Melissa Howard Fries, MD| Obstetrics, Medical Genetics | MedStar Health
Melissa Howard Fries

Melissa Howard Fries, MD
Provider is directly employed by MedStar Health

4.7 out of 5 (67 reviews)

Specialties: Obstetrics, Medical Genetics, Clinical Genetics

Languages: Spanish, German, English

(202) 877-8695

About me

As a reproductive geneticist and high risk obstetrician, Dr. Fries recognizes the privilege of caring for those whose road to motherhood has been difficult and uncertain. Mothers with genetic conditions, such as brittle bone disease, or problems, such as repaired congenital heart anomalies, have special risks in pregnancy. She is committed to providing the most compassionate and experienced care for these high risk women and their infants--comprehensive, honest, and committed care from preconception to postpartum. Dr. Fries works as part of a multidisciplinary and regional involvement of the adult physicians at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and the Fetal Program at Children's National Medical Center. This inclusiveness allows women who may have doubted their chance for a healthy and successful pregnancy to realize their dreams.

Dr. Fries has spent over 30 years in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. She trained at the Uniformed Services of the Health Sciences, and did her OB/GYN residency at Wilford Hall Air Force Medical Center and  fellowship in reproductive genetics at University of California-San Francisco. After 26 years in the Air Force, Dr. Fries retired from the military and joined the faculty at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. She presently serves as the Director of the Special Moms/Special Babies program, the Clinical Executive Director of the DC Perinatal Quality Collaborative, and is a member of the DC Maternal Mortality Committee.



Additional Practice Location:
18101 Prince Philip Dr 
Ste 5100
Olney, MD 20832  

Phone: (301) 570-7424 
Fax: (301) 570-7425 

Clinical areas of focus

  • Prenatal Care
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Conditions and procedures

Conditions I treat

  • Abnormalities Of The Uterus
  • Adult Congenital Heart Disease In Pregnancy
  • Advanced Maternal Age
  • Aicardi Syndrome
  • Alagille Syndrome
  • Albinism
  • Alport Syndrome
  • Amenorrhea
  • Amino Acidopathy
  • Anemia Of Pregnancy
  • Angelman Syndrome
  • Aniridia
  • Arrhythmias During Pregnancy
  • Beckwith Wiedemann Syndrome
  • Bleeding During Pregnancy
  • Breast Cancer During Pregnancy
  • Breastfeeding Problems
  • Breech Birth
  • Brugada Syndrome
  • Cafe Au Lait Spots
  • Cancer Related Sexual Concerns
  • Cardiac Disease In Pregnancy
  • Cardiofaciocutaneous Syndrome
  • Cervical Incompetence
  • Cervical Insufficiency
  • Cholestasis Of Pregnancy
  • Chromosome Abnormality
  • Chromosome Deletion
  • Chromosome Duplication
  • Chromosome Inversion
  • Chromosome Mosaicism
  • Chromosome Translocation
  • Cleidocranial Dysostosis
  • Congenital Anomalies Of The Face
  • Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)
  • Congenital Limb Defects
  • Consanguinity
  • Copy Number Variation
  • Cornelia De Lange Syndrome
  • Cystic Fibrosis Gene Carrier
  • Cystitis
  • Cystocele
  • Cystodynia
  • Digeorge Syndrome
  • Dysmorphic Features
  • Eclampsia
  • Ehlers Danlos
  • Enterocele
  • Family History Of Autism
  • Family History Of Birth Defects
  • Family History Of Cancer
  • Family History Of Chromosomal Anomalies
  • Family History Of Colon Cancer
  • Family History Of Genetic Disease Carrier
  • Family History Of Intellectual Disabilities
  • Fatal Fetal Anomalies
  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
  • Fetal Anomalies
  • Fragile X Syndrome
  • Gestational Diabetes
  • Hellp Syndrome
  • Hemochromatosis
  • Heterotaxy Disorders
  • History Of Severe Preeclampsia
  • HIV In Pregnancy
  • Holoprosencephaly
  • Hydatiform Mole
  • Hyperemesis
  • Hypermobility Syndrome
  • Hypertensive Disorders Of Pregnancy
  • Hyperthyroidism In Pregnancy
  • Hypothyroidism In Pregnancy
  • Klinefelter Syndrome
  • Laceration Of Vagina
  • Lactation Disorders
  • Large For Gestational Age
  • Liver Disease In Pregnancy
  • Lymphoma During Pregnancy
  • Marfan Syndrome
  • Maternal Autoimmune Disease
  • Maternal Obesity
  • Maternal Substance Abuse
  • Maturity Onset Diabetes Of The Young
  • Medical Complications In Pregnancy
  • Morning Sickness
  • Multiple Congenital Anomalies And Birth Defects
  • Multiple Gestations
  • Nausea Of Pregnancy
  • Perinatal Mental Health Disorders
  • Perinatal Mood Disorders
  • Personal History Of Stillbirth
  • Placenta Accreta
  • Placenta Percreta
  • Placenta Previa
  • Placental Abruption
  • Placental Disorders
  • Postpartum Depression
  • Postpartum Mastitis
  • Postpartum Thyroiditis
  • Prader Willi Syndrome
  • Preeclampsia
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Related Musculoskeletal Conditions
  • Pregnancy With Ibd
  • Prenatal Diagnosis
  • Prenatal Hydronephrosis
  • Preterm Labor
  • Preterm Premature Rupture Of Membranes
  • Pruritic Urticarial Papules And Plaques Of Pregancy (PUPP)
  • Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
  • Rh Incompatibility
  • Robertsonian Translocation
  • Severe Preeclampsia
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases In Pregnancy
  • Shortened Cervix
  • Small For Gestational Age
  • Stillbirth
  • Supernumerary Marker Chromosome
  • Teen Pregnancy
  • Triple X Syndrome
  • Trisomy
  • Trisomy 13
  • Trisomy 18
  • Tuberous Sclerosis
  • Twins
  • Undiagnosed Syndromes
  • Urge Incontinence
  • Uterine Anomaly With Pregnancy
  • Uterine Myoma
  • Vasa Previa
  • Williams Syndrome
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Procedures I perform

  • Amniocentesis
  • Antepartum And Postpartum Care
  • Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH) Testing
  • Biophysical Profile Testing
  • Birth Control
  • Birth Control Counseling
  • Breast Cancer Genetic Testing
  • Cancer Genetics
  • Cardiac Genetics
  • Cervical Cerclage
  • Cervical Length Assessment
  • Cesarean Section
  • Chorionic Villus Sampling
  • Chromosomal Microarray Analysis
  • Clomid
  • Contraceptive Counseling
  • Contraction Stress Testing
  • Dialysis During Pregnancy
  • Dilation And Curettage
  • Down Syndrome Screening
  • Fetal Doppler Studies
  • Fetal Non Stress Testing
  • Fetal Ultrasound
  • First Trimester Screening
  • Genetic Counseling
  • Genetic Testing
  • Labor And Delivery
  • Lactation Support
  • Maternal Anticoagulation
  • Natural Birth
  • Opioid Addiction Treatment In Pregnancy
  • Pessary
  • Post Partum Check Up
  • Postpartum Care
  • Preconception Counseling
  • Pregnancy Counseling
  • Prenatal Care
  • Prenatal Genetic Counseling
  • Prenatal Testing
  • Prenatal Ultrasound Scan
  • Preventative Women Healthcare
  • Suture Removal
  • Tubal Ligation
  • Women's Health
  • Zika Virus Testing
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Practice locations

Distance from Change LocationEnter your Location

1133 21st Street Northwest
Building 2
Washington, DC, 20036

202-877-6599

Fax 202-877-2008

Get Directions

miles away

Fax 202-877-2008

106 Irving Street Northwest
Suite 108
Washington, DC, 20010

202-877-6093

Fax 202-877-8695

Get Directions

miles away

Fax 202-877-8695

106 Irving Street Northwest
Suite 1500
Washington, DC, 20010

202-877-2303

Fax 202-877-7101

Get Directions

miles away

Fax 202-877-7101

18101 Prince Philip Drive
Suite 5100
Olney, MD, 20832

301-570-7424

Fax 301-570-7425

Get Directions

miles away

Fax 301-570-7425

4 Atlantic Street Southwest
Suite 323
Washington, DC, 20032

301-699-7700

Fax 202-407-7747

Get Directions

miles away

Fax 202-407-7747

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.

  • List of insurance plans we accept
    • Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
    • Innovation Health: Open POS Plus
    • Innovation Health: Open POS II
    • Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
    • Aetna Choice POS & Choice POS II
    • Innovation Health: POS Plus
    • Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
    • Innovation Health: POS
    • Aetna Open HMO/Open HMO Option/Open EPO Plus
    • Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA
    • Aetna HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
    • Innovation Health: HMO & EPO Plus
    • Aetna Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
    • Aetna HMO
    • Innovation Health: Open Network Only Plus
    • Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
    • Innovation Health: Network Only Plus
    • Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
    • Employee Health Plan (EHP)
    • Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
    • Cigna Preferred Medicare
    • Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO) |
    • Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
    • Veterans Affairs Community Care Network (VA CCN)
    • United Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
    • United Student Resources
    • United Select Plus (POS)
    • United Select HMO - EPO/NPP
    • United Options (PPO) (includes Empire PPO)
    • United Golden Rule
    • United GEHA (for all other states) Compass Rose
    • D-SNP)
    • I-SNP
    • United Nursing Home Plan (C-SNP
    • United Erickson Advantage Plans
    • United Choice Plus
    • United Choice
    • United Mamsi Life & Health
    • United Core Essential (HMO)
    • United Navigate
    • MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
    • MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
    • United MD IPA Preferred (POS)
    • United MD IPA (HMO)
    • Kaiser Permanente Signature-Added Choice
    • Kaiser Signature
    • Kaiser HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
    • Kaiser Select-Added Choice
    • Kaiser Select
    • Kaiser Medicare Plus
    • Kaiser Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
    • Kaiser Flexible Choice
    • HumanaChoice PPO
    • HumanaChoice Honor’s plan PPO
    • Health Services for Children with Special Needs (HSCSN)
    • Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
    • Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
    • Cigna POS/Network POS
    • Cigna Indemnity
    • Cigna POS Open Access & Open Access Plus
    • Cigna Network Open Access
    • Cigna HMO Open Access
    • Cigna PPO and PPO Plus
    • Cigna EPO
    • Cigna Choice Fund PPO
    • Beech Street PPO
    • Innovation Health: Indemnity
    • Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
    • Aetna Student Health Insurance
    • Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
    • Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
    • Innovation Health: PPO
    • Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
    • Cigna HMO & Network (HMO)
    • WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
    • WellPoint Maryland
    • Virginia Premier
    • Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
    • UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
    • United Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
    • Uniformed Services Family Health Plan (USFHP)
    • Private Health Care Systems (PHCS) (PPO)
    • Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
    • Police and Fire Clinic
    • United Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) & OCI Direct (HMO)
    • United Optimum Choice
    • United Group Medicare Advantage Plans
    • United AARP Medicare Complete
    • Traditional Medicare Fee for Service
    • Medicaid - Virginia
    • Medicaid - Maryland
    • Medicaid - District of Columbia
    • Tricare for Life East
    • Tricare Reserve Select
    • Tricare East Select
    • Tricare East Prime
    • Maryland Point of Service Plan (MPOS)
    • HealthyBlue PPO
    • Federal Employee Program (Std/Basic PPO/Blue Focus)
    • CareFirst NASCO
    • CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
    • CareFirst MedStar PPO
    • CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
    • CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
    • CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
    • CareFirst BC/BS Advantage Core/Enhanced
    • CareFirst Blue Card Program (Out-of-area BCBS plans)
    • CareFirst Administrators
    • CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
    • Carefirst BlueChoice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
    • Carefirst Healthy Blue (HMO/POS)
    • Carefirst BlueChoice Opt Out Open Access
    • Carefirst BlueChoice Open Access
    • Carefirst BlueChoice HMO
    • Carefirst EPO
    • Carefirst Blue Preferred PPO
    • Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
    • MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
    • First Health PPO
    • Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
    • Coventry Health Care of Virginia
    • Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA

Education

Board Certification: American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology

Board Certification: American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics, Clinical Genetics (MD)

Fellowship Program: University of California Hospitals and Clinics (1992)

Residency Program: Wilford Hall Medical Center - 59th Medical Wing (1988)

Internship Program: Wilford Hall Medical Center - 59th Medical Wing (1985)

Medical School: Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (1984)

Ratings and reviews

  • Explanations the care provider gave you about your problem or condition

    4.8
  • Extent to which the care provider listened to you

    4.6
  • Care provider’s discussion of any proposed treatment (options, risks, benefits, etc.)

    4.7
  • Care provider’s efforts to include you in decisions about your care

    4.6
  • Concern the care provider showed for your questions or worries

    4.8
  • Likelihood of recommending this care provider to others

    4.7
  • May 3, 2023

    Very good

  • Apr 6, 2022

    *Dr. Fries displayed so much knowledge of my current situation. She also had the best attitude towards her position in healthcare.

  • Nov 27, 2019

    Knowledgeable Friendly Kind Expert Trustful