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
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Choice POS II Open Access
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- CareFirst EPO
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Core Essential (HMO)
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- MultiPlan, Inc
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- IH-Open POS II
- United Healthcare Choice
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Aetna Basic
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- IH-EPO Plus
- IH-Open HMO
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- CIGNA Indemnity
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Aetna Classic 3500
- CareFirst Administrators
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- IH-PPO
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- HumanaChoice PPO
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- OA Plus
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Medicare Direct
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- HealthyBlue PPO
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Network OA
- IH-POS
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- CareFirst NASCO
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Beech Street PPO
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- TRICARE for Life East
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Medicare FFS
- United Student Resources
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Choice POS II
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- IH-HMO
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- CIGNA PPO
- TRICARE East Prime
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Aetna HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- POS OA
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- UHC Passport
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Navigate
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna VA Exchange
- First Health PPO
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- IH-POS Plus
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Optimum Choice
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- IH-Open POS Plus
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- First Health PPO
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- HighMark
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Employee Health Plan
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- IH-Indemnity
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Choice Fund PPO
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- CIGNA EPO
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Sentara Health
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- TRICARE East Select
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Choice POS
Videos
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Fellowship: Methodist Hospital of Indiana (1997)
Fellowship: Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center-Chicago (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