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8 of PMA’s Own Providers in the Washingtonian Top Doctors Hall of Fame
These 8 PMA providers have earned a spot in the Washingtonian’s Top Doctors Hall of Fame, meaning they’ve been named one of the publication’s Top Doctors at least 5 times over the past 10 years. These doctors have earned a place among an elite group of peers and are being celebrated as “the best of the best.”
Dr. Ritu Cuttica is a board-certified physician specializing in Internal Medicine. She received her medical degree from Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her traditional rotating internship at St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields, IL, followed by the completion of her Internal Medicine residency at Mount Carmel Health System in Columbus, OH.
Dr. Cuttica has a special interest in diagnostic medicine, preventive medicine, and chronic disease management. She takes great pride in providing quality patient care and strongly believes in educating her patients while taking the extra time to ensure an understanding of a particular problem or disease state and treatment goals.
Outside of work, Dr. Cuttica enjoys exercising, reading, and watching sports. But most of all, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.
"I believe in building a partnership with my patients. I enjoy getting to know each and every patient and treating them individually, which is essential to providing quality medical care."
Dr. Ashtaad Dalal is originally from New York State and is board-certified in both Family Medicine and Sleep Medicine. He completed his Family Medicine residency and Sleep Medicine fellowship at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, LA.
Dr. Dalal served as Chief Resident during his Family Medicine residency. During his training, he developed a strong interest in Sleep Medicine and pursued it as a natural extension of his goal of delivering patient-centered, evidence-based care. His focus is on providing comprehensive and individualized care tailored to each patient. He currently serves as President of the DC Sleep Society and is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Advocacy Committee.
Dr. Dalal enjoys traveling, cooking different cuisines, reading, playing tennis, and spending time with his family and friends.
"The average human being sleeps for one third of their life – there is no question that sleep plays a significant role in our lives, and affects every individual’s health differently. I believe that there is a great value in developing meaningful relationships, based on trust, and providing personalized care specific to every patient’s needs."
Dr. Jeff Hales joined PMA Health in 2003 and has special clinical interests in airway diseases such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and bronchiectasis.
Dr. Hales’ undergraduate studies were in Biomedical and Electrical Engineering at Duke University. He attended the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, where he stayed to train in Internal Medicine and served as Chief Resident in Ambulatory Medicine at the Nashville Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He then attended Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and completed a fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine.
Dr. Hales has been involved in clinical research studies evaluating therapies for asthma and COPD and was a principal investigator in the AIR2 Trial 2005-2010, evaluating the effectiveness of Bronchial Thermoplasty as a treatment for asthma. He routinely evaluates patients with acute and chronic pulmonary symptoms, such as a cough, breathlessness, chest discomfort, and those with abnormal findings on imaging studies (chest x-ray or CT scan of the chest) that reveal nodules, scarring, or concerns for Lung Cancer. Additionally, he currently serves as the Chief of the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine at VHC Health.
Outside of the practice, Dr. Hales is always busy with his young family, and volunteering as a coach for Little League and recreation soccer. He enjoys gardening around the house, both flowers and vegetables, camping, canoeing, and fishing with the scouting programs.
"Keeping you breathing well and living a full and enjoyable life is our mission at PMA. "
Dr. Timothy Muir joined PMA Health in 2012 and has been in practice since 2000.
After graduating from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Dr. Muir pursued his medical education at Georgetown University, where he graduated Cum Laude in 1997. He then completed an internship and residency in Internal Medicine at the University of North Carolina.
"Every time a patient asks us to take care of them, it is an honor and a privilege. Helping people take care of their health and educating them about wellness and whatever medical conditions they encounter is what we do. It is our mission to care for the community, and I am proud to work with everyone here at PMA."
Jennifer T. Neria, MD, MPH, is a board-certified physician in Family Medicine and Assistant Clinical Professor of Family Medicine at Georgetown University. She completed her Bachelor's degree in English at the University of Virginia and a Master's degree in Public Health in International Health Promotion at George Washington University School of Public Health. She then earned her medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine and completed her training at the VCU-Fairfax Family Medicine Residency Program in Fairfax, Virginia, one of the oldest and highly regarded family medicine programs in the U.S.
Dr. Neria now focuses on general adult medicine, preventive health, routine gynecological exams, general women's health issues, and travel medicine. She continues to have a special interest in in-office procedures, a service that she offers at our Falls Church location. While some patient conditions sometimes require a referral to a specialist for further evaluation and treatment, in many instances procedures can be performed in our office by Dr. Neria as part of the diagnosis and management of common adult problems (e.g., Skin Biopsies, Ingrown Toenail Removal, Cryotherapy for Warts, etc).
Dr. Neria lives in Virginia with her husband, daughter, and dog. She loves cooking, traveling, interior design, music, and sharing extra-long meal times with family and friends. She is starting to dabble in a little gardening, hoping to transform her black thumb into a green one. She enjoys Pilates and would like to get back into tennis and learn how to ski. Most of all, she is enjoying the experience of parenthood with her husband, watching their young daughter in awe, constantly amazed by her humor, curiosity, and heart.
"As a primary care physician, I am only one part of a patient’s health team. One of my roles is to provide patient education and utilize current evidence-based medicine so that my patients can make the best choices for themselves. Together we treat illness, establish healthier lifestyles and choices, and prevent preventable diseases. I also believe in building a mutually respectful patient-doctor relationship founded on open communication and humor."
Dr. Neil Shea joined PMA Health in 2017. His clinical interests include COPD, asthma, interstitial lung diseases, lung cancer, and bronchoscopy.
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. Shea graduated cum laude from Boston College, with a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy. He completed his medical education at the University of Missouri - Columbia, where he graduated magna cum laude in 2011. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, both at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL.
Outside of work, Dr. Shea enjoys exercise, traveling, trying new cuisine, and spending time with his wife, family, and friends.
"I am committed to providing high-quality, compassionate medical care. I aim to help people maximize their health so they can enjoy the best quality of life possible. I believe that the foundation of excellent care is forming an education-based partnership with my patients to help them achieve their goals."
Lawrence Stein, MD, FACP, FCCP - Sleep Medicine
A native New Yorker, Dr. Lawrence Stein joined PMA Health in 1991.
Following the completion of a Bachelor of Science at Fordham University in 1981 where he graduated with Honors, Dr. Stein completed his medical education at the State University of New York. He then pursued an internship and residency in internal medicine at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital and afterward completed fellowships in Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
Dr. Lawrence Stein enjoys baseball, history, traveling, and spending time with his family.
"Improving somebody's sleep is one of the most important contributions that you can provide to a patient's health. It improves every aspect of their lives, including their personal relationships, their job performance, and their medical well-being."
Christopher Wyckoff, MD - Pulmonology
Dr. Christopher Wyckoff joined PMA Health in 2008 and provides both outpatient and inpatient consultation. His clinical interests include the management of asthma, COPD, sarcoidosis, and lung cancer.
Dr. Wyckoff graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Rochester in 1997, with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics. He stayed to complete his medical education in 2001 and pursued his internal medicine internship and residency at Georgetown University in 2004. Finally, Dr. Wyckoff completed a fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Georgetown University Hospital in 2008. During his fellowship, he received the Fellow of the Year Award 3 years in a row, for excellence in teaching residents.
Dr. Wyckoff has a clinical faculty appointment at Georgetown University and serves as the Site Director for Internal Medicine Residents that rotate at the hospital. He is actively involved in teaching Internal Medicine Residents and has received the Clinical Faculty Teaching Award on multiple occasions.
In his personal time, Dr. Wyckoff enjoys spending time with his wife and three children.