Lauren Talley Cooke, PA| Otolaryngology | MedStar Health
About me
Lauren T. Wester, MMS, PA-C is a physician assistant at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery. Lauren completed her Masters in Medical Science at Lincoln Memorial University- DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2015 and has been working in the Georgetown ENT department ever since. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and The Society of Physician Assistants in Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery (SPAO-HNS).
Lauren sees predominately adult patients with general ENT concerns including sinusitis, ear infection, and throat complaints. She works closely with the department’s fellowship trained head and neck oncology, facial plastics, and rhinology surgeons on a daily basis. In addition to her outpatient clinic responsibilities, Lauren also works part-time in the inpatient setting managing ENT patients and participating in a wide variety of ENT consultations.
A Washington, D.C. area native, Lauren grew up in Northern Virginia. She earned her undergraduate degree in Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise from Virginia Tech. After college, Lauren returned home to work as a Research Assistant for the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc; specifically working on High-Risk Spine protocol within the Neurosurgery Department at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Lauren now lives in D.C. and enjoys traveling, Hokie football and exploring the local restaurant scene.
Clinical areas of focus
- Acute Sinusitis
- Adenoiditis
- Ear Infection
- Enteroscopy
- Impacted Earwax Removal
- Laryngitis
- Nasal Congestion
- Nasal Polyps
- Parathyroid Tumor Surgery
- Percutaneous Osteoplasty
- Sinus Infection Treatment
- Sinus Infections
- Throat Infection (TONSILLITIS)
- Turbinate Reduction With Radiofrequency
- Vision Screening
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Acute Laryngitis And Tracheitis
- Acute Sinusitis
- Adenoid Hypertrophy
- Adenoiditis
- Aphagia And Dysphagia
- Artificial Openings Complications
- Basal Cell Carcinoma Of Skin
- Benign Neoplasm Of Mouth And Pharynx
- Benign Neoplasm Of Respiratory System
- Benign Neoplasm Of Skin
- Benign Tumor
- Candidiasis
- Central Sleep Apnea
- Choroidal Nevi
- Chronic Diseases Of Tonsils And Adenoids
- Conductive Hearing Loss
- Coughing Up Blood
- Cysts Of Oral Region
- Dentofacial Abnormality
- Digestive System Symptoms
- Diseases Of Lip And Oral Mucosa
- Diseases Of Salivary Glands
- Diseases Of Tongue
- Diseases Of Upper Respiratory Tract
- Diseases Of Vocal Cords
- Disorders Of Nose And Nasal Sinuses
- Disturbances Of Smell And Taste
- Dizziness And Lightheadedness
- Ear Infection
- Earwax Impaction
- Enlarged Adenoids
- Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
- Facial Nerve Disorder
- Facial Paralysis
- Falls And Gait Disorders
- Family History Of Malignant Neoplasm
- Fungal Otitis Externa
- Hoarseness
- Inguinal Mass
- Inner Ear Diseases
- Jaw Diseases
- Knee And Leg Open Wound
- Lacrimal Gland Disorders
- Laryngitis
- Loss Of Smell
- Malignant Neoplasm
- Malignant Neoplasm Of Endocrine Glands
- Middle Ear Disorders
- Nasal Airway Obstruction
- Nasal Congestion
- Nasal Fracture
- Nasal Polyps
- Nasal Septal Deviation
- Neoplasm Of Uncertain Behavior
- Nervous System Disorders
- Nonsuppurative Otitis Media
- Olfactory Disorders
- Omphalocele
- Otalgia And Ear Effusion
- Parotid Gland Disorders
- Postnasal Drip
- Salivary Gland Stones
- Sinus Cysts
- Sinus Infections
- Skin Cancer (BASAL CELL, SQUAMOUS CELL, MELANOMA)
- Skin Swelling And Lumps
- Skull Fractures
- Somatoform Disorder
- Sore Throat
- Speech Disturbances
- Stomatitis And Related Lesions
- Swimmer's Ear
- Throat Infection (TONSILLITIS)
- Tinnitus
- Tonsil Stones
- Tympanic Membrane Perforation
- Vasomotor And Allergic Rhinitis
- Vestibular Disorders
- Zoster
Procedures I perform
- Auditory Implant Candidacy Evaluation
- Bell's Palsy Treatment
- Bone Anchored Hearing Aid
- Botox Injection
- Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials
- Cochlear Implant Adjustment
- Control Nasal Hemorrhage Anterior Complex
- Cystitis Treatment
- Diagnostic Laryngoscopy
- Ear Drum Perforation Treatment
- Ear Infection Treatment
- Ear Tube Insertion
- Enteroscopy
- Facial Paralysis Treatment
- Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy
- Flash Electroretinography
- Foreign Body Removal From Skin
- Gastrointestinal Therapy
- Hearing Restoration Surgery
- Hearing Testing
- Hoarseness Treatment
- Hysteroscopic Polyp Resection
- Impacted Earwax Removal
- Kinesiology Analysis
- Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) Therapy
- Loss Of Smell Treatment
- Middle Ear Infection Treatment
- Muscle Injection
- Nasal Endoscopy With Biopsy, Polypectomy, Or Debridement
- Neuromuscular Monitoring
- Oral And Pharyngeal Swallowing Function Evaluation
- Otoacoustic Emissions
- Parathyroid Tumor Surgery
- Percutaneous Osteoplasty
- Pulsatile Tinnitus Treatment
- Septorhinoplasty
- Sinus Infection Treatment
- Sinus Ostia Dilation
- Speech Audiometry With Tympanometry
- Ssep (SOMATOSENSORY EVOKED POTENTIALS)
- Swallowing Disorder Treatment
- Taste Disorder Treatment
- Total Proctocolectomy
- Turbinate Reduction With Radiofrequency
- Urinary Urgency Treatment
- Vagina Transplant
- Venous Ulcer Treatment
- Vestibular Testing
- Vestibuloplasty
- Vision Screening
- Vocal Cord Lateralization
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 Advantage 5750
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- UHC Passport
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- CIGNA EPO
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- IH-HMO
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- IH-Open POS II
- First Health PPO
- IH-Network Only Plus
- IH-POS
- Choice Fund PPO
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- CareFirst NASCO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- IH-Open HMO
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- First Health PPO
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- OA Plus
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Sentara Health
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Employee Health Plan
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Choice POS II Open Access
- CareFirst EPO
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- BlueChoice Open Access
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- TRICARE for Life East
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Aetna Basic
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Medicare Direct
- IH-Open HMO Option
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- CIGNA PPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Beech Street PPO
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- United Student Resources
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- United Healthcare Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- TRICARE East Prime
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- IH-Open POS Plus
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Medicare FFS
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Choice POS II
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- IH-PPO
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Blue Choice Advantage
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- POS OA
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Navigate
- Aetna Classic 3500
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- CareFirst Administrators
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- HighMark
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Optimum Choice
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- TRICARE East Select
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- IH-Indemnity
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- HealthyBlue PPO
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Choice POS
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Network OA
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- IH-EPO Plus
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- IH-POS Plus
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Aetna HMO
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
Education
Board Certification: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, Certification of Physician Assistants
Graduate: Lincoln Memorial University (2015)