About me
Dr. Francisco Espinel is a board-certified general surgeon at Medstar Montgomery Medical Center with over 10 years of experience in general, breast and acute care surgery. Growing up in the D.C. metropolitan area, he has deep ties to the community and enjoys taking care of patients from Maryland, DC and Virginia. He is a second generation physician who grew up learning medicine from his father, an accomplished Nephrologist and Cardiologist.
Dr. Espinel is an assistant professor of surgery at Georgetown University. He is committed to the education of medical students, residents, and staff.
At MedStar Montgomery Medical Center he is part of a diverse general surgery team who treat a wide range of general surgical issues from the simplest to most complex general surgery cases.
Dr. Espinel enjoys a wide variety of general surgery cases from robotic davinci, minimily invasive surgery and open surgery to small procedures done in the office setting.
Dr. Espinel completed high school at Gonzaga College High School and his undergraduate degree from Catholic University of America. He then attended medical school at the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara. He completed his general surgery residency at George Washington University and fellowship at Columbia University Medical Center.
Clinical areas of focus
- Abdominal Wall Reconstruction
- Cholecystectomy
- Hernia Repair
- Incisional Hernia
- Inguinal Hernia Repair
- Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abdominal Abscess
- Abdominal Adhesions
- Abdominal Wall Defect
- Appendicitis
- Biliary Colic
- Cholecystitis
- Cholelithiasis
- Epigastric Hernia
- Epiploic Appendagitis
- Esophageal Atresia
- Esophageal Diverticulum
- Femoral Hernia
- Fistula Enterocutaneous
- Gallbladder Disease
- Gallbladder Fistula
- Hernia
- Incarcerated Hernia
- Incisional Hernia
- Inguinal Hernia
- Internal Hernia
- Intestinal Fistula
- Intestinal Obstruction
- Leg Wound
- Nipple Diseases
- Parastomal Hernia
- Rectus Sheath Hernia
- Recurrent Femoral Hernia
- Recurrent Hernia
- Reducible Hernia
- Richter Hernia
- Small Bowel Obstruction
- Spigelian Hernia
- Stomach Fistula
- Stomach Masses
- Stomal Hernia
- Umbilical Hernia
- Ventral Hernia
Procedures I perform
- Abdominal Surgery
- Abdominal Wall Reconstruction
- Breast Surgery
- Cervical Lymph Node Biopsy
- Change Of Gastrotomy Tube
- Cholecystectomy
- Closure Of Enterostomy
- Complex Hernia Repair
- Components Separation
- Da Vinci
- Da Vinci Abdominal Wall Hernia Repair
- Da Vinci Hernia Repair
- Da Vinci Incisional Hernia Repair
- Da Vinci Inguinal Hernia Repair
- Da Vinci Ventral Hernia Repair
- Enterectomy
- Enterolysis
- Excision Mole
- Excision Of Cervical Lymph Node
- Excision Of Cystic Hygroma Axillary Or Cervical
- Excision Of Tumor
- Feeding Tube Management
- Feeding Tube Placement
- Feeding Tube Removal
- Fetal Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) Repair
- Gastric Ulcer Surgery
- Gastrostomy Closure Surgery
- Hernia Repair
- Hidden Scar Breast Cancer Surgery
- Imperforate Anus Repair
- Inguinal Hernia Repair
- Laparoscopic Appendectomy
- Laparoscopic Bowel Resection
- Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
- Laparoscopic Diaphragmatic Hernia Repair
- Laparoscopic Hernia Repair
- Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair
- Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair
- Laparoscopic Recurrent Hernia Repair
- Laparoscopic Treatment Of Small Bowel Obstruction
- Laparoscopic Umbilical Herniorrhaphy
- Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair
- Laparoscopy
- Lysis Of Adhesions
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Preoperative Progressive Pneumoperitoneum
- Reduction Of Volvulus
- Repair Of Paracolostomy Hernia
- Robotic Appendectomy
- Robotic Gastrostomy
- Robotic Lymph Node Biopsy
- Robotic Surgery For Small Bowel Obstruction
- Robotic Umbilical Herniorrhaphy
- Ventral Hernia Repair
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
- Blue Choice Advantage & Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans/ UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans HMO, POS, PPO
- United Healthcare Options (PPO) (includes Empire PPO, GEHA, Compass Rose)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv/Special Needs Plans
- UHC Community Plan of MD
- Private Health Care Systems (PHCS) (PPO)
- Medicare Fee for Service
- Kaiser Virginia Premier
- Kaiser PermanenteSelect-Added Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Signature-Added Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus (Medicare Supplemental Plan)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS
- Kaiser MD Medicaid MCO
- Cigna HealthSpring Medicare Advantage
- CFBCBS Federal Employee Program (Std/Basic PPO/Blue Focus)
- CFBCBS EPO
- Aetna Better Health of Maryland
- United Healthcare Choice
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Choice Fund PPO
- POS OA & OA Plus
- Innovation Health: Open POS Plus
- Open EPO Plus
- Innovation Health: PPO
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Aetna HMO
- Opoen HMO Option
- Innovation Health: Open Network Only Plus
- Network OA
- Innovation Health: Indemnity
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- CFBSBC Blue Preferred PPO
- Open HMO
- CFBCBS Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Innovation Health: POS
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Open POS II
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- PPO and PPO Plus
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- CIGNA HMO Open Access (OA)
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Aetna Innovations: HMO & EPO Plus
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Choice POS & Choice POS II
- BlueChoice Open Access
- CIGNA EPO
- Innovation Health: POS Plus
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) & OCI Direct (HMO)
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- United Student Resources
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Tricare for Life (Medicare Supplemental Plan)
- Tricare Prime
- MedStar Select (MedStar Associates' Plan)
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- FIRST HEALTH
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- First Health PPO
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- CFBCBS (NCA) Indemnity
- CFBCBS Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- CFBCBS Maryland Point of Service Plan (MPOS)
- CFBCBS Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- CFBCBS BlueChoice HMO
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund) Innovation Health: Network Only Plus
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Surgery, Surgery
Fellowship Program: Columbia University Medical Center (2010)
Residency Program: George Washington University Hospital (2009)
Residency Program: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (2007)
Residency Program: Pennsylvania Hospital (2005)
Internship Program: St. Vincents Hospital-Manhattan (2003)
Medical School: New York Medical College (2002)
Medical School: Universidad Autonoma De Guadalajara (1999)
Awards
- Top Doctor Washingtonian Magazine: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
- Top Doctor Virginia Living Magazine: 2020
- Top Doctor Northern Virginia Magazine: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Hospital affiliations
News and publications
https://www.washingtonian.com/best/doctors/search/awards/2020%20Top%20Doctor/
PUBLICATIONS
Implications of Clostridium septicum in Vascular Surgery: A Case Report and Outcomes Literature Review. Alimi Y, Sosin M, Borsinger TM, Garrett JR, Salameh JR, Espinel CF. Ann Vasc Surg. 2017 Aug; Review. PMID: 28479472
Performance and Practice Guideline for the Use of Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy in the Management of Breast Cancer. Holmes D, Colfry A, Czerniecki B, Dickson-Witmer D, Espinel CF, Feldman E, Gallagher K, Greenup R, Herrmann V, Kuerer H, Malik M, Manahan E, O'Neill J, Patel M, Sebastian M, Wheeler A, Kass R. Ann Surg Oncol. 2015 Oct; PMID: 26224406
The hepatic buttress: A novel surgical technique to treat an intrapericardial diaphragmatic defect after hybrid myocardial ablation. Chapman WC Jr, Sosin M, Salameh JR, Espinel CF. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2015 Jul; PMID: 25957456
MammaPrint Feasibility in a Large Tertiary Urban Medical Center: An Initial Experience. Espinel CF, Keating S, Hibshoosh H, Taback B, Joseph KA, El-Tamer M, Feldman S. Scientifica (Cairo). 2012; PMID: 24278759
Laparoscopy for stage IV melanoma in two organs. Kasza J, Espinel CF, Khambaty F, Bashir S, Brody F.Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. 2010 Aug; PMID: 20729707
Percutaneous balloon occlusion of the inferior vena cava as an adjunct for treating ruptured type IV thoracoabdominal aneurysm and aortocaval fistula. Espinel CF, Calligaro KD, Dougherty MJ.J Vasc Surg. 2006 Apr; PMID: 16616245
Which adolescents are most receptive to tobacco industry marketing? implications for counteradvertising campaigns.Audrain-McGovern J, Tercyak KP, Shields AE, Bush A, Espinel CF, Lerman C. Health Commun. 2003;15(4):499-513.PMID: 14527869
PRESENTATIONS & POSTERS
Espinel CF, El-Tamer, M., Tabak, B., Jospeh, KA., Feldman, S. MammaPrint feasibility in a large academic medical center: initial experience. Poster presentation. American Society of Breast Surgeons. 11th Annual Meeting. Las Vegas, Nevada. May 2010.
Espinel CF, Feldman S, Mitchel S. Nipple sparing mastectomy: Instruction Video. Comprehensive Online Archived Care Heuristic. Online Medical Education Training Paradigm. Columbia University Medical Center. Department of Surgery. April 2010.
Ruotolo RA, Espinel CF, Solot CB, McDonald-McGinn DM, Zackai EH, Kirschner RE. Velar motion and VPI treatment outcomes in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Oral Presentation. Ivy Society Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA. June 2006.
Ruotolo RA, Espinel CF, LaRossa D, Kirschner RE. Lip Adhesion and nasal conformers: staging cleft lip repair to optimize outcome. Oral Presentation. First Annual Whitaker Lectureship, Philadelphia, PA. May 2006.
Espinel CF, Cabiling D, Kirshner R. The role of TGF-b in syndromic and non-syndromic craniosynostosis. Oral and Poster Presentation at the Plastic Surgery Research Council Meeting, Loma Linda, California, May 2006.
Ruotolo R, Espinel CF, Kirschner R. Lip adhesion and nasal conformers: staging cleft lip repair to optimize outcome. Poster Presentation. American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. Vancouver BC, Canada. April 2006.
Ruotolo RA, Espinel CF, LaRossa D, Kirschner RE. Lip adhesion and nasal conformers: staging cleft lip repair to optimize outcome. Poster Presentation. Vancouver, BC Canada. April 2006.
Ruotolo RA, Espinel CF, Solot CB, McDonald-McGinn DM, Zackai EH, Kirschner RE. Velar motion and VPI treatment outcomes in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Oral and Poster Presentation. Vancouver, BC Canada. April 2006.
Ruotolo R, Espinel CF, Solot C., McDonald-McGinn D, Zackai E, Kirschner R. Velar motion and VPI treatment outcomes in 22Q11.2 deletion syndrome. Oral Presentation. Senior Resident Conference. Arlington, Va. March 2006.
Espinel CF, Tercyak KP, Audrain J. The influence of demographics, environmental smoking exposure, and sports participation on levels of adolescent tobacco use. Poster presentation at The Georgetown University Lombardi Cancer Center Annual Research Fair, Washington, DC. June 2001.
Tercyak KP, Espinel CF, Audrain J. ADHD symptomatology, cigarette smoking, and evidence for common bio-behavioral mechanisms of association. Poster presentation at the Bi-annual Florida Conference on Child Psychology, Gainesville, FL. May 2001.
INVITED LECTURES
Virginia Hospital Center Bariatric Symposium, “Surgical Emergencies in the Bariatric Patient” Virginia Hospital Center; Arlington, VA, 2019
Medical Resident Conference, “Abdominal Pain/Acute Abdomen” Virginia Hospital Center; Arlington, VA, 2018 & 2017
Surgical Grand Rounds, “Acute Care Surgery: In the Private Practice Setting” Virginia Hospital Center; Arlington, VA, 2014
“Update in Breast Cancer and Breast Disease” St. Stephen Lutheran Church; Silver Spring, MD, 2012 Surgical Grand Rounds,
“Nipple Sparring Mastectomy” Holy Cross Hospital; Silver Spring, MD, 2010
Women at Risk Benefit, “The Latest in Breast Cancer Research” New York, NY, 2010
Breast Cancer Awareness Day, “Breast Cancer Update” Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP; New York, NY, 2009
Go-Pink Invited Speaker of the Year, “Risk Factors in Breast Cancer” Rye Country Day High School; Rye, NY, 2009