Caren S. Palese, MD| Gastroenterology | MedStar Health
About me
Caren Palese, MD, is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology and is an Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. She is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology and is an Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. Dr. Palese completed her undergraduate studies at Princeton University and received her medical degree from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. She completed her internship and residency in Internal Medicine, followed by a three-year Gastroenterology fellowship at Georgetown University Medical Center.
Since 2014, she has been consistently chosen by her peers to be a Washingtonian Magazine’s Top Doc. She has been awarded the annual distinction of Castle Connolly Top Doctor since 2016. In addition, she has received the Castle Connolly Exceptional Women in Medicine Award. She was selected by the Washington Post Magazine to be a Rising Star in 2013.
Dr. Palese uses progressive techniques to diagnose and treat many esophageal disorders, such as GERD, eosinophilic esophagitis and Barrett’s esophagus. She is an expert in diseases of swallowing.
For the most effective care and optimal outcomes for her patients, Dr. Palese takes a multidisciplinary approach and often works closely with a team of specialists. In addition to her expertise in swallowing disorders, Barrett’s esophagus and gastrointestinal motility disorders, Dr. Palese performs precise screening colonoscopies for detecting colon cancer and flat polyps.
Beyond her passion for her work, Dr. Palese enjoys speaking German, running and skiing.
Clinical areas of focus
- Colonoscopy
- Enteroscopy
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) In Children
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) With Infection
- Intestinal Dysmotility
- Intestinal Stenosis
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Neonatal Abdominal Paracentesis
- Stomach Ulcers
- Upper Gi Endoscopy
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abdominal Distension
- Abdominal Pain
- Abnormal Body Structure Imaging
- Abnormal Stool
- Achalasia
- Acute Pancreatitis
- Alimentary Tract Foreign Body
- Anal Cancer
- Anal Fissures
- Anal Venous Thrombosis
- Anus And Rectum Diseases
- Aphagia
- Aphagia And Dysphagia
- Appendiceal Cancer
- Bacterial Agents
- Benign Neoplasm Of Colon, Rectum, Anus And Anal Canal
- Benign Neoplasm Of Digestive System
- Benign Tumor
- Biliary Tract Disease
- Bowel Obstruction
- Cancer Of The Appendix
- Candidiasis
- Carcinoma In Situ Of Digestive Organs
- Celiac Disease
- Choledocholithiasis
- Chronic Constipation
- Chronic Diarrhea
- Colitis
- Colon Cancer
- Colon Disease
- Colon Polyps
- Colonoscopy
- Colorectal Malignancy
- Complications Of Cardiac And Vascular Prosthetic Devices
- Congenital Malformations Of Esophagus
- Congenital Malformations Of Intestine
- Constipation
- Crohn's Disease
- Crohn's Disease [Regional Enteritis]
- Diaphragmatic Hernia
- Digestive System Cancer
- Digestive System Complications
- Digestive System Diseases
- Digestive System Symptoms
- Diseases Of Esophagus
- Diseases Of Stomach And Duodenum
- Disorders Of Carbohydrate Metabolism
- Diverticular Disease
- Duodenal Ulcer
- Duodenitis
- Dysphagia
- Esophageal Cancer
- Esophagitis
- Esophagus Diseases
- External Hemorrhoids
- Family History Of Malignant Neoplasm
- Family History Of Specific Disorders
- Flatulence
- Functional Intestinal Disorders
- Gallbladder Cancer
- Gastric Cancer
- Gastric Varices
- Gastritis
- Gastroenteritis
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) In Children
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding
- Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)
- General Symptoms
- Genetic Susceptibility To Disease
- Helicobacter Pylori
- Hemangioma
- Hemorrhoids
- Hemorrhoids And Perianal Venous Thrombosis
- Hepatomegaly And Splenomegaly
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) With Infection
- Intestinal Dysmotility
- Intestinal Infections
- Intestinal Stenosis
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Liver Cancer
- Liver Cirrhosis
- Liver Encephalopathy
- Liver Fibrosis
- Long Term Drug Therapy
- Malabsorption
- Malignant Neuroendocrine Tumors
- Noninfective Gastroenteritis
- Ovarian Cysts And Benign Neoplasms
- Pancreatic Diseases
- Pancreatitis
- Paralytic Ileus And Intestinal Obstruction
- Perianal Pain
- Peripheral Vascular Disease Of The Intestines
- Personal History Of Diseases And Conditions
- Polycystic Liver Disease
- Rectal Cancer
- Rectal Pain
- Regional Enteritis
- Small Intestine Cancer
- Stomach And Duodenum Diseases
- Stomach Cancer
- Stomach Diseases
- Stomach Ulcers
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Vascular Disorders Of Intestine
Procedures I perform
- Abdominal Ultrasound
- Ascending Colectomy
- Barium Enema
- Bladder Inspection
- Bowel Resection
- Capsule Endoscopy
- Cecostomy
- Colon Biopsy
- Colon Resection
- Colonoscopy
- Colonoscopy With Injection
- Colostomy
- Diarrhea Treatment
- EGD With Mucosal Resection
- Endoscopic Mucosal Resection
- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
- Enterectomy
- Enteroscopy
- Enteroscopy With Bleeding Control
- Esophageal Dilation
- Esophageal PH Monitoring
- Excision Of Cecum
- Excision Of Duodenum
- Excision Of Esophagus
- Excision Of Ileum
- Excision Of Large Intestine
- Excision Of Stomach
- Excision Of Stomach Pylorus
- Flexible Colonoscopy With Biopsy
- Gastric Manometry
- Gastric Plication
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Test
- Gastrointestinal Biopsy
- Gastrointestinal Motility Study
- Gastrointestinal Tube Placement
- Gastrostomy Tube Replacement
- Hemorrhage Control
- Hydrogen Breath Test
- Ileostomy
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Laparoscopic Splenectomy
- Liver Imaging
- Lower Esophagus Excision
- Lower Gi Endoscopy
- Motion Fluoroscopic Evaluation
- Neonatal Abdominal Paracentesis
- Percutaneous Cholecystostomy
- Percutaneous Liver Biopsy
- Rectal Excision
- Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
- Rigid Esophagoscopy With Balloon Dilation
- Robotic Hiatal Hernia Repair
- Sigmoid Colectomy
- Small Bowel Resection
- Small Intestine Cancer Surgery
- Sonohysterography
- Stent Placement
- Transrectal Ultrasound
- Upper Gi Endoscopy
- Upper Gi Series
- Urinary Incontinence Treatment
- Variceal Band Ligation
- Venous Ulcer Treatment
- Virtual Autopsy
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
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- POS OA
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- CareFirst NASCO
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- IH-PPO
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Beech Street PPO
- IH-Open POS II
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- UHC Passport
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Choice POS II
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Aetna Basic
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Aetna HMO
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Tricare Reserve Select
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Medicare FFS
- Navigate
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- IH-POS Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- IH-Open HMO
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- CIGNA EPO
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- TRICARE for Life East
- IH-Indemnity
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- United Student Resources
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- HumanaChoice PPO
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Medicare Direct
- HealthyBlue PPO
- CIGNA PPO
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Core Essential (HMO)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Administrators
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Employee Health Plan
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- First Health PPO
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Choice Fund PPO
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- IH-POS
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- CIGNA Indemnity
- TRICARE East Prime
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- United Healthcare Choice
- HighMark
- Sentara Health
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Police and Fire Clinic
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Network OA
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- IH-EPO Plus
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Choice POS II Open Access
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Choice POS
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- IH-HMO
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- First Health PPO
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- OA Plus
- CareFirst EPO
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Blue Choice Advantage
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- TRICARE East Select
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Optimum Choice
- Aetna VA Exchange
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology
Fellowship: Georgetown University Medical Center GME (2007)
Residency: Georgetown University Medical Center GME (2003)
Medical School: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (2000)
Awards
- Washingtonian Magazine’s Top Doc- yearly since 2014 Castle Connolly Top Doctor- yearly since 2016 Castle Connolly Exceptional Women in Medicine Award- 2019 to 2021 Washington Post Magazine, Rising Star in 2013