About me
Dr. Lemma is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon, specializing in the surgical treatment of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disorders. He sees patients in Bel Air, Rosedale / White Marsh, and in Baltimore at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital. He currently serves as division chief of spine surgery as well as director of minimally invasive spine surgery at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital.
Pursuing a career in orthopaedic surgery seemed a natural fit to Dr. Lemma's background as a mechanical engineer. After completing his residency and fellowship training at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, he served as division chief of Johns Hopkins Orthopaedic and Spine Surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital, prior to transitioning to MedStar Orthopaedic Institute in 2014.
Dr. Lemma's areas of intellectual interest and clinical expertise center around minimally invasive spine surgery. Using tubular retractors in lieu of traditional open surgery, state-of-the-art technologies, and computer-assisted navigation allows Dr. Lemma to deliver to his patients the best solutions with the least amount of invasion. A large portion of his practice also focuses on spinal problems in the elderly, rheumatoid arthritis of the spine, spinal deformity, and revision spinal surgery.
Dr. Lemma remains active in resident and surgeon education, and was honored to be the recipient of the Teacher of the Year Award from the Johns Hopkins University Department of Orthopaedic Surgery in 2014. He has also been involved in developing innovative spine surgical techniques and new technologies and relates his experiences to other surgeons, both from the podium as well as in smaller teaching seminars. It has been a privilege for Dr. Lemma to be listed by both U.S. News and World Report's and Castle Connolly in their lists of Top Doctors in the U.S., as well as being named among the Top 100 Spine Surgeons in the U.S. by Becker's Healthcare. He was repeatedly named a Top Doctor by Baltimore magazine, most recently in 2023.
Clinical areas of focus
- Cervical Herniated Disc
- Cervical Radiculopathy
- Lumbar Disc Disease
- Lumbar Laminectomy And Fusion
- Lumbar Radiculopathy
- Median Nerve Decompression
- Robotic Assisted Spine Surgery
- Scoliosis
- Scoliosis Deformity Correction
- Spinal Disc Replacement
- Spinal Fusion
- Spinal Reconstruction Surgery
- Spinal Stenosis
- Spine Fracture Stabilization
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spondylosis
- Thigh Fracture
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abdomen, Lower Back, Pelvis, And Genital Injury
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Biomechanical Lesions
- Bone Density Disorder
- Bone Discontinuity
- Bone Disorders
- Brain Disorders
- Bursopathy
- Cervical Herniated Disc
- Cervical Radiculopathy
- Cervical Spine Osteoarthritis
- Congenital Musculoskeletal Deformities Of Head, Face, Spine And Chest
- Deforming Dorsopathies
- Dorsalgia
- Dorsopathies
- Failed Back Syndrome
- Fractures Of The Neck
- Head Injury
- Inflammatory Spondylopathies
- Intervertebral Disc Disorders
- Intraspinal Granuloma
- Joint Disorder
- Kyphosis
- Limb Deformity
- Lordosis
- Lumbar Disc Disease
- Lumbar Myelopathy
- Lumbar Radiculopathy
- Lumbar Spine Fracture
- Lumbar Spine Osteoarthritis
- Malignant Neoplasm Of Spinal Cord
- Mononeuropathy Of Lower Limb
- Muscle Disorders
- Musculoskeletal System Complications
- Neck Nerve And Spinal Cord Injury
- Neck Sprain
- Neoplasm Of Uncertain Behavior
- Nerve Root Disorders
- Nervous And Musculoskeletal Symptoms
- Nervous System Disorders
- Osteoporosis
- Paralytic Syndrome
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Rib And Sternum Fracture
- Scoliosis
- Shoulder Burns
- Skull Base Tumor
- Spinal Cord Diseases
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Spinal Disc Herniation
- Spinal Fusion Failure
- Spinal Infection
- Spinal Osteochondrosis
- Spinal Stenosis
- Spine Deformity
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spondylolysis
- Spondylopathies
- Spondylosis
- Thigh Fracture
- Thoracic Spine Instability
Procedures I perform
- Back Pain Treatment
- Cervical Corpectomy
- Cervical Facet Joint Denervation
- Cervical Laminectomy
- Cervical Spine Stabilization
- Cervical Vertebra Reposition
- Discectomy
- Endoscopic Spine Surgery
- Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion
- Fibula Osteotomy
- Flap Surgery
- Heel Tendon Repair
- Kyphoplasty
- Laminectomy
- Lumbar Laminectomy And Fusion
- Lumbar Spine Stabilization
- Median Nerve Decompression
- Microdiscectomy
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
- Ostectomy
- Pedicle Screw Fixation
- Percutaneous Discectomy
- Robotic Assisted Spine Surgery
- Scoliosis Deformity Correction
- Spinal Disc Replacement
- Spinal Fusion
- Spinal Instability Treatment
- Spinal Reconstruction Surgery
- Spinal Spondylolysis Treatment
- Spine Fracture Stabilization
- Spondylolysis Treatment
- Thoracic Spine Stabilization
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
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- CIGNA Indemnity
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Aetna Basic
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- TRICARE for Life East
- CareFirst NASCO
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- HighMark
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Choice POS II Open Access
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- First Health PPO
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Sentara Health
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Choice POS II
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- CIGNA PPO
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Choice POS
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Core Essential (HMO)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- OA Plus
- IH-Open POS II
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- IH-Indemnity
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Medicare Direct
- United Student Resources
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- IH-PPO
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Medicare FFS
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- CIGNA EPO
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- IH-POS Plus
- POS OA
- HumanaChoice PPO
- United Healthcare Choice
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Aetna HMO
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- IH-Network Only Plus
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- CareFirst EPO
- IH-Open HMO
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- CareFirst Administrators
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Optimum Choice
- TRICARE East Select
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Beech Street PPO
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- HealthyBlue PPO
- IH-EPO Plus
- IH-Open HMO Option
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Network OA
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- IH-POS
- UHC Passport
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- IH-HMO
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Aetna VA Exchange
- BlueChoice Open Access
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Choice Fund PPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Employee Health Plan
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Blue Choice Advantage
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Navigate
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- TRICARE East Prime
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Tricare Reserve Select
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- MultiPlan, Inc
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- First Health PPO
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
Videos
Education
Fellowship: Johns Hopkins University (2003)
Residency: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2002)
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry (1997)
Awards
- 2015-2021, 2023 Baltimore Magazine Top Doctors
- 2015-2016 Best Doctors in America
- 2014 Teacher of the Year Award, Johns Hopkins University, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
- 2014 Becker's Top Spine Surgeons in the US
- 2011 Becker's Top 100 Spine Surgeons in the US