Top Pediatricians in District of Columbia
Nothing I have ever encountered strikes fear into my heart like an injured or sick child. I am reasonably sure that all other parents out there feel the same way. I am sure you don’t want to just trust any doctor in District of Columbia with your children. You also likely are not willing to go through any trial and error with one of your own children as you would be willing to go through to find your own doctor.
A pediatrician is going to have to click with you and gain your trust before they see your child and I feel exactly the same way. Unlike many of our service listings, you do not want to wait to find a pediatrician until an emergency strikes. You want to have them on speed dial long before that. So now is the perfect time to use our District of Columbia are list of top recommended pediatricians and start interviewing them. Find the one who you would trust with your children. Don’t forget that people change over time and that can apply to not only your doctors but also your pediatricians. If any of our District of Columbia doctors have declined in their performance, please let us know! It is vital that we keep the below list updated with only the doctors that will care for your children as if they were their own. It is also a great idea to establish a pediatrician for short term work conditions even if they last less than a year. So if you will be stationed somewhere else, start researching area pediatricians now so you are as prepared as possible.
Agnieszka Pluta, MD, PhD, FAAP
Washington, DC
Dr. Agnieszka Pluta is currently an Assistant Professor from the Division of Gastroenterology and Department of Pediatrics in MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. She graduated from Warsaw Academy of Medicine in 1977 and is currently specializing in Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition.
Lara J. Akinbami, MD
Washington, DC
Dr. Lara J. Akinbami completed her MD from the State University of New York at Buffalo and her residency program in pediatrics at Children’s National Medical Center. She is currently part of the Children’s National Medical Center where she specializes in Teenage Pregnancy.
Marjorie B. McKnight, M.D.
Washington , DC
Dr. McKnight is a native Washingtonian and graduate of Howard University and George Washington University Medical School. She has practiced pediatrics in Washington, DC since 1986. While practicing general pediatrics, her passion lies in wellness and disease prevention.
Promise Ahlstrom, MD, FAAP
Washington, DC
Joanna M. Sexter, MD, FAAP
Washington , DC
Dr. Sexter is a board-certified pediatrician and has been in private practice in Washington, DC since 2000. Her practice philosophy emphasizes preventive medicine and health maintenance through education, physical examination and immunizations. Dr. Sexter is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the DC Osler Medical Society. She continues to be recognized as one of The Washingtonian Magazine’s Top Doctors in Pediatrics. Dr. Sexter is a member of the medical staff at Sibley Memorial Hospital and Children’s Hospital.
Francis M. Palumbo, MD, FAAP
Washington, DC
Dr. Francis Palumbo served as the Director of Georgetown’s Children & Youth Ambulatory Services for 10 years before entering private practice. He is currently part of the Spring Valley Pediatrics team and he was recently named “Doctor of the Year” by the Georgetown Clinical Society as well.
Dr. Nicole V. Lang
Washington, DC
Dr. Nicole V. Lang is well-known for being the President and CEO of Washington Pediatric Associates. She received her MD degree from the George Washington University Medical School and completed her pediatric residency training at Emory University.
Caroline Van Vleck, MD
Washington , DC
Dr. Van Vleck is an American Board of Pediatrics certified pediatrician and has been practicing with Spring Valley Pediatrics since 1994. She took a one-year leave of absence to live abroad in Africa with her family and to volunteer at an orphanage in Koforidua, Ghana. She enjoys every aspect of general pediatrics and has an additional interest in travel medicine.
Howard J. Bennett, MD, FAAP
Washington, DC
Dr. Bennett spent the first ten years of his professional career in academic medicine, teaching and practicing primary care pediatrics. He was the director of pediatric education during his academic tenure and received the first Outstanding Teacher Award given in his department. He joined Chevy Chase Pediatrics in 1991, but has continued his academic affiliations. He is currently a clinical professor of pediatrics at GW.
Laurie Banach, MD
Washington, DC
Dr. Banach, completed her pediatric residency at Children’s National Health System in 2004. She has worked for children ever since, both as a pediatric hospitalist and as a primary care provider for the Montgomery County School-Based Health Centers prior to joining Children’s Pediatricians & Associates in 2017. She enjoys taking care of children from birth through adolescence.
