About me
Christine Trankiem Wall, MD, is a board-certified general surgeon and critical care surgeon. She is the Chief of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and Regional Chief of the same for MedStar Health. Dr. Trankiem serves as State Chair for the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma and participates in the education of medical students, physicians in training, and peers. She is a member of the Medical Board and Medical Executive Committee of the hospital.
Dr. Trankiem specializes in trauma, general surgery including gastrointestinal and bowel surgery, and surgical critical care. Her clinical interests include robotic surgery, rib and sternal fracture fixation, gastrointestinal surgery, necrotizing acute soft tissue infections (or flesh eating bacteria), critical events team training and communication, and community violence prevention and outreach. As Chief of the Gold Acute Care Surgery Team at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Dr. Trankiem has an added level of expertise in taking care of patients with seemingly straightforward general surgery issues that may develop into critical care needs. Patients who come to MedStar for care will also be treated by other physicians in the Gold Acute Care Surgery Team, in addition to being treated by Dr. Trankiem.
Dr. Trankiem earned her undergraduate degree from the Honors College at the University of Pittsburgh, pursued post-baccalaureate studies at the University of Pennsylvania, and obtained her medical degree from MCP Hahnemann School of Medicine. She completed her general surgery residency at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia and completed her fellowship training with the Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care at Los Angeles County Hospital at the University of Southern California.
Born and raised in the Philadelphia area, Dr. Trankiem came to Washington, DC for the opportunity to provide advanced trauma and surgical care to area residents. Dr. Trankiem is an advocate for team care. Data shows that a team always outperforms an individual. For this reason, she is passionate about surgical education and critical events team training. When not searching for innovative approaches to care for trauma patients, Dr. Trankiem enjoys spending time with her husband and son hiking, white water rafting, and adventure travelling.
Philosophy of Care
“Mental wellness, spiritual well-being, nutrition, social work and physical therapy are all essential in order to bring the patient as a whole to their best state of health. Through this philosophy, I bring care to my patients in a compassionate and thoughtful way. Communication is the cornerstone of my practice. It is important to me to not only educate and update the patient in order to address their disease but to also communicate with their families.”
Clinical areas of focus
- Damage Control Surgery
- Gynecologic Laparotomy
- Hemorrhagic Shock Resuscitation
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abdomen, Lower Back, Pelvis, And Genital Injury
- Abdomen, Lower Back, Pelvis, And Genital Open Wound
- Abdominal Hernia
- Abnormal Breathing
- Acute Cholecystitis
- Acute Pancreatitis
- Anal Abscess
- Aneurysm
- Ankle And Foot Fracture
- Aortic Aneurysm
- Artery Disorders
- Artificial Openings Complications
- Bacterial Pneumonia
- Biliary Tract Disease
- Bleeding Disorders
- Body Region Injury
- Brain Disorders
- Burn Injuries
- Chest Burn And Corrosion
- Choledocholithiasis
- Chronic Appendicitis
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Colon Disease
- Complications Of Cardiac And Vascular Prosthetic Devices
- Complications Of Procedures
- Cutaneous Abscess, Furuncle And Carbuncle
- Diaphragmatic Hernia
- Digestive System Complications
- Digestive System Symptoms
- Diseases Of Stomach And Duodenum
- Disorders Of White Blood Cells
- Diverticular Disease
- Duodenal Ulcer
- Early Complications Of Trauma
- Finger, Hand, And Wrist Open Wound
- Functional Intestinal Disorders
- Head, Face, And Neck Burn And Corrosion
- Hip And Thigh Blood Vessel Injury
- Hip And Thigh Open Wound
- Hip And Thigh Tendon Injury
- Incisional Hernia
- Intrathoracic Organ Injury
- Knee And Leg Open Wound
- Leg Amputation
- Lower Leg And Ankle Fracture
- Lower Leg Blood Vessel Injury
- Lumbar Spine Fracture
- Muscle Disorders
- Myocarditis
- Neck Injury
- Paralytic Ileus And Intestinal Obstruction
- Pelvic Organ Injury
- Peripheral Vascular Disease Of The Intestines
- Peritoneum Disorders
- Pleural Disease
- Pneumothorax And Air Leak
- Postprocedural States
- Respiratory Disorders
- Retroperitoneum Disorders
- Rib And Sternum Fracture
- Shock
- Shoulder And Upper Arm Blood Vessel Injury
- Shoulder And Upper Arm Tendon Injury
- Shoulder And Upper Limb Burn
- Shoulder Open Wound
- Skull Fractures
- Superficial Abdomen Injury
- Tendinous Disorders
- Thoracic Cavity Open Wound
- Thorax Blood Vessel Injury
- Vascular Disorders Of Intestine
- Venous Embolism
- Ventral Hernia
- Wrist And Hand Burn And Corrosion
- Wrist And Hand Joint And Ligament Dislocation And Sprain
Procedures I perform
- Abdomen Skin Repair
- Abdominal Aorta Restriction
- Abdominal Wall Infection Drainage
- Abdominal Wall Stoma Repair
- Abdominal Wall Supplement
- Abdominal Wall Tumor Resection
- Appendix Resection
- Buttock Subcutaneous Tissue Excision
- Chest Skin Repair
- Colocutaneous Anastomosis
- Colostomy
- Control Gastrointestinal Tract Bleeding
- Control Peritoneal Cavity Bleeding
- Cyst Decortication
- Cystorrhaphy, Simple
- Damage Control Surgery
- Descending Colectomy
- Duplex Scan Of Upper Extremity Arteries
- Endoscopic Inspection Of Tracheobronchial Tree
- Enterectomy
- Enterocele Repair
- Enteroscopy
- Escharotomy
- Excision Of Large Intestine
- Excision Of Pancreas
- Excision Of Stomach
- Fasciotomy
- Gallbladder Resection
- Ganglion Cyst Excision
- Gastrocutaneous Fistula Takedown
- Gastrointestinal Lavage
- Gastrointestinal Trauma Treatment
- Gastrointestinal Tube Placement
- Gastrorrhaphy, Suture Of Perforated Duodenal Or Gastric Ulcer
- Gastrostomy
- Gastrostomy, Open
- Gynecologic Laparotomy
- Hemorrhage Control
- Hemorrhagic Shock Resuscitation
- Hemothorax Evacuation
- Hepatic Artery Infusion
- Hepatic Artery Occlusion
- Incision And Drainage Of Bartholin's Gland Abscess
- Incision And Removal Of Foreign Body
- Insertion Of Infusion Device Into Lower Vein
- Intraaortic Balloon Pump Placement
- Ischiorectal Abscess Drainage
- IVC Filter Placement
- Jejunostomy
- Jejunum Resection
- Jejunum Supplement
- Jejunum To Ileum Bypass
- Jejunum Transplant
- Laparoscopic Splenectomy
- Left Abdomen Muscle Excision
- Leg Muscle Excision
- Liver Drainage With Catheter
- Liver Packing Removal
- Lower Arm Skin Excision
- Lumpectomy With Radiation
- Omentum Release
- Partial Colectomy
- Percutaneous Cholecystostomy
- Percutaneous Pseudocyst Drainage
- Pericardial Cavity Drainage
- Peritoneal Cavity Drainage
- Pleural Cavity Drainage
- Rectal Excision
- Rectum Resection
- Repair Left Lower Leg Subcutaneous Tissue
- Repair Of Anterior Abdominal Hernia
- Revision Synthetic Substitute
- Saline Contrast Study
- Sigmoid Colon Resection
- Small Intestine Cancer Surgery
- Small Intestine Repair
- Spleen Resection
- Splenectomy
- Splenic Flexure Mobilization
- Stomach Drainage
- Subclavian Artery Extirpation
- Thoracic Aortography
- Thoracostomy
- Thoracotomy With Therapeutic Wedge Resection
- Total Colectomy
- Tracheostomy
- Transplant Pneumonectomy
- Transverse Colon Resection
- Tube Thoracostomy
- Venous Access Device Removal
- Veno-Venous Bypass
- Ventral Hernia Repair With Mesh
- Ventriculostomy
- Whole Lung Lavage
- Wound Dressing Change
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
- IH-EPO Plus
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Choice POS
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- HighMark
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- TRICARE East Select
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- CIGNA Indemnity
- First Health PPO
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Sentara Health
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- CIGNA PPO
- Medicare FFS
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Aetna HMO
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- CareFirst NASCO
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- United Healthcare Choice
- IH-Indemnity
- POS OA
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- IH-Open POS II
- IH-POS Plus
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- CIGNA EPO
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Beech Street PPO
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- TRICARE East Prime
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Choice POS II
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- IH-Open POS Plus
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Aetna Basic
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Tricare Reserve Select
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- UHC Passport
- Optimum Choice
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- CareFirst EPO
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Blue Choice Advantage
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- IH-HMO
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Navigate
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Medicare Direct
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- First Health PPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Network OA
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Choice POS II Open Access
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Choice Fund PPO
- HumanaChoice PPO
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- United Student Resources
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- CareFirst Administrators
- IH-Open HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- TRICARE for Life East
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- MultiPlan, Inc
- IH-POS
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Police and Fire Clinic
- IH-PPO
- OA Plus
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Employee Health Plan
- Aetna Better Health of MD
Education
Board Certification:
Board Certification:
Fellowship: University of Southern California School of Medicine (2007)
Residency: Temple University Hospital (2006)
Medical School: Hahnemann University Hospital-CLOSED (2001)