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.
-
List of insurance plans we accept
- IH-Open POS II
- Aetna HMO
- Aetna Basic
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Employee Health Plan
- CIGNA Indemnity
- OA Plus
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- UHC Passport
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Choice POS II Open Access
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Navigate
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Choice Fund PPO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- CIGNA PPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Choice POS II
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- IH-Indemnity
- IH-HMO
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- POS OA
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- IH-EPO Plus
- Core Essential (HMO)
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- IH-Open HMO
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst EPO
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- TRICARE for Life East
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Medicare FFS
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- CareFirst Administrators
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- HumanaChoice PPO
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Optimum Choice
- Sentara Health
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Medicare Direct
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- IH-Network Only Plus
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Network OA
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Tricare Reserve Select
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- HighMark
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- IH-Open POS Plus
- United Healthcare Choice
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- IH-POS
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Choice POS
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- IH-POS Plus
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- TRICARE East Select
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- First Health PPO
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- First Health PPO
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- MultiPlan, Inc
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- United Student Resources
- IH-PPO
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- CareFirst NASCO
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- CIGNA EPO
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Beech Street PPO
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- TRICARE East Prime
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Police and Fire Clinic
- BlueChoice Open Access
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
Education
Board Certification: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, Certification of Physician Assistants
Graduate: Lincoln Memorial University (2015)