Virginia Cancer Specialists Named #1 Physician Practice for Cancer Care, and #1 across All Medical Specialties in Virginia, by Castle Connolly, 2025

For the second year running, Virginia Cancer Specialists was named #1 practice in Virginia for having more Castle Connolly top doctors in cancer care and any other medical specialty than any other physician practice in Virginia, in 2025. Castle Connolly top doctors represent the top 7% of all 850,000 U.S. practicing physicians.

FAIRFAX, Va., Feb. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Virginia Cancer Specialists, a respected leader in providing community-based cancer care in Northern VA for more than 50 years, was recognized for a second year running as the #1 physician practice for cancer care and moved up its ranking from #2 to #1 physician practice across all medical specialties in Virginia.

This prestigious recognition speaks to the clinical competence and reputation of honored physicians, as Castle Connolly's evaluation process is considered rigorous and unbiased, led by a physician-driven research team.

Unlike paid listings, this high honor is based on merit alone—physicians cannot buy their way onto the list. Instead, they are selected by their peers, answering one essential question: Who would you trust to care for your own family? The ranking validates not only technical expertise and clinical competence but also a physician's ability to truly connect with patients—an essential quality for delivering exceptional care.

"At Virginia Cancer Specialists, we believe that great medicine is not just about knowledge and skill—it's about treating every patient as if they were our own family," said Dipti Patel-Donnelly, MD, Medical Oncologist, current Practice President, and a Castle Connolly Top Doc since 2012 who sees patients in the Virginia Cancer Specialists' Fairfax location.

"It's not just about being named #1, it's more about reflecting the ethos that drives our practice every day. Our physicians are not only admired within the medical field but also trusted by patients and caregivers who seek the very best care available in a community environment that's close to home. In a healthcare landscape where excellence is defined by both clinical outcomes and human connection, our doctors strive to embody the highest standards of both during every single patient interaction," added Patel.

"This high honor is a testament to our unwavering commitment to always doing what's best for our patients. That remains our top priority and underscores how important it is that we consistently conduct ourselves not just as medical professionals but as considerate, compassionate caregivers," shared Jey A. Maran, MD, Medical Oncologist, and Practice President-Elect, who sees patients in Virginia Cancer Specialists' Bristow and Fauquier locations.

Castle Connolly is a leading research and information resource for patients looking to find and connect with the best healthcare. They provide healthcare consumers with trusted, entirely merit-based lists of top doctors in their local communities and across the country.

Their physician-led team of researchers follows a rigorous screening process to select top doctors on both national and state levels. Robust and unbiased screening of doctors' educational and professional experience is essential before final selection is made. Following peer nomination, Castle Connolly's evaluation includes significant scrutiny of medical education, training, hospital appointments, and professional achievements, as well as focuses on demonstrated excellence in interpersonal skills such as listening, communicating, showing empathy, and earning the trust of patients. When available, Castle Connolly also evaluates outcome and procedure volume data in its research process.

The Virginia Cancer Specialists physicians recognized in 2025 include:

• Harold C. Agbahiwe, MD, Radiation Oncology
• Stephanie Akbari, MD, FACS, (Breast) Surgery
• Ivan Aksentijevich, MD, Medical Oncology
• Christina Brzezniak, DO, Medical Oncology
• Daniel G. Chong, MD, Medical Oncology
• Robert Christie, MD, Medical Oncology
• Ajay Dar, MD, Medical Oncology
• Anne Favret, MD, Medical Oncology
• John Feigert, MD, Medical Oncology
• Elizabeth Feldman, MD, FACS, (Breast) Surgery
• Mitul Gandhi, MD, Medical Oncology
• Jessica Heintz, MD, FAAHPM, Hospice & Palliative Medicine
• Alina M. Huang, MD, Medical Oncology
• Danijela Jelovac, MD, Medical Oncology
• Sandeep J. Khandhar, MD, FACS, Thoracic & Cardiac Surgery
• Jey A. Maran, MD, Medical Oncology
• Robert L. Marsh, MD, Medical Oncology
• Timothy A. McCarthy, MD, Medical Oncology
• Geoffrey D. Moorer, MD, Medical Oncology
• Jacob A. Ninan, MD, Medical Oncology
• Gregory J. Orloff, MD, Medical Oncology
• Dipti Patel-Donnelly, MD, Medical Oncology
• Patricia Rodriguez, MD, Medical Oncology (Retired)
• Amitabha (Amit) Sarma, MD, Medical Oncology
• Gregory S. Sibley, MD, Radiation Oncology
• Muhammad Siddiqui, MD, Palliative Medicine
• Alexander I. Spira, MD, PhD, FACP, FASCO, Medical Oncology
• Hernan Vargas, MD, FACS, (Breast) Surgery
• David Weintritt, MD, FACS, (Breast) Surgery
• Felasfa M. Wodajo, MD, Orthopaedic (Musculoskeletal Tumor) Surgery

About Virginia Cancer Specialists

Virginia Cancer Specialists, the largest private cancer practice in Northern Virginia, was recognized in 2024 and 2025 as the #1 physician practice in Virginia with the most Castle Connolly top doctors in cancer care and across all medical specialties. It features a world-class treatment team fighting cancer and diseases of the blood, offering access to the most current treatment protocols, clinical trials, and comprehensive care. Its fully staffed, comprehensive clinical research program also includes a dedicated research facility for Phase I clinical trials—the Virginia Cancer Specialists Research Institute, the largest of its kind in the Mid-Atlantic region. The practice offers medical oncology, radiation oncology, musculoskeletal tumor surgery, breast surgery, thoracic surgery, genetic counseling, palliative care, oncology nurse navigators, oncology infusion nurses, oncology pharmacists, social workers, dietitians, and laboratory technicians. Virginia Cancer Specialists is part of The US Oncology Network. This collaboration unites the practice with more than 1,400 independent physicians and research and data from thousands of cancer patients in clinical trials across the country. Virginia Cancer Specialists also participates in clinical trials through US Oncology Research, which has played a role in more than 100 FDA-approved cancer therapies. For more information, visit USOncology.com. For more information about Virginia Cancer Specialists, visit: VirginiaCancerSpecialists.com

The Network is supported by McKesson Corporation, a global leader in healthcare solutions.

Media Contact

Jean Dzierzak
Jean.Dzierzak@USOncology.com
703-963-5770

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SOURCE Virginia Cancer Specialists