Kristen L Russomanno, MD| Dermatology | MedStar Health
Kristen L Russomanno

Kristen L Russomanno, MD
Provider is directly employed by MedStar Health

4.8 out of 5 (375 reviews)

Specialties: Dermatology

Languages: English

410-657-1980

About me

Kristen L. Russomanno, MD, is board certified in both internal medicine and dermatology and is currently practicing dermatology at MedStar Health Lafayette Centre.

Dr. Russomanno sees patients for a wide range of dermatologic conditions, including skin cancers, actinic keratoses, chronic sun damage, acne, cysts, eczema, psoriasis, and other types of skin infections and disorders. Her treatment methods include surgical excision of lesions, biopsy of lesions, cryotherapy/liquid nitrogen treatment, intralesional steroid injections, electrodessication and curettage, and neuromodulator injections.

Double board certified in both internal medicine and dermatology, Dr. Russomanno is guided by both perspectives in her practice. She believes in providing her patients with as much information as possible about their conditions and treatment options and recognizes the need for personalized treatment plans, patient autonomy, and choice.

Passionate about preventing skin cancer, Dr. Russomanno is particularly interested in the diagnosis, treatment, and research of skin cancers, including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. To prevent skin cancer, she treats actinic skin damage, provides options for chemoprevention in high risk populations, and counsels on UV protection. One development in her field that she is excited about is the approval of various immunotherapies to treat advanced skin cancers, because they offer higher efficacy without some of the unwanted side effects of traditional chemotherapy.

Dr. Russomanno earned her medical degree at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. She then went on to complete a dual internal medicine and dermatology residency program at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, where she served as Chief Resident.

She is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and has published several articles in journals such as Journal of Dermatologic Surgery, Pediatric Dermatology, and Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: Case Reports.

Philosophy of care

“I believe very strongly in helping each patient to make the best decision for themselves with the support of their medical team. The decisions patients face on a daily basis are extremely personal, and the role of the physician is to provide the patient with all of the necessary information to make an educated choice that feels right for them. I am sensitive and empathetic to each individual journey and the many decisions patients face along the way.

“I want my patients to feel supported by me, even if their condition is chronic, challenging, or not easily diagnosed. I want patients to feel as though I am approachable and that they can connect with me. My patients should feel as though I am offering them the same attention and care that I would to a family member.

“Referring physicians should know that I am dedicated to teamwork and collaboration and will always engage other colleagues from within dermatology and other specialties to provide the best care for my patients. I always encourage my patients to seek out advice from other physicians they trust as well, and I am eager to work together within a multidisciplinary team to provide the best possible care for each patient.”

Clinical areas of focus

  • Acne
  • Eczema
  • Hair Diseases
  • Mole Examination
  • Psoriasis
  • Rash
  • Skin Cancer Screening
  • Skin Cancer Surgery
  • Wart Removal
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Conditions and procedures

Conditions I treat

  • Acne
  • Atypical Mole
  • Bullous Disease
  • Contact Dermatitis
  • Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma
  • Cutaneous Vasculitis
  • Dandruff
  • Dermatitis Herpetiformis
  • Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans
  • Dermatophytosis
  • Dysplastic Nevus
  • Eczema
  • Erythema Nodosum
  • Folliculitis
  • Granuloma Annulare
  • Hair Diseases
  • Herpes
  • Herpes Zoster
  • Hidradenitis Suppurativa
  • Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
  • Impetigo
  • Keratosis Pilaris
  • Lentigo
  • Lichen Nitidus
  • Lichen Planus
  • Lichen Sclerosus
  • Melanoma
  • Merkel Cell Carcinoma
  • Metastatic Melanoma
  • Mucinosis
  • Mycosis Fungoides
  • Necrobiosis Lipoidica
  • Neurofibroma
  • Neurofibromatosis Type 1
  • Nevus
  • Non Melanoma Skin Cancer
  • Onychomycosis
  • Panniculitis
  • Paronychia
  • Perioral Dermatitis
  • Pigmented Lesions
  • Plantar Wart
  • Poison Ivy
  • Polymorphous Light Eruption
  • Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
  • Pseudofolliculitis Barbae
  • Psoriasis
  • Pyogenic Granuloma
  • Rash
  • Rosacea
  • Scabies
  • Scalp Psoriasis
  • Seborrheic Dermatitis
  • Seborrheic Keratosis
  • Skin Cancer
  • Skin Tag
  • Squamous Carcinoma In Situ
  • Staphylococcus Infections
  • Stasis Dermatitis
  • Tinea Capitis
  • Tinea Corporis
  • Tinea Pedis
  • Tinea Versicolor
  • Xanthoma
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Procedures I perform

  • Cryotherapy For Skin Lesions
  • Dermoscopy
  • Destruction Of Benign Skin Lesions
  • Destruction Of Premalignant Skin Lesions
  • Isotretinoin
  • Mole Check
  • Mole Examination
  • Skin Biopsy
  • Skin Cancer Screening
  • Skin Cancer Surgery
  • Skin Tag Removal
  • Wart Removal
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Practice locations

Distance from Change LocationEnter your Location

1133 21st Street Northwest
Floor 5
Washington, DC, 20036

202-416-2000

Fax 410-657-1980

Get Directions

miles away

Fax 410-657-1980

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.

  • List of insurance plans we accept
    • Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
    • Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
    • Innovation Health: PPO
    • Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
    • Cigna HMO & Network (HMO)
    • WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
    • WellPoint Maryland
    • Virginia Premier
    • Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
    • UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
    • United Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
    • Uniformed Services Family Health Plan (USFHP)
    • Private Health Care Systems (PHCS) (PPO)
    • Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
    • Police and Fire Clinic
    • United Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) & OCI Direct (HMO)
    • United Optimum Choice
    • United Navigate
    • United Group Medicare Advantage Plans
    • United AARP Medicare Complete
    • Traditional Medicare Fee for Service
    • Medicaid - Virginia
    • Medicaid - Maryland
    • Medicaid - District of Columbia
    • Tricare for Life East
    • Tricare Reserve Select
    • Tricare East Select
    • Tricare East Prime
    • Maryland Point of Service Plan (MPOS)
    • HealthyBlue PPO
    • Federal Employee Program (Std/Basic PPO/Blue Focus)
    • CareFirst NASCO
    • CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
    • CareFirst MedStar PPO
    • CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
    • CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
    • CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
    • CareFirst BC/BS Advantage Core/Enhanced
    • CareFirst Blue Card Program (Out-of-area BCBS plans)
    • CareFirst Administrators
    • CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
    • Carefirst BlueChoice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
    • Carefirst Healthy Blue (HMO/POS)
    • Carefirst BlueChoice Opt Out Open Access
    • Carefirst BlueChoice Open Access
    • Carefirst BlueChoice HMO
    • Carefirst EPO
    • Carefirst Blue Preferred PPO
    • Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
    • Innovation Health: Open POS Plus
    • Innovation Health: Open POS II
    • Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
    • Aetna Choice POS & Choice POS II
    • Innovation Health: POS Plus
    • Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
    • Innovation Health: POS
    • Aetna Open HMO/Open HMO Option/Open EPO Plus
    • Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA
    • Aetna HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
    • Innovation Health: HMO & EPO Plus
    • Aetna Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
    • Aetna HMO
    • Innovation Health: Open Network Only Plus
    • Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
    • Innovation Health: Network Only Plus
    • Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
    • Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
    • Cigna Preferred Medicare
    • Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO) |
    • Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
    • Veterans Affairs Community Care Network (VA CCN)
    • United Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
    • United Student Resources
    • United Select Plus (POS)
    • United Select HMO - EPO/NPP
    • United Options (PPO) (includes Empire PPO)
    • United Golden Rule
    • United GEHA (for all other states) Compass Rose
    • D-SNP)
    • I-SNP
    • United Nursing Home Plan (C-SNP
    • United Erickson Advantage Plans
    • United Choice Plus
    • United Choice
    • United Mamsi Life & Health
    • United Core Essential (HMO)
    • MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
    • MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
    • United MD IPA Preferred (POS)
    • United MD IPA (HMO)
    • Kaiser Permanente Signature-Added Choice
    • Kaiser Signature
    • Kaiser HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
    • Kaiser Select-Added Choice
    • Kaiser Select
    • Kaiser Medicare Plus
    • Kaiser Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
    • Kaiser Flexible Choice
    • Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
    • HumanaChoice PPO
    • HumanaChoice Honor’s plan PPO
    • Health Services for Children with Special Needs (HSCSN)
    • Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
    • Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
    • Cigna POS/Network POS
    • Cigna Indemnity
    • Cigna POS Open Access & Open Access Plus
    • Cigna Network Open Access
    • Cigna HMO Open Access
    • Cigna PPO and PPO Plus
    • Cigna EPO
    • Cigna Choice Fund PPO
    • Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
    • AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
    • AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
    • Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
    • Amerigroup DC Alliance
    • Innovation Health: Indemnity
    • Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
    • Aetna Student Health Insurance
    • Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
    • First Health PPO
    • Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
    • Coventry Health Care of Virginia
    • Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
    • MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice

Education

Residency Program: MedStar Washington Hospital Center (2022)

Medical School: University of Connecticut School of Medicine (2017)

Ratings and reviews

  • Explanations the care provider gave you about your problem or condition

    4.8
  • Extent to which the care provider listened to you

    4.8
  • Care provider’s discussion of any proposed treatment (options, risks, benefits, etc.)

    4.8
  • Concern the care provider showed for your questions or worries

    4.8
  • Likelihood of recommending this care provider to others

    4.8
  • Aug 23, 2024

    Excellent doctor who diagnosed a condition I did not know I had

  • Aug 19, 2024

    Dr. Russomanno had an excellent bedside manner and my appointment was very educational (interesting, even!). She explained my condition, how it came to be, and proposed a solid treatment plan. Informed consent was certainly an undercurrent of the entire process and I felt like I had a great deal of autonomy.

  • Aug 13, 2024

    Dr. Russomanno has been very attentive, reassuring and diligent in maintaining my care. She makes suggestions, answers all my questions and explains options. I greatly appreciate and respect her as a doctor.