About me
Mahmoud Kheirbek, MD, is Chairman of the Neonatology/Pediatrics Department at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and is affiliated with MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. Dr. Kheirbek specializes in neonatology and is double board-certified in neonatal-perinatal medicine and pediatrics. He holds professional memberships with the American Academy of Pediatrics and the DC Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics. Throughout his career, Dr. Kheirbek has received several awards, including Nurses’ Choice for the 50th Anniversary of MedStar Washington Hospital Center Collaboration Award with Nursing Staff and Resident of the Year at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center.
Dr. Kheirbek works with high-risk pregnancies and premature babies to provide state-of-the-art, comprehensive care to mothers and children. At MedStar Health, he and his department treat the largest number of premature and extreme premature babies in the district. He treats babies for a variety of diseases including respiratory distress syndrome, neonatal jaundice, neonatal sepsis, and issues around feeding and nutritional support. In addition, he specializes in stabilizing and caring for babies that are born with congenital heart disease.
In the future, Dr. Kheirbek is excited to continue developing programs that optimize the nutritional support of newborns. He hopes to bring in more mothers exclusively for breastfeeding and/or use donor breast milk. His department is also instituting CMV screening in babies that fail hearing tests. Additionally, they are in the implementation phase of an IVH prevention protocol in small babies. Dr. Kheirbek believes that fetal surgery for diseases such as spinal myelomeningocele and urologic problems is a promising trend that is showing improvements in outcomes nationwide.
Dr. Kheirbek first discovered his passion for newborns while obtaining his medical degree at Damascus University in Syria. He completed a residency at Children’s Hospital in Damascus prior to his residency at Rush-Presbyterian-St Luke’s. In 1990, he completed a fellowship program at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and has been working there ever since.
Philosophy of care
“I love babies and treat every newborn that is in my care as if they were my own. My approach is to equip families with evidence-based information so that they are empowered to make the best decision for their child. When I meet with families, I take the time to educate them about their baby’s condition and all their possible treatment options. I am always honest and transparent about what can be done for the child; if I believe they would be better served in another location or facility, I will not hesitate to say so because my priority is the best interest of the baby. I know that every family is different, and their value system and personal wishes will always be taken into consideration when developing a treatment plan for their child.”
Clinical areas of focus
- Blood Clotting Disorder Treatment
- Body Cooling Therapy
- Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Ventilation
- Dopamine Therapy
- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
- Neonatal Aspiration Syndrome
- Neonatal Sepsis
- Newborn Hypoglycemia
- Newborn Respiratory Distress Syndrome
- Newborn With Birth Asphyxia
- Non-Invasive Ventilation
- Premature Birth
- Retinopathy Of Prematurity
- Therapeutic Hypothermia
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abnormal Breathing
- Abnormal Findings On Neonatal Screening
- Apnea In Newborns
- Asphyxia Of Newborn
- Birth Defects Due To Maternal Conditions
- Birth Injury To Skeleton
- Bowel Obstruction In Newborns
- Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
- Cardiometabolic Disorders
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Conditions Of Integument Specific To Newborn
- Conditions Originating In Perinatal Period
- Congenital Malformations Of Great Arteries
- Congenital Malformations Of Pulmonary And Tricuspid Valves
- Congenital Pneumonia
- Dentofacial Abnormality
- Diaphragmatic Hernia
- Disturbances Of Cerebral Status Of Newborn
- Feeding Problems In Newborns
- Hemolytic Disease Of Newborn
- High Blood Pressure In Newborn
- Hyperbilirubinemia Of Newborn
- Hypoglycemia Of Newborn
- Hypospadias
- Interstitial Emphysema
- Neonatal Aspiration Syndrome
- Neonatal Bowel Obstruction
- Neonatal Pneumonia
- Neonatal Sepsis
- Newborn Affected By Complications Of Placenta, Cord And Membranes
- Newborn Complications From Labor And Delivery
- Newborn Complications From Maternal Pregnancy
- Newborn Hypoglycemia
- Newborn Respiratory Distress Syndrome
- Newborn With Birth Asphyxia
- Omphalocele
- Perinatal Hematological Disorders
- Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension Of Newborn
- Premature Birth
- Pulmonary Heart Disease
- Respiratory Conditions
- Respiratory Failure In Newborn
- Retinal Disease
- Retinopathy Of Prematurity
- Syndactyly
- Syphilis Infection
- Transitory Disorders Of Carbohydrate Metabolism
Procedures I perform
- Atrial Line Insertion
- Blood Clotting Disorder Treatment
- Body Cooling Therapy
- Breastfeeding Assistance
- Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Treatment
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Ventilation
- Delivery Room Resuscitation
- Dopamine Therapy
- Endotracheal Intubation
- Enterocele Repair
- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
- Fetal Renal Disorders Management
- Gastric Surgery
- Genital Abnormalities Treatment
- Lactation Consultation
- Mixed Venous Oxygen Saturation
- Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Treatment
- Neonatal Cardiac Care
- Neonatal Circumcision
- Neonatal Dermatology
- Neonatal Hematology
- Neonatal Immunology
- Neonatal Neurodevelopmental Care
- Neonatal Neurosurgery
- Neonatal Orthopedic Care
- Neonatal Physiotherapy
- Neonatal Renal Care
- Neonatal Urology
- Newborn Follow-Up Care
- Newborn Initial Hospital Care
- Newborn Initial Stabilization
- Newborn Subsequent Hospital Care
- Non-Invasive Ventilation
- Orthopedic Physical Therapy
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Perinatal Asphyxia Treatment
- Pregnancy Complications Evaluation
- Respiratory Distress Syndrome Treatment
- Retinopathy Of Prematurity Treatment
- Skin Phototherapy
- Somatosensory Evoked Potentials
- Surfactant Therapy
- Therapeutic Hypothermia
- Thrombocytapheresis
- Transthoracic Echocardiography
- Vestibular Testing
- Vision Screening
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
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Optimum Choice
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Medicare FFS
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- IH-Open POS Plus
- IH-HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Sentara Health
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Choice POS II
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Choice
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Employee Health Plan
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Choice Fund PPO
- HealthyBlue PPO
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- United Student Resources
- TRICARE East Select
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- HighMark
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- IH-Open HMO
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- CareFirst Administrators
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- CIGNA PPO
- First Health PPO
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Aetna Classic 3500
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- CIGNA EPO
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Police and Fire Clinic
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- IH-Open POS II
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Navigate
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- POS OA
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- TRICARE East Prime
- IH-EPO Plus
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- OA Plus
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- First Health PPO
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- HumanaChoice PPO
- CareFirst EPO
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- IH-Indemnity
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Aetna HMO
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Aetna VA Exchange
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- IH-Network Only Plus
- IH-POS Plus
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Aetna Basic
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Beech Street PPO
- Choice POS
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- CareFirst NASCO
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- TRICARE for Life East
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Medicare Direct
- UHC Passport
- Network OA
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- IH-PPO
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- IH-POS
Education
Board Certification:
Fellowship: Georgetown University School of Medicine GME (1990)
Residency: Rush University Medical Center (1988)
Internship: Rush University Medical Center (1986)
Internship: Rush University Medical Center (1985)
Residency: University of Damascus (1983)
Medical School: University of Damascus School of Medicine (1979)