Russell Libby, MD practices at the Virginia Pediatric Group in Fairfax, VA. Dr. Libby attended medical school at George Washington University and completed his residency at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.

Dr. Richard Mendelsohn enjoys working with patients of all ages on a multitude of foot and ankle conditions. Widely recognized as a specialist in the treatment of sports and dance injuries, he is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, and is certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. In addition, he is a Fellow of the American Society of Podiatric Dermatology and a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association.

Frequently consulted by other physicians for his expertise in the area of sports- and dance-related injuries, he is a clinical advisor and columnist for the American Running and Fitness Association. He was named by the Consumers’ Research Council of America as one of “America’s Top Podiatrists.” Dr. Mendelsohn serves as a consulting podiatrist for numerous professional and amateur sports teams, and appeared on ABC, CBS and NBC news where he spoke about new advances in podiatry.

Dr. Mendelsohn received his undergraduate degree from Emory University in Atlanta and earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Philadelphia’s Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in 1985. He completed his residency in the medical and surgical treatment of the foot and ankle at Cambridge Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts, (an affiliate of the Harvard Medical School).

Married with five children, Dr. Mendelsohn is a passionate hockey fan who enjoys watching and participating in a variety of other sports as well.

Dr. Amir Shahlaee is a graduate of the University of Georgia and the Medical College of Georgia. He trained in Pediatrics at UAB followed by training in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at the Johns Hopkins-NIH Joint Program and Allergy-Immunology at the Medical College of Georgia. He is board-certified in Allergy-Immunology, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and General Pediatrics.

Dr. Shahlaee’s clinical interests involve the care of adult and pediatric patients with allergic and immunologic disorders including asthma. Additionally, Dr. Shahlaee has an extensive academic background and has previously served on the staff at the University of Florida School of Medicine and at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He also has an interest in drug development and clinical trial design and works as a consultant with the pharmaceutical industry.

Dr. Kesen is a clinical researcher with over 15 years of experience both in academic and private practice settings with exceptional commitment to patient care and dedication to clinical research. She specializes in vitreoretinal and inflammatory diseases of the eye. She is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) and is a member of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).

Claudia began her career with MSNVA as Director of Foundation Programs. During her tenure, she was responsible for the planning and development of Project Access of Northern Virginia, a program that delivers pro-bono specialty health care services to low-income, uninsured patients in Fairfax County and Alexandria City. In addition, Claudia serves on a number of boards and committees. In 2008, she was appointed by Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine as trustee of the Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation (currently The Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth) and Board Trustee for the Physicians Foundation. She has a BA in International Relations from DePaul University and certification on Disaster Preparedness and Readiness from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Jeanette is a prominent health policy advocate with over 20 years of experience dedicated to improving health outcomes for underserved communities in the U.S. Before establishing the Organization for Latino Health Advocacy (OLHA), Jeanette founded the Latina Health Collab, a consulting firm aimed at engaging diverse stakeholders in public policy advocacy. Jeanette has held leadership roles in several national nonprofits, including the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), UnidosUS (formerly the National Council of La Raza), the National Consumers League, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Jeanette began her career in the legislative office of the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health, culminating in over a decade of public service in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She serves on the board of directors for the Hispanic Society for Rare Diseases (Sociedad Hispana de Enfermedades Raras) and HealthyWomen. Jeanette holds a Bachelor's degree in political science from California State University, Los Angeles, and a Master's degree in public policy from American University in Washington, D.C.

Fernanda Rojas is a senior Health Administration & Policy student at George Mason University with a concentration in Health Systems Management. She brings hands-on experience in healthcare coordination and is excited to support the Medical Society of Northern Virginia through her internship.

Vinay Bhakthan is a senior at George Mason University majoring in healthcare administration, with an expected graduation date of Spring 2026. He is driven by curiosity and a genuine desire to understand how healthcare advocacy and polices work in practice.

Angela Gray is an undergraduate student pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Health Administration degree at George Mason University. She is also enrolled in the accelerated Master's program in Health System Management with a concentration in Health Quality. With a professional background in finance, banking, healthcare, and human resources and employee benefits, she provides valuable insight into organizational operations, communication, and service delivery. Through this internship, she is excited to expand her knowledge of the legislative process and advocacy. Angela believes healthcare administration extends beyond hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities. Strong policy and advocacy efforts are essential to improving access to care and creating meaningful, lasting change within healthcare systems.

Shreeyukti Rana is a MS, Health Informatics graduate student at George Mason University passionate about leveraging data to improve healthcare systems and patient experiences. With a background in public health, analytics and mentorship, she enjoys translating complex information into practical, human-centered solutions that support both providers and communities, while advancing health equity and accessibility. In her free time, she enjoys journaling, exploring new cafés, and being outdoors.

Ngoc Pham is currently pursuing studies in Health Informatics at GMU, with a focus on improving healthcare delivery through technology and data. Ngoc is passionate about professional engagement, collaboration, and contributing to MSNVA, which supports growth within the healthcare field.

Tehreem Aasim is a health informatics major at George Mason University, with a strong interest in enhancing healthcare delivery using technology and data-driven solutions. She is passionate about professional involvement, teamwork, and contributing to MSNVA.

Nicole Neuenschwander is an undergraduate student at George Mason University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Health Administration with a concentration in Health Systems Management. She is passionate about healthcare management, policy, and improving access to high-quality care for patients and providers alike. She brings a strong interest in healthcare systems, professional advocacy, and effective health communication, and is eager to gain hands-on experience in medical practice management and healthcare leadership.

Emma Schulman is an undergraduate student at George Mason University studying Health Administration with a concentration in Health Systems Management. She is passionate about healthcare management and improving healthcare delivery through effective communication and outreach. She brings a lot of curiosity and open-mindedness to learning new skills and is very excited to be doing her internship with MSNVA.