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