About me
Cheryl B. Iglesia, MD, FACOG, FPMRS, is Director of the Section of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and Director of the National Center for Advanced Pelvic Surgery (NCAPS) at MedStar Health, an internationally renowned center that combines urogynecology and minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. She is also Professor of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Urology at Georgetown University School of Medicine.
Dr. Iglesia and her colleagues are internationally and nationally recognized for their work in advancing the clinical, academic, research, and other innovative aspects of advanced pelvic surgery and urogynecology. The NCAPS faculty has received numerous awards for their excellence in research, teaching clinical trials, leadership, and administration. The MedStar Health—Washington Hospital Center Fellowship Program in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery is recognized as one of the top urogynecology fellowship programs in the country and one of the few fellowships that combine urogynecology and minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.
As a double board-certified physician in Ob/Gyn and female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery with more than 30 years in the field, Dr. Iglesia specializes in diagnosing and treating pelvic floor disorders, including urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, overactive bladder, and pelvic organ prolapse. She also specializes in treating complex pelvic floor complications after prior surgery, including urinary and bowel fistulas; complications after pregnancy and childbirth, including pain from episiotomies and lacerations, as well as accidental bowel and bladder leakage; and complications after cancer treatment, such as sexual health issues and vaginal dryness. She has special expertise in managing complications associated with transvaginal mesh and its removal.
Philosophy of Care
“My philosophy of care goes hand-in-hand with my philosophy of life. At the end of the day, life is about how you treat others. I treat my patients, as well as my colleagues including the administrative staff, nurses, medical office assistants, advanced practice practitioners, and learners in training, with the highest respect.
“I provide care and practice to the highest level of medical evidence. I want my patients to have access to the most groundbreaking treatments, but there must be evidence of their safety and efficacy. The advantage of getting care at a renowned medical teaching institution such as MedStar Health and Georgetown University School of Medicine is that patients have access to novel treatments through clinical trials, where we evaluate the new technology using outcomes that matter most to patients.
“I don’t operate on strangers. I feel strongly that it’s important to listen to patients, to understand what their goals and expectations are, and to have an honest conversation about how we can help them best achieve those goals.
“I’m passionate about educating doctors in training and giving my all to spread knowledge to the next generation of pelvic reconstructive surgeons–that is a significant part of my legacy.
“A saying that really speaks to me is, ‘Work won’t love you back.’ I know this to be true because only family and close friends can fill that need. But I firmly believe that work can bring you joy. I’m so joyful about the work I do. Some of the conditions I treat can be very debilitating and embarrassing, and significantly affect our patients’ quality of life. I really enjoy being able to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. It’s a true privilege and honor.”
Clinical areas of focus
- Lichen Sclerosus Treatment
- Robotic Colpopexy
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abnormal Breast Imaging
- Abnormal Urine Test Results
- Acquired Absence Of Female Genital Organs
- Acquired Absence Of Organs
- Acute Pelvic Pain
- Bartholin's Gland Diseases
- Candidiasis
- Cervical Dysplasia
- Cervix Uteri Disorders
- Congenital Malformations Of Female Genitalia
- Cystitis
- Cystocele
- Dyspareunia
- Endometriosis
- Female Genital Pain
- Female Genital Tract Fistulae
- Female Genital Tract Polyp
- Female Urinary Tract Infections (UTIS)
- Genital Injury
- Genitourinary Symptoms
- Hematuria
- Herpes (GENITAL HERPES)
- Interstitial Cystitis
- Leiomyoma Of Uterus
- Malignant Neoplasm Of Cervix Uteri
- Menstrual Disorders
- Mesh Erosion
- Ovarian Cysts And Benign Neoplasms
- Ovary, Fallopian Tube And Broad Ligament Disorders
- Painful Urination
- Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Peritoneum Disorders
- Sexual Dysfunction
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Sling Procedure Complications
- Uterine And Vaginal Bleeding Abnormalities
- Uterine Fibroids
- Uterine Prolapse
- Uterus Problems
- Vagina And Vulva Inflammation And Infections
- Vaginal And Vulvar Inflammation
- Vaginal Dryness
- Vaginal Fistula
- Vaginal Wall Prolapse
- Vulva And Perineum Disorders
- Vulvar And Vaginal Atrophy
Procedures I perform
- Endometrial Ablation
- Enteroscopy
- Geriatric Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
- Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
- Laparoscopic Removal Of Adnexal Structures
- Lichen Sclerosus Treatment
- Pelvic Floor Surgery
- Pelvic Pain Treatment
- Posterior Colporrhaphy
- Repair Perineum Muscle
- Robotic Colpopexy
- Vagina Resection
- Vaginal Laser Rejuvenation
- Vaginal Laser Therapy
- Vaginal Pessary Insertion
- Vaginal Rejuvenation With Vaginoplasty
- Vaginal Vault Suspension
- Vaginoplasty
- Vaginoplasty Revision
- Vestibuloplasty
- Vulvodynia
Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.
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List of insurance plans we accept
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- TRICARE East Select
- Medicare FFS
- Beech Street PPO
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- United Healthcare Choice
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Navigate
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- CareFirst Administrators
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Aetna Classic 5000
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- OA Plus
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- United Student Resources
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- First Health PPO
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Choice POS
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- IH-Open HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Sentara Health
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Choice POS II
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- IH-POS
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- CareFirst EPO
- IH-Open POS II
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Medicare Direct
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Aetna Basic
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- IH-Network Only Plus
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- TRICARE East Prime
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Choice Fund PPO
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- UHC Passport
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Employee Health Plan
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- HighMark
- IH-EPO Plus
- CIGNA EPO
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Aetna HMO
- CareFirst NASCO
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- CIGNA PPO
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- MultiPlan, Inc
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- IH-POS Plus
- Optimum Choice
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- TRICARE for Life East
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Police and Fire Clinic
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- IH-Indemnity
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Network OA
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- First Health PPO
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- IH-HMO
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- CIGNA Indemnity
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- IH-PPO
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- POS OA
Videos
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Fellowship: Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center-Chicago (1997)
Fellowship: Methodist Hospital of Indiana (1997)
Residency: University of Florida College of Medicine - Jacksonville (1995)
Medical School: University of Maryland School of Medicine (1991)
Awards
- Washingtonian Top Doc 2025 2021 Most Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Florida College of Medicine, Shands/Jacksonville
- 2019 Karen Gale Award for Outstanding Achievement and Mentorship, Georgetown University School of Medicine
- 2018 AUGS Foundation Donor of the Year Award Chicago, IL
- 2014 ACOG Mentor of the Year Award
- 2013 SGS President’s Award for Outstanding Research,Charleston, SC
- 2011 AUGS Best Clinical/Surgical Paper Chicago, IL
- 2011 Axel Ingelman-Sundberg Award for Best Abstract International Urogynecologic Association 36th Annual Meeting Lisbon, Portugal
- 2011 Best Surgical Video Award Society of Gynecologic Surgeon’s 27th Annual Meeting
- Teaching Awards
- 2014 Anthony Sciallli Chief Resident excellence in teaching and resident advocacy award from Graduating Chief Residents
- 2014-17, 2019-21 Golden Apple Teaching Award Nomination(Georgetown Med Students)
- 2000 CREOG National Faculty Award for Excellence in Resident Education as voted by Washington Hospital Center Ob/Gyn Residents
- 1997 Fellowship Teaching Award for Resident Education, Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center
- 1995 Jelks Award for Education, Diligence, Compassion and Innovation in Patient Care, University of Florida Health Sciences Center/ Shands
- 1995 Special Excellence in Endoscopy University of Florida Health Sciences Center/ Shands
- 1991 Rudolf Virchow Award for Research in Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine
- Special Recognition
- Top Doctors listing Washingtonian Magazine 2012-2017
- Super Doctors listing: The Washington Post 2011-2013
- Best Doctors Northern Virginia 2009 - present
- Best Doctors in America 2005 - present