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
- Acute Cholecystitis
- Diaphragmatic Hernia
- Enterectomy
- Incisional Hernia
- Robotic Hiatal Hernia Repair
- Ventral Hernia
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abdomen, Lower Back, Pelvis, And Genital Injury
- Abdomen, Lower Back, Pelvis, And Genital Open Wound
- Abnormal Breast Imaging
- Abnormal Function Study Results
- Accessory Sinuses Cancer
- Acquired Absence Of Organs
- Acute Cholecystitis
- Acute Pancreatitis
- Anal Abscess
- Artificial Openings Complications
- Benign Neoplasm Of Skin
- Benign Tumor
- Biliary Tract Disease
- Body Region Injury
- Breast Disorders
- Breast Inflammation
- Breast Lump
- Choledocholithiasis
- Chronic Appendicitis
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Colon Disease
- Complications Of Cardiac And Vascular Prosthetic Devices
- Complications Of Procedures
- Congenital Malformations Of Breast
- Crohn's Disease [Regional Enteritis]
- Cutaneous Abscess, Furuncle And Carbuncle
- Diaphragmatic Hernia
- Digestive System Complications
- Digestive System Symptoms
- Diseases Of Appendix
- Diseases Of Stomach And Duodenum
- Dorsalgia
- Family History Of Malignant Neoplasm
- Female Genital Tract Fistulae
- Femoral Hernia
- Functional Intestinal Disorders
- Hemorrhoids And Perianal Venous Thrombosis
- Incisional Hernia
- Intrathoracic Organ Injury
- Knee And Leg Open Wound
- Mammary Dysplasia
- Muscle Disorders
- Myocarditis
- Ovarian Cysts And Benign Neoplasms
- Papillary Carcinoma Of Breast
- Paralytic Ileus And Intestinal Obstruction
- Peripheral Vascular Disease Of The Intestines
- Peritoneum Disorders
- Pilar Cysts
- Pleural Disease
- Postprocedural States
- Rib And Sternum Fracture
- Shoulder And Upper Arm Tendon Injury
- Skin And Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders
- Skin Swelling And Lumps
- Spinal Stenosis
- Tendinous Disorders
- Uncertain Behavior Of Prostate Lesions
- Vascular Disorders Of Intestine
- Ventral Hernia
Procedures I perform
- Abdominal Wall Stoma Repair
- Appendix Resection
- Axillary Lymph Node Excision
- Breast Cyst Removal
- Breast Lesion Excision With Radiological Marker
- Cauterization Of Granulation Tissue
- Cholecystectomy
- Colectomy
- Da Vinci Gastrectomy
- Endoscopy
- Enterectomy
- Enterocele Repair
- Esophagectomy
- Excision Jejunum
- Excision Of Small Intestine
- Gallbladder Resection
- Gastrectomy
- Gastric Plication
- Gastric Sleeve With Duodenal Switch
- Gastrorrhaphy, Suture Of Perforated Duodenal Or Gastric Ulcer
- Gynecologic Laparotomy
- Heller Myotomy
- Hernia Repair
- Iliopopliteal Bypass
- Incision And Drainage Of Abscess
- Incision And Drainage Of Bartholin's Gland Abscess
- Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy With Cholangiography
- Laparoscopic Splenectomy
- Laparoscopy
- Modified Radical Mastectomy
- Partial Colectomy
- Percutaneous Cholecystostomy
- Peritoneal Cavity Drainage
- Repair Of Anterior Abdominal Hernia
- Robotic Hiatal Hernia Repair
- Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping
- Sigmoid Colectomy
- Simple Mastectomy
- Skin Debridement
- Small Intestine Cancer Surgery
- Small Intestine Repair
- Splenectomy
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
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- IH-Open HMO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Police and Fire Clinic
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- BlueChoice Open Access
- CIGNA Indemnity
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- TRICARE East Prime
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Sentara Health
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- First Health PPO
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Optimum Choice
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- IH-Network Only Plus
- IH-POS
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Aetna VA Exchange
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- IH-Open POS Plus
- IH-Open POS II
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- IH-POS Plus
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- IH-PPO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- IH-Indemnity
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Blue Choice Advantage
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- IH-EPO Plus
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Choice Fund PPO
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- CIGNA EPO
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- TRICARE East Select
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- UHC Passport
- Choice POS II
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Beech Street PPO
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- OA Plus
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- CareFirst Administrators
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- HumanaChoice PPO
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Network OA
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Medicare FFS
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Employee Health Plan
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Choice POS
- First Health PPO
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- CIGNA PPO
- Medicare Direct
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Aetna HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Aetna Basic
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- IH-Open HMO Option
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- TRICARE for Life East
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- POS OA
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- IH-HMO
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- United Student Resources
- CareFirst EPO
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Navigate
- Choice POS II Open Access
- HighMark
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- United Healthcare Choice
- CareFirst NASCO
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Surgery, General Surgery
Fellowship: Columbia University Irving Medical Center (2010)
Residency: George Washington University Hospital (2009)
Residency: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (2007)
Residency: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (2005)
Internship: St. Vincent's Hospital & Medical Center (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
Urgent care 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