The physicians of the Adult and Pediatric Allergy Center of Northern Virginia specialize in:
The Adult and Pediatric Allergy Center of Northern Virginia has specialized in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of allergies and asthma since 1981. We are affiliated with INOVA Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Reston Hospital in Reston, and INOVA Loudoun Hospital in Leesburg.
Our two physicians are Board Certified in Allergy and Clinical Immunology. In addition, Dr. Schuster is Board Certified in Pediatrics, and Dr. Vu is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. Drs. Schuster and Vu have been recognized by Washingtonian Magazine and Northern Virginia Top Doctors as two of the 100 best doctors in the Washington DC area.
The doctors are assisted by a staff which includes nurses.
The practice has a special expertise in sports-induced asthma. Because we treat a number of Olympic and collegiate athletes, we are familiar with the special needs of high-performance athletes.
Dr. Donna Schuster has been treating adult and pediatric patients with allergic disorders including allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, insect hypersensitivities and asthma in the Northern Virginia area for over 30 years. Having a special interest in exercise-induced asthma, her patients have included two Olympic athletes. She also specializes in treating patients with food allergies, eosinophilic esophagitis and breastfeeding problems. She is a member of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, Interest Section Committee on Food Allergy.
Dr. Schuster is board certified by both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. She graduated from the University of Miami, School of Medicine in 1972. After moving to the Washington, D. C. area as a member of the United States Army, she completed her residency in pediatrics and completed her Fellowship in Allergy–Immunology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. She was Assistant Chief of Allergy–Immunology Service at Walter Reed and co-director of intern training until she opened her private practice in 1980. She served as the allergy consultant for the Northern Virginia Training Center for many years as well as consultant for the Allergy–Immunology Service at WRAMC.
Dr. Schuster is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). She was Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine at Uniformed Services University of the Health Services and Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center School of Medicine.
Growing up in the New York City area as the daughter of a physician and a dentist, Dr. Schuster developed a desire to study medicine in an effort to heal, but especially to affect the prevention of illness, as well as the maintenance of good health. As a mother and now grandmother, she understands the complex dynamics of family life and the importance of, as well as the correlation between, individual and family physical well-being.
In an effort to share and enhance her knowledge of the most current advancements in the field of asthma and allergy–immunology, Dr. Schuster has given numerous scientific workshops and seminars for AAAAI and attends national and international allergy meetings each year.
Northern Virginia Magazine and Washingtonian Magazine, since 1991, have named Dr. Schuster in their list of “Top Doctors”. She was named a “Best for Family” physician by Family Magazine.
Dr. Vu has been serving patients in Northern and Central Virginia since 2000. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Maryland in 1991. She attended the University Of Maryland School Of Medicine in Baltimore, where she earned her M.D. degree. Dr. Vu completed her residency in Internal Medicine at the Medical Center of Delaware. She pursued her Allergy and Immunology training at Johns Hopkins Hospital where she trained with leaders in adult and pediatric allergy and immunology.
In 2000, she moved to Virginia and joined the Adult and Pediatric Allergy Center of Northern Virginia where she has been in private practice ever since. She was named as “Top Docs” in the Washingtonian Magazine and Northern Virginia Magazine. Her areas of special interest include food allergy, eczema, allergic rhinitis, eosinophilic esophagitis and asthma.
Dr. Vu is married and together with her husband has four children. She truly understands the challenges of caring for a child with allergies as all four of her children suffer with various forms of allergies including allergic rhinitis, asthma, food allergies and eczema. Dr. Vu enjoys reading, traveling, playing the piano and playing tennis with her husband and children.
Srividya Thotakura, PA-C, received a BS in genetics and BA in physiology from the University of Minnesota-Twin cities. She worked in genetic research for 3 years but wanted to focus on direct patient care. Sri received a Masters in health sciences from The George Washington University and became a board certified Physician Assistant with NCCPA. Previously, she worked as a Hospitalist and Pulmonary & critical care PA. Sri joined Adult and Pediatric Allergy Center of Northern Virginia in May 2017. Sri has a special interest in pediatric asthma and patient education.
Sri loves spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoys hiking, baking and playing board games with her husband and two children.