Issam Essa Cheikh, MD| Endocrinology Diabetes and Metabolism, Internal Medicine | MedStar Health
About me
Issam Cheikh, MD, FACP, FACE, is Emeritus Chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism and director of the Diabetes and Endocrine Center at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital. After completing his residency training in internal medicine at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, Dr. Cheikh completed his fellowship in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at the University of Maryland.
He founded the Division of Endocrinology at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital and developed the endocrinology fellowship training program along with one of the largest diabetes and endocrine practices in the region. Dr. Cheikh has directed the longest-running annual diabetes symposium of its kind since 1976 and has gained numerous awards for teaching and service. Dr. Cheikh is a adjunct professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Issam Cheikh, MD, named 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2020 "Top Docs" by Baltimore Magazine for endocrinology/diabetes care.
Clinical areas of focus
- Adrenal Venous Sampling
- Graves Disease
- Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Treatment
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hyperthyroidism Treatment
- Insulin Resistance Treatment
- Osteoporosis
- Osteoporosis Prevention Treatment
- Pituitary Hormone Management
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Treatment
- Subclinical Hypothyroidism
- Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abnormal Function Study Results
- Acquired Absence Of Organs
- Adrenal Crisis
- Adrenal Gland Disorder
- Adrenal Gland Disorders (E.G. CUSHING'S SYNDROME, PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA)
- Adrenal Mass
- Adrenal Tumor
- Adult Osteomalacia
- Anemia Due To Vitamin B12 Deficiency
- Bone Density Disorder
- Bone Discontinuity
- Bone Disorders
- Calcium Disorders
- Carcinoma In Situ Of Bladder
- Cardiometabolic Disorders
- Complications Of The Puerperium
- Cushing Syndrome
- Diabetes In Pregnancy
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis
- Disorders Of Amino
- Disorders Of Lipoprotein Metabolism And Lipidemias
- Disorders Of Mineral Metabolism
- Disorders Of Pancreatic Internal Secretion
- Disorders Of Pituitary Gland
- Disorders Of Renal Tubular Function
- Disorders Of Thyroid
- Drug Or Chemical Induced Diabetes Mellitus
- Endocrine Disorders
- Erectile Dysfunction Due To Hormonal Imbalance
- Family History Of Malignant Neoplasm
- Gallbladder Disease
- Grave's Disease
- Gynecomastia
- Hashimoto Thyroiditis
- High Cholesterol
- Hirsutism
- Hormonal Imbalance
- Hyperaldosteronism
- Hyperfunction Of Pituitary Gland
- Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypertrichosis
- Hypocalcemia
- Hypoglycemia
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Insulin Pump Management
- Insulin Resistance
- Long Term Drug Therapy
- Malignant Neoplasm Of Endocrine Glands
- Menstrual Disorders
- Multiple Myeloma Of The Spine
- Nonscarring Hair Loss
- Nontoxic Goiter
- Obesity
- Osteochondropathies
- Osteoporosis
- Ovarian Dysfunction
- Parathyroid Disorders
- Personal History Of Medical Treatment
- Pituitary Disorders
- Plasma Cell Neoplasms
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- Postprocedural Complications
- Prediabetes
- Presence Of Functional Implants
- Retinal Disease
- Rib And Sternum Fracture
- Subclinical Hypothyroidism
- Testicular Dysfunction
- Thyroid Cancer
- Thyroid Nodules
- Thyroid Storm
- Thyrotoxic Crisis
- Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
- Vitamin Deficiency
Procedures I perform
- Adrenal Disorder Treatment
- Adrenal Hormone Management
- Adrenal Hormone Regulation
- Adrenal Surgery
- Adrenal Venous Sampling
- Celiac Plexus Block
- Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan
- Continuous Glucose Monitoring System
- Cushing's Syndrome Treatment
- Diabetes Management
- Diabetes Prevention
- Enterectomy
- Fine-Needle Aspiration Of Thyroid Nodule
- Glucose Control Management
- Goiter Treatment
- Grave's Disease Treatment
- Growth Hormone Management
- Growth Hormone Stimulation Test
- Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Treatment
- Hormone Level Regulation
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Hyperthyroidism Treatment
- Hypothyroidism Treatment
- Insulin Resistance Treatment
- Kinesiology Analysis
- Lifestyle Modification
- Lobectomy
- Nutrition Counseling
- Obesity Treatment
- One-On-One Diabetes Education
- Osteoporosis Prevention Treatment
- Pain Medication Management
- Parathyroid Tumor Surgery
- Pioglitazone Therapy
- Pituitary Disorder Treatment
- Pituitary Hormone Management
- Pituitary Surgery
- Pituitary Tumor Surgery
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Treatment
- Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome Treatment
- Prediabetes Management
- Testicular Ultrasound
- Thyroid Cancer Treatment
- Thyroid Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy
- Thyroid Medication Management
- Thyroid Nodule Treatment
- Thyroid Storm Surgery
- Thyroidectomy
- Weight Management Program
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
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- OA Plus
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- United Healthcare Choice
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- TRICARE for Life East
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Choice POS II Open Access
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- United Student Resources
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Aetna Basic
- Aetna HMO
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- POS OA
- CareFirst NASCO
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- HighMark
- Choice POS
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- IH-Open HMO Option
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- Medicare Direct
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Blue Choice Advantage
- CareFirst EPO
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Network OA
- Choice Fund PPO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Aetna VA Exchange
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Employee Health Plan
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Choice POS II
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- IH-POS Plus
- TRICARE East Select
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- IH-EPO Plus
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Sentara Health
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Beech Street PPO
- CareFirst Administrators
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- IH-Indemnity
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Navigate
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- IH-POS
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Optimum Choice
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- CIGNA EPO
- Tricare Reserve Select
- IH-Open HMO
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Aetna Classic 5000
- IH-Network Only Plus
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- CIGNA PPO
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- UHC Passport
- HealthyBlue PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Medicare FFS
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- IH-PPO
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Aetna Classic 3500
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- First Health PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- First Health PPO
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- IH-Open POS Plus
- TRICARE East Prime
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- IH-HMO
- IH-Open POS II
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
Education
Board Certification: ,
Fellowship: University of Maryland Medical System (1975)
Residency: MedStar Union Memorial Hospital at Baltimore (1973)
Internship: MedStar Union Memorial Hospital at Baltimore (1971)
Medical School: University of Damascus School of Medicine (1968)
Awards
- 2015-2017, 2019, 2020-2025 Top Doctor, Baltimore magazine