About me
Dr. Francisco Espinel is a board-certified general surgeon at Medstar Montgomery Medical Center with over 10 years of experience in general, breast and acute care surgery. Growing up in the D.C. metropolitan area, he has deep ties to the community and enjoys taking care of patients from Maryland, DC and Virginia. He is a second generation physician who grew up learning medicine from his father, an accomplished Nephrologist and Cardiologist.
Dr. Espinel is an assistant professor of surgery at Georgetown University. He is committed to the education of medical students, residents, and staff.
At MedStar Montgomery Medical Center he is part of a diverse general surgery team who treat a wide range of general surgical issues from the simplest to most complex general surgery cases.
Dr. Espinel enjoys a wide variety of general surgery cases from robotic davinci, minimily invasive surgery and open surgery to small procedures done in the office setting.
Dr. Espinel completed high school at Gonzaga College High School and his undergraduate degree from Catholic University of America. He then attended medical school at the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara. He completed his general surgery residency at George Washington University and fellowship at Columbia University Medical Center.
Clinical areas of focus
- Acute Cholecystitis
- Diaphragmatic Hernia
- Enterectomy
- Incisional Hernia
- Robotic Hiatal Hernia Repair
- Ventral Hernia
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abdomen, Lower Back, Pelvis, And Genital Injury
- Abdomen, Lower Back, Pelvis, And Genital Open Wound
- Abnormal Breast Imaging
- Abnormal Function Study Results
- Accessory Sinuses Cancer
- Acquired Absence Of Organs
- Acute Cholecystitis
- Acute Pancreatitis
- Anal Abscess
- Artificial Openings Complications
- Benign Neoplasm Of Skin
- Benign Tumor
- Biliary Tract Disease
- Body Region Injury
- Breast Disorders
- Breast Inflammation
- Breast Lump
- Choledocholithiasis
- Chronic Appendicitis
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Colon Disease
- Complications Of Cardiac And Vascular Prosthetic Devices
- Complications Of Procedures
- Congenital Malformations Of Breast
- Crohn's Disease [Regional Enteritis]
- Cutaneous Abscess, Furuncle And Carbuncle
- Diaphragmatic Hernia
- Digestive System Complications
- Digestive System Symptoms
- Diseases Of Appendix
- Diseases Of Stomach And Duodenum
- Dorsalgia
- Family History Of Malignant Neoplasm
- Female Genital Tract Fistulae
- Femoral Hernia
- Functional Intestinal Disorders
- Hemorrhoids And Perianal Venous Thrombosis
- Incisional Hernia
- Intrathoracic Organ Injury
- Knee And Leg Open Wound
- Mammary Dysplasia
- Muscle Disorders
- Myocarditis
- Ovarian Cysts And Benign Neoplasms
- Papillary Carcinoma Of Breast
- Paralytic Ileus And Intestinal Obstruction
- Peripheral Vascular Disease Of The Intestines
- Peritoneum Disorders
- Pilar Cysts
- Pleural Disease
- Postprocedural States
- Rib And Sternum Fracture
- Shoulder And Upper Arm Tendon Injury
- Skin And Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders
- Skin Swelling And Lumps
- Spinal Stenosis
- Tendinous Disorders
- Uncertain Behavior Of Prostate Lesions
- Vascular Disorders Of Intestine
- Ventral Hernia
Procedures I perform
- Abdominal Wall Stoma Repair
- Appendix Resection
- Axillary Lymph Node Excision
- Breast Cyst Removal
- Breast Lesion Excision With Radiological Marker
- Cauterization Of Granulation Tissue
- Cholecystectomy
- Colectomy
- Da Vinci Gastrectomy
- Endoscopy
- Enterectomy
- Enterocele Repair
- Esophagectomy
- Excision Jejunum
- Excision Of Small Intestine
- Gallbladder Resection
- Gastrectomy
- Gastric Plication
- Gastric Sleeve With Duodenal Switch
- Gastrorrhaphy, Suture Of Perforated Duodenal Or Gastric Ulcer
- Gynecologic Laparotomy
- Heller Myotomy
- Hernia Repair
- Iliopopliteal Bypass
- Incision And Drainage Of Abscess
- Incision And Drainage Of Bartholin's Gland Abscess
- Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy With Cholangiography
- Laparoscopic Splenectomy
- Laparoscopy
- Modified Radical Mastectomy
- Partial Colectomy
- Percutaneous Cholecystostomy
- Peritoneal Cavity Drainage
- Repair Of Anterior Abdominal Hernia
- Robotic Hiatal Hernia Repair
- Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping
- Sigmoid Colectomy
- Simple Mastectomy
- Skin Debridement
- Small Intestine Cancer Surgery
- Small Intestine Repair
- Splenectomy
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 Better Health of MD
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Employee Health Plan
- Aetna Classic 3500
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- POS OA
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- TRICARE East Prime
- CIGNA EPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Choice POS II Open Access
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Aetna VA Exchange
- IH-PPO
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Police and Fire Clinic
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- HealthyBlue PPO
- IH-Open HMO
- CareFirst EPO
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- IH-EPO Plus
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- TRICARE for Life East
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Aetna Basic
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- IH-POS Plus
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Network OA
- Choice POS
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Optimum Choice
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- HighMark
- IH-Open POS II
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Medicare Direct
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- CareFirst Administrators
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- CareFirst NASCO
- Sentara Health
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- CIGNA PPO
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- OA Plus
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Aetna Classic 5000
- BlueChoice Open Access
- First Health PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- United Student Resources
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- IH-Open HMO Option
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Aetna HMO
- IH-POS
- First Health PPO
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Core Essential (HMO)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- UHC Passport
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- IH-Open POS Plus
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Medicare FFS
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Choice Fund PPO
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Beech Street PPO
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Choice POS II
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- CIGNA Indemnity
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- IH-HMO
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- TRICARE East Select
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Navigate
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- United Healthcare Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- IH-Indemnity
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Surgery, General Surgery
Fellowship: Columbia University Irving Medical Center (2010)
Residency: George Washington University Hospital (2009)
Residency: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (2007)
Residency: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (2005)
Internship: St. Vincent's Hospital & Medical Center (2003)
Medical School: New York Medical College (2002)
Medical School: Universidad Autonoma De Guadalajara (1999)
Awards
- Top Doctor Washingtonian Magazine: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
- Top Doctor Virginia Living Magazine: 2020
- Top Doctor Northern Virginia Magazine: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Hospital affiliations
Urgent care affiliations
News and publications
https://www.washingtonian.com/best/doctors/search/awards/2020%20Top%20Doctor/
PUBLICATIONS
Implications of Clostridium septicum in Vascular Surgery: A Case Report and Outcomes Literature Review. Alimi Y, Sosin M, Borsinger TM, Garrett JR, Salameh JR, Espinel CF. Ann Vasc Surg. 2017 Aug; Review. PMID: 28479472
Performance and Practice Guideline for the Use of Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy in the Management of Breast Cancer. Holmes D, Colfry A, Czerniecki B, Dickson-Witmer D, Espinel CF, Feldman E, Gallagher K, Greenup R, Herrmann V, Kuerer H, Malik M, Manahan E, O'Neill J, Patel M, Sebastian M, Wheeler A, Kass R. Ann Surg Oncol. 2015 Oct; PMID: 26224406
The hepatic buttress: A novel surgical technique to treat an intrapericardial diaphragmatic defect after hybrid myocardial ablation. Chapman WC Jr, Sosin M, Salameh JR, Espinel CF. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2015 Jul; PMID: 25957456
MammaPrint Feasibility in a Large Tertiary Urban Medical Center: An Initial Experience. Espinel CF, Keating S, Hibshoosh H, Taback B, Joseph KA, El-Tamer M, Feldman S. Scientifica (Cairo). 2012; PMID: 24278759
Laparoscopy for stage IV melanoma in two organs. Kasza J, Espinel CF, Khambaty F, Bashir S, Brody F.Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. 2010 Aug; PMID: 20729707
Percutaneous balloon occlusion of the inferior vena cava as an adjunct for treating ruptured type IV thoracoabdominal aneurysm and aortocaval fistula. Espinel CF, Calligaro KD, Dougherty MJ.J Vasc Surg. 2006 Apr; PMID: 16616245
Which adolescents are most receptive to tobacco industry marketing? implications for counteradvertising campaigns.Audrain-McGovern J, Tercyak KP, Shields AE, Bush A, Espinel CF, Lerman C. Health Commun. 2003;15(4):499-513.PMID: 14527869
PRESENTATIONS & POSTERS
Espinel CF, El-Tamer, M., Tabak, B., Jospeh, KA., Feldman, S. MammaPrint feasibility in a large academic medical center: initial experience. Poster presentation. American Society of Breast Surgeons. 11th Annual Meeting. Las Vegas, Nevada. May 2010.
Espinel CF, Feldman S, Mitchel S. Nipple sparing mastectomy: Instruction Video. Comprehensive Online Archived Care Heuristic. Online Medical Education Training Paradigm. Columbia University Medical Center. Department of Surgery. April 2010.
Ruotolo RA, Espinel CF, Solot CB, McDonald-McGinn DM, Zackai EH, Kirschner RE. Velar motion and VPI treatment outcomes in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Oral Presentation. Ivy Society Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA. June 2006.
Ruotolo RA, Espinel CF, LaRossa D, Kirschner RE. Lip Adhesion and nasal conformers: staging cleft lip repair to optimize outcome. Oral Presentation. First Annual Whitaker Lectureship, Philadelphia, PA. May 2006.
Espinel CF, Cabiling D, Kirshner R. The role of TGF-b in syndromic and non-syndromic craniosynostosis. Oral and Poster Presentation at the Plastic Surgery Research Council Meeting, Loma Linda, California, May 2006.
Ruotolo R, Espinel CF, Kirschner R. Lip adhesion and nasal conformers: staging cleft lip repair to optimize outcome. Poster Presentation. American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. Vancouver BC, Canada. April 2006.
Ruotolo RA, Espinel CF, LaRossa D, Kirschner RE. Lip adhesion and nasal conformers: staging cleft lip repair to optimize outcome. Poster Presentation. Vancouver, BC Canada. April 2006.
Ruotolo RA, Espinel CF, Solot CB, McDonald-McGinn DM, Zackai EH, Kirschner RE. Velar motion and VPI treatment outcomes in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Oral and Poster Presentation. Vancouver, BC Canada. April 2006.
Ruotolo R, Espinel CF, Solot C., McDonald-McGinn D, Zackai E, Kirschner R. Velar motion and VPI treatment outcomes in 22Q11.2 deletion syndrome. Oral Presentation. Senior Resident Conference. Arlington, Va. March 2006.
Espinel CF, Tercyak KP, Audrain J. The influence of demographics, environmental smoking exposure, and sports participation on levels of adolescent tobacco use. Poster presentation at The Georgetown University Lombardi Cancer Center Annual Research Fair, Washington, DC. June 2001.
Tercyak KP, Espinel CF, Audrain J. ADHD symptomatology, cigarette smoking, and evidence for common bio-behavioral mechanisms of association. Poster presentation at the Bi-annual Florida Conference on Child Psychology, Gainesville, FL. May 2001.
INVITED LECTURES
Virginia Hospital Center Bariatric Symposium, “Surgical Emergencies in the Bariatric Patient” Virginia Hospital Center; Arlington, VA, 2019
Medical Resident Conference, “Abdominal Pain/Acute Abdomen” Virginia Hospital Center; Arlington, VA, 2018 & 2017
Surgical Grand Rounds, “Acute Care Surgery: In the Private Practice Setting” Virginia Hospital Center; Arlington, VA, 2014
“Update in Breast Cancer and Breast Disease” St. Stephen Lutheran Church; Silver Spring, MD, 2012 Surgical Grand Rounds,
“Nipple Sparring Mastectomy” Holy Cross Hospital; Silver Spring, MD, 2010
Women at Risk Benefit, “The Latest in Breast Cancer Research” New York, NY, 2010
Breast Cancer Awareness Day, “Breast Cancer Update” Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP; New York, NY, 2009
Go-Pink Invited Speaker of the Year, “Risk Factors in Breast Cancer” Rye Country Day High School; Rye, NY, 2009