatrics, with five locations across Northern Virginia, to provide all the services they require for optimal child health throughout the year. Whether they reside in Herndon or Vienna, CAP physicians provide all-year-long support to keep children happy and healthy.

Telemedicine services at this practice also offer convenient communication between families and healthcare providers. Telemedicine allows patients to speak directly with their pediatrician or physician from the convenience of their own homes to receive advice on treating illness – saving families a trip to the clinic and helping reduce germ spread.

Herndon office of CAP boasts highly qualified pediatricians who are adept in diagnosing and treating many childhood illnesses and managing chronic ones such as asthma or allergies. Furthermore, they possess extensive expertise in assessing developmental milestones and diagnosing behavioral or emotional concerns in children.

Pamela Barstow, RN, is a family nurse practitioner at Herndon CAP office. She has been with them for five years and enjoys building relationships with her patients. She specializes in adolescent health, particularly in mental health and teen gynecological care for adolescents. As the spouse of military servicemen, she understands continuity of care is of utmost importance and strives to deliver an unparalleled patient experience for all her clients.

Dr. Sharon Lee Hong joined the Herndon CAP office team in 2011. She is board-certified in pediatrics, receiving her medical degree from Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. Dr. Hong enjoys spending time with family, hiking, and attending live music performances; currently living in Herndon with her husband and daughter while providing gymnastics and swimming lessons for her daughter and spending time at the beach.