Editor Pick
Community Health Care
Arlington Free Clinic
What started in 1994 as a small walk-in clinic treating mostly minor cuts, bruises and stuffy noses is now a critical thread in Arlington’s safety net—providing free, comprehensive medical and dental care and an on-site pharmacy to low-income, uninsured county residents. During the free clinic’s last fiscal year, its volunteers delivered more than $3.5 million in pro bono care, from vaccines and breast cancer screenings to dental exams, physical therapy, mental health services and education around managing chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. That included 3,196 primary and specialty care visits, 1,096 specialist referrals, 557 mental health visits, 972 dental appointments and more than 2,175 case management meetings to coordinate medical care with social services. –Jenny Sullivan
Reader Pick
Gastroenterologist
Pradeep Gupta
A product of local universities—American, Howard and Georgetown—Pradeep Gupta is one of five physicians at the Gastroenterology Center of Northern Virginia. “We do the vast majority—virtually 99%—of the inpatient service” at Virginia Hospital Center, he explains, where he is also medical director of the hospital’s gastrointestinal unit. A “procedure guy,” Gupta performs 10 to 20 procedures a day, from routine screening colonoscopies to endoscopic ultrasounds that diagnose and stage tumors. He says he was drawn to the field because it deals with many organs: “You really have to understand physiology as well as anatomy.” The most common ailment he treats is acid reflux—which, he assures patients, can usually ease with dietary and lifestyle changes. –Stephanie Kanowitz
Other top vote-getters:
Gabriel Herman, Diego Kuperschmit, Leonardo Mendez, Rachana Potru, Martin Prosky, Truc Trinh
Reader Pick
Physical Therapy
Advanced Kinetics Physical Therapy and Sports Performance
Crowned as America’s “fittest city,” Arlington has held the top spot in a nationwide fitness index compiled by the Anthem Foundation and the American College of Sports Medicine for four years running. So it’s no surprise that physical therapy is in high demand here, says Angela Gordon, who cofounded Advanced Kinetics with Kwang Han in 2015. Both previously worked with the Washington Nationals organization and have expertise in treating repetitive stress injuries—particularly those stemming from overhead motions like pitching, throwing, swimming and serving. But their practice isn’t solely focused on PT. Other services include personal training, injury prevention and dry needling. “We really try to look at the root cause of where the pain is coming from,” says Gordon, an avid cyclist and runner. “Our goal is not only to [help athletes] get better, but we want to make this a lasting change.” –Stephanie Kanowitz
Other top vote-getters:
Bodies in Motion, Body Dynamics, Capitol Rehab of Arlington, Select Physical Therapy, Source Physical Therapy & Wellness, Virginia Sportsmedicine Institute
Reader Pick
Cosmetic Surgeon
Advanced Plastic Surgery Center
Other top vote-getters:
Austin-Weston, Center for Plastic Surgery, McLean Plastic Surgery, Mesbahi Plastic Surgery
Reader Pick
Dermatologist
Courtney Herbert
Other top vote-getters:
Aaron Fuchs, Isabela Jones, Gayle Masri-Fridling, Michelle Rivera, SkinDC, Lily Talakoub, Marjan Yousefi
Reader Pick
Dentist
Stephen Mabry
Other top vote-getters:
Ray Cho, Mary Gregory, Manisha Grover, Karen Harriman, Greg LaVecchia, William Lessne, Adam Roca, Michael Rogers, Jeffrey Sisel, Kristen Bowling Williams
Reader Pick
Orthodontist
Hani Thariani
Other top vote-getters:
Scott Berman, Harold Frank, Darin Iverson, Luposello & Marzban, Crissy Markova, Deirdre Maull
Reader Pick
Orthopedic Surgeon
David Romness
Other top vote-getters:
Christopher Annunziata, Anthony Avery, Matthew Buchanan, Steven Danaceau, Ronald Paik, Kevin Sumida, Clay Wellborn
Reader Pick
Child Therapist
Child & Family Associates of Greater Washington
Other top vote-getters:
Amare Counseling and Education, Marin Psychology Associates, Catherine McCarthy, Christina Tripodi Mitchell, Sunstone Counseling