Ob-Gyn Associates of Advantia, Silver Spring

What is your care philosophy?

Great healthcare is a joint venture between the patient and the doctor, built on a foundation of mutual respect and dialog. I meet so many patients who think that doctors will be dictatorial, but we really listen to patients and respect their wants and needs – I enjoy talking with patients and establishing that foundation with them.
What inspired you to pursue a career in obstetrics and gynecology?

When I started med school, I originally thought I wanted to be a heart surgeon, but I was still open to other specialties and knew that I really enjoyed being in the operating room. I eventually decided on OB-GYN because I realized that I could stay in touch with my patients across many of life’s milestones. I’ve known many of my patients for over 30 years, and they are like family to me.
What improvements to women’s care have you seen since you began practicing medicine?

There have been so many great changes: fetal monitoring and sonogram are more sophisticated, equipment and technology for minimally invasive surgeries are much better, testing for abnormal pap smears and HPV is dramatically better. The vaccine for HPV is amazing.
Are you from the DC area?

We moved around the U.S. some while I was a kid, but I mostly I grew up in Pittsburgh. When I came to the DC area for school, I just fell in love with it here. I enjoy the DC weather, and despite growing up near the Steelers, I’ve enjoyed adopting the Redskins as my football team. I like to root for the underdog!
What is your best advice for new parents?

Give your kids unconditional love even after they turn left when you wanted them to turn right. Being a parent is one of the best things in the world, and being a father may be the best thing. I’m incredibly blessed to have a wonderful wife and beautiful, talented twin daughters. I love being a doctor and a father.
What are your best tips for staying healthy?

Stay away from sugar and stay active. Our girls are grown now, and looking back, I think it was very important that we encouraged them to play sports. It reinforced our values and beliefs in staying fit and healthy.
What distinguishes your practice from others?

Having both newer and more experienced doctors in our practice is really valuable. It facilitates the combination of new ideas with decades of experience, and our patients receive better care because of it. During my residency, I rotated through Holy Cross Hospital and met the founders of this practice. I joined them because I was impressed by the intellectual integrity and also because we have all of the facilities (in our office) to test and gather information quickly. This has continued to be true across the years, and I’m proud to work with the doctors in our practice.
If I wasn’t a doctor, I’d be…?

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a professional football player, but being a doctor is the perfect profession for me. I find it incredibly rewarding, and I go home at the end of the day feeling really good about the work I’ve done and the patients I’ve helped.

Gabriela is a bilingual licensed clinical social worker who is passionate about providing accessible and personalized mental health care. Gabriela is skilled in individual therapy with those who are experiencing an array of mental health needs. She can also provide services in Spanish. Gabriela specializes in perinatal mental health, life transitions, parenting, anxiety and depression. Gabriela uses a person-centered approach, drawing from her experience in attachment and trauma-informed care in community mental health, and working with the underserved populations. Gabriela’s experience includes treating symptoms related to behavioral, social, and emotional issues, as well as trauma. In addition, she also has experience in working with adults addressing issues related to grief and loss, parent-child relationships, immigration/acculturation, and self-esteem.

Gabriela’s background and experience guide and inform her therapy approach with the population she works with now. She incorporates psychodynamic and solution-focused treatment approaches in her work. Gabriela uses warmth, empathy, and humor to create an open, non-judgmental and safe space where clients can feel empowered and supported. Gabriela understands how challenging it can be to find the right therapist and reach out for help. She truly believes that building meaningful connections and relationships can promote healing. Her ultimate goal is to work in collaboration with her clients to identify ways to help them move towards living happier and more fulfilling lives.

Malya Druskin is an experienced licensed clinical social worker skilled in individual, couples and family therapy and works to help clients manage mental health issues and life stressors. Having worked and trained in an inpatient psychiatric hospital and an outpatient mental health clinic, Malya has obtained a well-rounded knowledge in clinical mental health for over 5 years. She specializes in depression, anxiety, grief, self-harm/suicidal ideation, substance abuse, trauma, relationships issues, perinatal mental health and eating disorders. Malya uses multiple modalities in therapy as she believes no treatment should be one size fits all. Malya is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, solution focused and psychodynamic treatment approaches. She is a graduate of University of Maryland School of Social Work and specialized in clinical mental health. Malya makes it a priority to attend continuing education trainings to keep growing in her field.

Malya believes in the importance of a warm, supportive relationship to aid you in your journey towards personal growth and finding hope even in what feels like the darkest times. It can be difficult to ask for help and choosing to seek therapy services will be met with a smile, and an objective and non-judgmental approach to any struggles you bring to the room. Malya works with you to collaborate care, create personal goals for therapy in a safe and compassionate environment and ultimately make lasting life changes.