About me
Kristen L. Russomanno, MD, is board certified in both internal medicine and dermatology and is currently practicing dermatology at MedStar Health Lafayette Centre.
Dr. Russomanno sees patients for a wide range of dermatologic conditions, including skin cancers, actinic keratoses, chronic sun damage, acne, cysts, eczema, psoriasis, and other types of skin infections and disorders. Her treatment methods include surgical excision of lesions, biopsy of lesions, cryotherapy/liquid nitrogen treatment, intralesional steroid injections, electrodessication and curettage, and neuromodulator injections.
Double board certified in both internal medicine and dermatology, Dr. Russomanno is guided by both perspectives in her practice. She believes in providing her patients with as much information as possible about their conditions and treatment options and recognizes the need for personalized treatment plans, patient autonomy, and choice.
Passionate about preventing skin cancer, Dr. Russomanno is particularly interested in the diagnosis, treatment, and research of skin cancers, including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. To prevent skin cancer, she treats actinic skin damage, provides options for chemoprevention in high risk populations, and counsels on UV protection. One development in her field that she is excited about is the approval of various immunotherapies to treat advanced skin cancers, because they offer higher efficacy without some of the unwanted side effects of traditional chemotherapy.
Dr. Russomanno earned her medical degree at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. She then went on to complete a dual internal medicine and dermatology residency program at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, where she served as Chief Resident.
She is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and has published several articles in journals such as Journal of Dermatologic Surgery, Pediatric Dermatology, and Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: Case Reports.
Philosophy of care
“I believe very strongly in helping each patient to make the best decision for themselves with the support of their medical team. The decisions patients face on a daily basis are extremely personal, and the role of the physician is to provide the patient with all of the necessary information to make an educated choice that feels right for them. I am sensitive and empathetic to each individual journey and the many decisions patients face along the way.
“I want my patients to feel supported by me, even if their condition is chronic, challenging, or not easily diagnosed. I want patients to feel as though I am approachable and that they can connect with me. My patients should feel as though I am offering them the same attention and care that I would to a family member.
“Referring physicians should know that I am dedicated to teamwork and collaboration and will always engage other colleagues from within dermatology and other specialties to provide the best care for my patients. I always encourage my patients to seek out advice from other physicians they trust as well, and I am eager to work together within a multidisciplinary team to provide the best possible care for each patient.”
Clinical areas of focus
- Acne
- Eczema
- Hair Diseases
- Mohs Surgery
- Mole Examination
- Psoriasis
- Rash
- Skin Cancer Screening
- Skin Cancer Surgery
- Wart Removal
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Acne
- Atypical Mole
- Bullous Disease
- Contact Dermatitis
- Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma
- Cutaneous Vasculitis
- Dandruff
- Dermatitis Herpetiformis
- Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans
- Dermatophytosis
- Dysplastic Nevus
- Eczema
- Erythema Nodosum
- Folliculitis
- Granuloma Annulare
- Hair Diseases
- Herpes
- Herpes Zoster
- Hidradenitis Suppurativa
- Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
- Impetigo
- Keratosis Pilaris
- Lentigo
- Lichen Nitidus
- Lichen Planus
- Lichen Sclerosus
- Melanoma
- Merkel Cell Carcinoma
- Metastatic Melanoma
- Mucinosis
- Mycosis Fungoides
- Necrobiosis Lipoidica
- Neurofibroma
- Neurofibromatosis Type 1
- Nevus
- Non Melanoma Skin Cancer
- Onychomycosis
- Panniculitis
- Paronychia
- Perioral Dermatitis
- Pigmented Lesions
- Plantar Wart
- Poison Ivy
- Polymorphous Light Eruption
- Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
- Pseudofolliculitis Barbae
- Psoriasis
- Pyogenic Granuloma
- Rash
- Rosacea
- Scabies
- Scalp Psoriasis
- Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Seborrheic Keratosis
- Skin Cancer
- Skin Tag
- Squamous Carcinoma In Situ
- Staphylococcus Infections
- Stasis Dermatitis
- Tinea Capitis
- Tinea Corporis
- Tinea Pedis
- Tinea Versicolor
- Xanthoma
Procedures I perform
- Cryotherapy For Skin Lesions
- Dermatologic Immunopathology
- Dermoscopy
- Destruction Of Benign Skin Lesions
- Destruction Of Premalignant Skin Lesions
- Isotretinoin
- Mohs Surgery
- Mole Check
- Mole Examination
- Skin Biopsy
- Skin Cancer Screening
- Skin Cancer Surgery
- Skin Tag Removal
- Wart Removal
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
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select (aka Senior Advantage)
- Blue Choice Advantage & Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans/ UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans HMO, POS, PPO
- United Healthcare Options (PPO) (includes Empire PPO, GEHA, Compass Rose)
- UHC Community Plan of MD
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus (Medicare Supplemental Plan)
- Medicare Fee for Service
- Kaiser Permanente Signature-Added Choice
- Kaiser Virginia Premier
- Private Health Care Systems (PHCS) (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS
- Kaiser PermanenteSelect-Added Choice
- Kaiser MD Medicaid MCO
- CFBCBS EPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv/Special Needs Plans
- CFBCBS Federal Employee Program (Std/Basic PPO/Blue Focus)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- CFBSBC Blue Preferred PPO
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Choice POS & Choice POS II
- Tricare Prime
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- MedStar Select (MedStar Associates' Plan)
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- PPO and PPO Plus
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Innovation Health: POS
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- CFBCBS Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- First Health PPO
- CFBCBS BlueChoice HMO
- Innovation Health: Open POS Plus
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- FIRST HEALTH
- Open EPO Plus
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- CIGNA HMO Open Access (OA)
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) & OCI Direct (HMO)
- Innovation Health: PPO
- Innovation Health: Open Network Only Plus
- United Healthcare Choice
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Opoen HMO Option
- Tricare for Life (Medicare Supplemental Plan)
- HealthyBlue PPO
- CFBCBS Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Aetna Innovations: HMO & EPO Plus
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- CFBCBS Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Innovation Health: POS Plus
- United Student Resources
- Open POS II
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- CIGNA EPO
- POS OA & OA Plus
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Open HMO
- Choice Fund PPO
- CFBCBS Maryland Point of Service Plan (MPOS)
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund) Innovation Health: Network Only Plus
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Innovation Health: Indemnity
- Aetna HMO
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Network OA
- CIGNA Indemnity
Education
Residency Program: MedStar Washington Hospital Center (2022)
Medical School: University of Connecticut School of Medicine (2017)