Lauren Talley Cooke, PA| Otolaryngology | MedStar Health
About me
Lauren T. Wester, MMS, PA-C is a physician assistant at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery. Lauren completed her Masters in Medical Science at Lincoln Memorial University- DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2015 and has been working in the Georgetown ENT department ever since. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and The Society of Physician Assistants in Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery (SPAO-HNS).
Lauren sees predominately adult patients with general ENT concerns including sinusitis, ear infection, and throat complaints. She works closely with the department’s fellowship trained head and neck oncology, facial plastics, and rhinology surgeons on a daily basis. In addition to her outpatient clinic responsibilities, Lauren also works part-time in the inpatient setting managing ENT patients and participating in a wide variety of ENT consultations.
A Washington, D.C. area native, Lauren grew up in Northern Virginia. She earned her undergraduate degree in Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise from Virginia Tech. After college, Lauren returned home to work as a Research Assistant for the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc; specifically working on High-Risk Spine protocol within the Neurosurgery Department at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Lauren now lives in D.C. and enjoys traveling, Hokie football and exploring the local restaurant scene.
Clinical areas of focus
- Acute Sinusitis
- Ear Infection
- Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
- Enteroscopy
- Impacted Earwax Removal
- Laryngitis
- Nasal Polyps
- Parathyroid Tumor Surgery
- Percutaneous Osteoplasty
- Sinus Infections
- Throat Infection (TONSILLITIS)
- Thyroid Cancer
- Thyroid Nodules
- Thyroidectomy
- Turbinate Reduction With Radiofrequency
- Vision Screening
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abnormal Breathing
- Abnormal Function Study Results
- Abnormal Movements
- Accessory Sinuses Cancer
- Acute Laryngitis And Tracheitis
- Acute Sinusitis
- Adenoid Hypertrophy
- Adenoiditis
- Aphagia And Dysphagia
- Artificial Openings Complications
- Basal Cell Carcinoma Of Skin
- Benign Neoplasm Of Bone And Articular Cartilage
- Benign Neoplasm Of Brain And Central Nervous System
- Benign Neoplasm Of Mouth And Pharynx
- Benign Neoplasm Of Respiratory System
- Benign Neoplasm Of Skin
- Benign Tumor
- Candidiasis
- Central Sleep Apnea
- Choroidal Nevi
- Chronic Diseases Of Tonsils And Adenoids
- Conductive Hearing Loss
- Congenital Malformations Of Ear
- Congenital Malformations Of Face And Neck
- Coughing Up Blood
- Cysts Of Oral Region
- Dentofacial Abnormality
- Digestive System Symptoms
- Diseases Of Esophagus
- Diseases Of Lip And Oral Mucosa
- Diseases Of Pulp And Periapical Tissues
- Diseases Of Salivary Glands
- Diseases Of Tongue
- Diseases Of Upper Respiratory Tract
- Diseases Of Vocal Cords
- Disorders Of Nose And Nasal Sinuses
- Disorders Of Trigeminal Nerve
- Disturbances Of Smell And Taste
- Dizziness And Lightheadedness
- Ear Infection
- Ear Mass
- Earlobe Cysts
- Earwax Impaction
- Effects Of Air Pressure And Water Pressure
- Enlarged Adenoids
- Eustachian Tube Disorders
- Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
- Eye And Adnexa Disorders
- Eye And Orbit Injury
- Eyelid Disorders
- Facial Nerve Disorder
- Facial Paralysis
- Falls And Gait Disorders
- Family History Of Malignant Neoplasm
- Fungal Otitis Externa
- General Sensations And Perceptions
- Gum Cancer
- Head And Neck Cancer
- Head Injury
- Hearing Aid Fitting
- Hoarseness
- Inguinal Mass
- Inner Ear Diseases
- Jaw Diseases
- Knee And Leg Open Wound
- Lacrimal Gland Disorders
- Laryngitis
- Larynx Cancer
- Loss Of Smell
- Malignant Neoplasm
- Malignant Neoplasm Of Endocrine Glands
- Malignant Neoplasm Of Eye And Adnexa
- Malignant Neoplasm Of Lymph Nodes
- Melanoma In Situ
- Meniere's Disease
- Merkel Cell Carcinoma
- Middle Ear Disorders
- Migraine
- Musculoskeletal System Deformities
- Nasal Airway Obstruction
- Nasal Congestion
- Nasal Fracture
- Nasal Polyp Removal
- Nasal Polyps
- Nasal Septal Deviation
- Nasopharynx Cancer
- Neoplasm Of Uncertain Behavior
- Nervous System Disorders
- Nonsuppurative Otitis Media
- Olfactory Disorders
- Omphalocele
- Orbit Disorders
- Otalgia And Ear Effusion
- Parathyroid Disorders
- Parotid Gland Disorders
- Personal History Of Diseases And Conditions
- Postnasal Drip
- Pyothorax
- Salivary Gland Stones
- Sinus Cysts
- Sinus Infections
- Skin Cancer (BASAL CELL, SQUAMOUS CELL, MELANOMA)
- Skin Swelling And Lumps
- Skull Fractures
- Snoring Disorders
- Somatoform Disorder
- Sore Throat
- Speech Disturbances
- Stomatitis And Related Lesions
- Swimmer's Ear
- Throat Cancer
- Throat Infection (TONSILLITIS)
- Thyroid Cancer
- Thyroid Nodules
- Tinnitus
- Tongue Cancer
- Tongue Tie
- Tonsil Cancer
- Tonsil Stones
- Tympanic Membrane Perforation
- Vasomotor And Allergic Rhinitis
- Vestibular Disorders
- Voice And Resonance Disorders
- Voice Box Cancer
- Zoster
Procedures I perform
- Adenoidectomy
- Auditory Implant Candidacy Evaluation
- Bell's Palsy Treatment
- Bone Anchored Hearing Aid
- Botox Injection
- Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials
- Cochlear Implant Adjustment
- Control Nasal Hemorrhage Anterior Complex
- Cystitis Treatment
- Diagnostic Laryngoscopy
- Ear Drum Perforation Treatment
- Ear Infection Treatment
- Ear Tube Insertion
- Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
- Enteroscopy
- Ethmoidectomy
- Facial Paralysis Treatment
- Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy
- Flash Electroretinography
- Foreign Body Removal From Skin
- Frontal Sinusotomy
- Gastrointestinal Therapy
- Hearing Aid Fitting
- Hearing Restoration Surgery
- Hearing Testing
- Hoarseness Treatment
- Hysteroscopic Polyp Resection
- Impacted Earwax Removal
- Kinesiology Analysis
- Lacrimal Duct Surgery
- Laryngeal Cancer Surgery
- Laryngectomy
- Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) Therapy
- Loss Of Smell Treatment
- Mastoidectomy
- Maxillary Sinusotomy
- Middle Ear Infection Treatment
- Muscle Injection
- Nasal Endoscopy With Biopsy, Polypectomy, Or Debridement
- Neuromuscular Monitoring
- Nystagmography
- Oral And Pharyngeal Swallowing Function Evaluation
- Otoacoustic Emissions
- Parathyroid Tumor Surgery
- Parotid Surgery
- Percutaneous Osteoplasty
- Pulsatile Tinnitus Treatment
- Rotary Chair Testing
- Salivary Gland Stone Removal
- Salivary Gland Surgery
- Septorhinoplasty
- Sinus Infection Treatment
- Sinus Ostia Dilation
- Sinus Surgery
- Speech Audiometry With Tympanometry
- Sphenoidotomy
- Ssep (SOMATOSENSORY EVOKED POTENTIALS)
- Swallowing Disorder Treatment
- Taste Disorder Treatment
- Thyroidectomy
- Tongue Base Reduction
- Tonsillectomy
- Tonsillitis Treatment
- Total Proctocolectomy
- Tracheostomy
- Turbinate Reduction With Radiofrequency
- Urinary Urgency Treatment
- Vagina Transplant
- Venous Ulcer Treatment
- Vestibular Testing
- Vestibuloplasty
- Vision Screening
- Vocal Cord Lateralization
- Vocal Cord Nodule Treatment
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
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Aetna Basic
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- TRICARE for Life East
- OA Plus
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- UHC Passport
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Aetna Classic 3500
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Blue Choice Advantage
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- IH-Indemnity
- POS OA
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Core Essential (HMO)
- TRICARE East Prime
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Employee Health Plan
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Medicare FFS
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- IH-POS Plus
- TRICARE East Select
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- IH-HMO
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Beech Street PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- IH-EPO Plus
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- United Healthcare Choice
- IH-POS
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- IH-Open POS II
- Aetna HMO
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- CIGNA Indemnity
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Choice POS II Open Access
- CareFirst Administrators
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Sentara Health
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Navigate
- Medicare Direct
- Choice Fund PPO
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- United Student Resources
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Choice POS II
- CareFirst NASCO
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Tricare Reserve Select
- CIGNA EPO
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- HighMark
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Police and Fire Clinic
- BlueChoice Open Access
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst EPO
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Choice POS
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Optimum Choice
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- First Health PPO
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- First Health PPO
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- IH-PPO
- Network OA
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- CIGNA PPO
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- IH-Open HMO Option
- HealthyBlue PPO
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- IH-Open HMO
Education
Board Certification: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
Graduate: Lincoln Memorial University (2015)