About me
Cristina Merkhofer, MD, MHS, is a medical oncologist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. She specializes in treating head and neck cancers, including squamous cell carcinoma, salivary gland cancers, and thyroid cancers. She also specializes in thoracic cancers, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and thymic malignancies.
As a medical oncologist, Dr. Merkhofer oversees medication-based treatments for cancer, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies. She collaborates with colleagues in radiation oncology, surgery, and other medical specialties to develop personalized treatment plans for her patients. She cares deeply about making her patients feel heard and giving them enough information to make the best decisions for themselves and their families.
Dr. Merkhofer graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania before earning a Master of Health Science in international health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She obtained her MD at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. She completed her residency in internal medicine and participated in the Global Health and Underserved Populations track at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Merkhofer then completed a fellowship in hematology and oncology at the University of Washington/Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. She is board-certified in internal medicine and medical oncology.
With a strong background in global health and health services research, Dr. Merkhofer strives to improve access to oncology care in the DC area and bring promising new therapies to her patients. For her prior research in advanced lung cancer, she has been honored with a 2020 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Young Investigator Award, a 2020 Conquer Cancer Merit Award, and the Stork Petersdorf Lung Cancer Research Award. She is an active member of ASCO and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer.
Philosophy of Care
“I believe that the physician-patient relationship is sacred. I see my patients as whole people with unique goals, histories, and challenges, and not just defined by their illness. My goal is to help my patients understand their illness and to provide strong support so that they can make the best health decisions for themselves and their families. I am committed to bringing the latest treatments to my patients and to improving access to oncology care in the DC area.”
About MedStar Georgetown Cancer Institute
MedStar Washington and MedStar Georgetown are part of the MedStar Georgetown Cancer Institute, which combines medical expertise, the latest therapies, and research across MedStar Health. Our research engine, the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in the Washington, D.C., region. This partnership means we provide access to cutting-edge clinical trials and the latest breakthroughs in cancer care.
Clinical areas of focus
- Blood Clotting Disorder Treatment
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Treatment
- Lung Cancer Treatment
- Oncology Consultation
- Prostate Cancer Treatment
- Tumor Marker Testing
Procedures I perform
- Anemia Management
- Antiangiogenic Therapy
- Blood Cell Count
- Blood Chemistry Test
- Blood Clot Treatment
- Blood Clotting Disorder Treatment
- Blood Disorder Diagnosis
- Blood Transfusion
- Bone Cancer Staging
- Breast Cancer Treatment
- Cancer Clinical Trial Management
- Cancer Genetics Evaluation
- Cancer Pain Management
- Cancer Rehabilitation
- Cancer Risk Assessment
- Cancer Treatment
- Chemotherapy Administration
- Clinical Trials
- Coagulopathy Management
- Colorectal Cancer Treatment
- Cushing Syndrome Management
- Deep Vein Thrombosis Management
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Treatment
- Genetic Counseling
- Heart Pacemaker Implantation
- Hematology Consultation
- Hepatic Artery Infusion
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Intravenous (IV) Fluids
- Intravenous Antibiotics
- Leukemia Treatment
- Liver Disease Consultation
- Lung Cancer Treatment
- Lymph Node Biopsy
- Lymphoma Management
- Lymphoma Treatment
- Magnesium Imbalance Treatment
- Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplant
- Multiple Myeloma Treatment
- Neutropenia Management
- Newborn Screening Tests
- Nonautologous Platelets Transfusion
- Nonautologous Red Blood Cells Transfusion
- Oncology Consultation
- Pain Management Consultation
- Palliative Care Consultation
- Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation
- Prolotherapy Infusions
- Prostate Cancer Treatment
- Red Blood Cell Transfusion
- Sickle Cell Anemia Treatment
- Surgical Oncology Surgery
- Thrombophilia Management
- Tumor Marker Testing
- Vitamin Deficiency Management
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
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- IH-Indemnity
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- CIGNA Indemnity
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Navigate
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- First Health PPO
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Aetna Classic 3500
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Blue Choice Advantage
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- United Student Resources
- IH-Open HMO
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- CIGNA PPO
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- CareFirst NASCO
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- CIGNA EPO
- Aetna HMO
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Beech Street PPO
- TRICARE East Select
- UHC Passport
- HighMark
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- OA Plus
- IH-POS
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Choice POS
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- IH-Open POS II
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- HumanaChoice PPO
- IH-HMO
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- First Health PPO
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- POS OA
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Sentara Health
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- IH-EPO Plus
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Employee Health Plan
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Optimum Choice
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- CareFirst EPO
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Aetna VA Exchange
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Medicare FFS
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- TRICARE East Prime
- Medicare Direct
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- IH-POS Plus
- United Healthcare Choice
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Aetna Basic
- Choice Fund PPO
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- BlueChoice Open Access
- CareFirst Administrators
- TRICARE for Life East
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Network OA
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Aetna Classic 5000
- IH-Network Only Plus
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Choice POS II
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- IH-PPO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Hematology
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology
Fellowship: University of Washington School of Medicine (2020)
Residency: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine-GME (2017)
Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health (2014)