About me
Ato O. Wright, MD, PhD, is a board-certified radiation oncologist with over a decade of clinical experience providing precise, patient-centered care. His expertise encompasses the treatment of lymphomas, sarcomas, and cancers of the head and neck, gastrointestinal tract, breast, and gynecologic system. Beyond oncology, Dr. Wright provides specialized radiotherapy for benign conditions, including keloids and osteoarthritis, and performs intracoronary brachytherapy for complex cardiovascular cases.
During consultations, Dr. Wright partners with his patients to navigate the complexities of their diagnosis. By meticulously reviewing clinical records and imaging, he translates technical data into a clear, individualized care plan. He provides a comprehensive roadmap—from the nuances of treatment planning to the specifics of the therapy timeline—ensuring patients are fully informed at every step. Dr. Wright also welcomes second-opinion consultations, offering the clarity and perspective needed for patients to make confident, informed decisions about their health.
His published work focuses on minimizing radiation's impact on healthy tissues—specifically the heart, blood vessels, and spinal cord—to improve long-term outcomes for patients with complex tumors.
A global citizen who has lived across several continents and speaks multiple languages, Dr. Wright brings an international perspective to his practice that allows him to build deep, empathetic connections with patients from all backgrounds. Dr. Wright earned his MD and PhD in cellular and molecular biology from Pennsylvania State College of Medicine and completed his residency at Duke University Hospital.
Philosophy of Care
“When I meet with a patient, my goal is for them to feel seen, heard, and supported from the very beginning. Many people come to radiation oncology with worries or unanswered questions, so I start by learning what patients already understand about their diagnosis and what concerns matter most to them.
From there, I focus on clarity and trust. I walk patients through their imaging scans and explain them in a way that feels manageable. We discuss why radiation is being recommended, how it fits with surgery or chemotherapy, and what the day to day experience will look like. I also take time to explain the intent of treatment—whether we’re aiming to cure the cancer, control it, or ease symptoms—so patients feel informed and prepared at every step.
My commitment to care extends beyond the clinic. I stay involved in community outreach, education, and advocacy because I want people to feel comfortable seeking care early and to know that trusted support exists close to home. Whether I’m speaking with a support group, participating in school career events, or engaging in health focused initiatives, I see these efforts as an important way to help patients and their families feel connected throughout their healthcare journeys'
About MedStar Georgetown Cancer Institute
MedStar Washington Hospital Center is part of the MedStar Georgetown Cancer Institute, which combines medical expertise, the latest therapies, and research across MedStar Health. Our research engine, the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in the Washington, D.C., region. This partnership means we provide access to cutting-edge clinical trials and the latest breakthroughs in cancer care.
Procedures I perform
- Breast Biopsy
- Colorectal Cancer Treatment
- Intrafraction Tracking Motion
- Intraoperative Radiation Therapy
- Lymphoma Treatment
- Radiation Dosimetry Calculation
- Special Dosimetry
- Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy For Brain Tumors
- Telemedicine Visit
- Whole Breast Radiation Therapy
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
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Aetna Basic
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- POS OA
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- IH-Open POS II
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Network OA
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- OA Plus
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- MultiPlan, Inc
- HighMark
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Choice POS II
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- CIGNA PPO
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- IH-Open HMO
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- CIGNA EPO
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- First Health PPO
- Optimum Choice
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- IH-HMO
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Aetna HMO
- TRICARE for Life East
- CareFirst NASCO
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Employee Health Plan
- Medicare FFS
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Beech Street PPO
- United Healthcare Choice
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- UHC Passport
- United Student Resources
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Choice Fund PPO
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Navigate
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- First Health PPO
- Aetna Classic 3500
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- IH-EPO Plus
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Police and Fire Clinic
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Medicare Direct
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- IH-POS
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Aetna VA Exchange
- IH-Network Only Plus
- IH-PPO
- IH-POS Plus
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- TRICARE East Select
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- TRICARE East Prime
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- IH-Indemnity
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Sentara Health
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- CareFirst Administrators
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Core Essential (HMO)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst EPO
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Choice POS
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Radiology, Radiation Oncology
Residency: Duke University School of Medicine (2015)
Medical School: Pennsylvania State University (2010)
