Dr. Eshkevari, PhD
Nurse Anesthesiologist
Ladan Eshkevari, PhD, CRNA, LAc, FAAN, is Co-CEO and Founder of Avesta Ketamine Wellness, which now has three locations: Washington, DC McLean, Virginia, and Bethesda, Maryland.
Dr. Eshkevari is a professor Emeritus at Georgetown University where she was full time faculty for 25 years, educating graduate nursing and medical students. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Honors from the University of Maryland and her Master of Science in nurse anesthesia from Columbia University in New York City. She earned her doctorate in physiology and biophysics from Georgetown University. She is an expert in the area of stress related depression, anxiety, anesthesia, pain management, and alternative medicine, and holds a diplomate degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture.
Dr. Eshkevari has been published in numerous peer reviewed scientific journals and has been highlighted in several popular magazines such as National Geographic, and Time Magazine. She is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, the highest honor bestowed on nurses both nationally and internationally.
Dr. Eshkevari is one of the first ketamine providers in the DMV area, and many providers use her protocols after following her in her original Chevy Chase, MD office. We have treated over 900 patients at Avesta Ketamine and Wellness.
Dr. Bielamowicz, MD
Dr. Anne Bielamowicz, MD has been a practicing anesthesiologist in the DC area for more than twenty-five years. After receiving her Bachelors of Science from the University of California at Davis, Dr. Bielamowicz earned a medical degree from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). She completed her internship in pediatrics at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center and her residency in anesthesiology at UCLA where she served as Chief Resident. She is a diplomat of the National Board of Medical Examiners and the American Board of Anesthesiology and is a member of the American Society of Anesthesiology and the Virginia Society of Anesthesiologists. She has extensive background in post-operative pain management utilizing a multimodal approach and expertise in multiple ultrasound guided regional anesthesia nerve block techniques.
Upon her initial relocation from California to the DC area, Dr. Bielamowicz worked as an Associate Professor in the Department of Anesthesia at Georgetown University Hospital. In addition to teaching medical students, residents, and student nurse anesthetists, she served as the Department Director of Quality Assessment and Improvement. Additionally, she held positions on numerous hospital committees including Quality Assurance, Risk Management, and Pharmacy. She later joined OrthoVirginia (formerly Commonwealth Orthopaedics) where she served as Chief of Anesthesia for over fifteen years.
Sam, NP
Sam is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner with 14 years combined experience in the health care field. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Maryland and his Master of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University. As an ER travel nurse he practiced throughout Los Angeles and Baltimore before transitioning into hospice care as a clinical manager. Sam has an affinity for altruism and developed a personal interest in mental health care after his own experience with lack of access. He is compassionate and disciplined in promoting unconditional positive regard with all clients. He takes special joy in teaching, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Stephanie
Stephanie graduated from the University of Miami with a BA in public health and psychology in 2018. After graduating, she engaged in the psychology field as a Registered Behavioral Tech (RBT) for young children with autism. As an RBT, she worked with Behavioral Analysts, parents, and teachers to develop and implement behavior therapy plans for children. There, she found a passion for helping people and families through difficult times. Now as part of Avesta’s team, she strives to influence the healthcare system, facilitating access to treatments, like Ketamine therapy to become affordable, better understood, and incorporated as a holistic approach to mood and pain disorders. She fully believes in the combination of Ketamine infusions and cognitive therapy, and fits well with Avesta’s mission in helping people with mood disorders optimize their health, and wellbeing, and live their best lives!
Lauren, NP
Lauren is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner with 8 years experience in nursing after exploring other career avenues. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Central Florida, Bachelors of Science in Psychology and minor in Sociology from University of South Florida and her Master of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University. She spent the last 6 years of nursing working in outpatient surgery, before taking a travel assignment in Charlottesville, VA with UVA. Lauren has lived in several regions of the United States such as Pennsylvania, Arizona, North Carolina, Virginia and Florida. She has also traveled extensively around the country as well as abroad for adventurous pursuits. Lauren makes it her mission to make others comfortable and feel special, offering authenticity with a non-judgmental, down to earth approach. Lauren engages in many hobbies such as hiking, soap making, running, cycling, baking, karaoke and dancing. She is always up to try something new with a love of learning and being able to share that love.
Joyce, NP
Joyce is a board-certified Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Indiana University and her Master of Science in Nursing from Michigan State University. Practiced as a cardiac transplant and cardiac intensive care nurse for 3 years and then as an outpatient infusion nurse. Joyce has developed a personal interest and passion for mental health due to the lack of access, resources, and providers in the Midwest. She enjoys conversing and connecting with patients. She takes joy in traveling, hiking, playing sports, and exploring new restaurants with friends and family.
Christina
Christina graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in biology and has a background in biological and clinical research as well as rehab counseling. While at school, she studied abroad in Melbourne Australia and did a marine botany course on the South Coast where she snorkeled and collected marine plant specimens. In her free time she spends time with her two cats and rabbit, plays video games and enjoys practicing American Sign Language.
Monica
Monica has worked in various fields within healthcare, starting in hospitality in 2010. As an in-home caregiver she found the administrative side of healthcare and started working towards a degree in Health Information Technology and Medical Billing and Coding in 2017. In 2023 Monica graduated from DeVry University with a Bachelor’s in Technical Management with a concentration in Healthcare Administration. She has been working on Insurance Coverage for Experimental and Investigational treatments for 3 years to help patients gain access to treatments.