Christine T Trankiem, MD
Provider is directly employed by MedStar Health
Provider is directly employed by MedStar HealthSpecialties: General Surgery, Surgical Critical Care, Trauma Surgery
Languages: English
(202) 877-3173
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
- CIGNA PPO
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Medicare FFS
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- CareFirst NASCO
- Medicare Direct
- First Health PPO
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- IH-POS Plus
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Choice Fund PPO
- First Health PPO
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Optimum Choice
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- IH-PPO
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- IH-Open HMO Option
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Choice POS
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Navigate
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- HighMark
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Network OA
- United Healthcare Choice
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Choice POS II Open Access
- IH-Open POS II
- Aetna Basic
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- HumanaChoice PPO
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Beech Street PPO
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- United Student Resources
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- CareFirst Administrators
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- CareFirst EPO
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Blue Choice Advantage
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- MultiPlan, Inc
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- OA Plus
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- IH-EPO Plus
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- IH-HMO
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Choice POS II
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Aetna HMO
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Aetna VA Exchange
- IH-Indemnity
- TRICARE East Select
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- POS OA
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Aetna Classic 5000
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- CIGNA Indemnity
- CIGNA EPO
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- UHC Passport
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- IH-Open HMO
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- TRICARE for Life East
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- TRICARE East Prime
- Sentara Health
- IH-POS
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Police and Fire Clinic
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Employee Health Plan
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Surgery, General Surgery
Board Certification: American Board of Surgery, Surgical Critical Care
Fellowship: University of Southern California School of Medicine (2007)
Residency: Temple University Hospital (2006)
Medical School: Hahnemann University Hospital-CLOSED (2001)