Marc Margolis, MD| Thoracic Surgery | MedStar Health
Marc Margolis

Marc Margolis, MD
Provider is directly employed by MedStar Health

4.8 out of 5 (941 reviews)

Specialties: Thoracic Surgery

Languages: Afrikaans, English

877-376-2421

About me

Marc Margolis, MD, FACS, is the Chief of Thoracic Surgery at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. He is a highly experienced surgeon with over 20 years of clinical practice and is board-certified in cardiothoracic surgery. He sees patients for the full range of thoracic diseases at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and MedStar Washington Hospital Center. 

As a general thoracic surgeon, Dr. Margolis treats patients for all diseases related to the chest, including benign and malignant lung diseases, benign and malignant esophageal diseases, benign and malignant diseases of the mediastinum, tracheal conditions, diaphragmatic conditions, chest wall deformities, hyperhidrosis, and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS). Dr. Margolis specializes in robotic and minimally invasive approaches but uses conventional techniques when appropriate. He performs minimally invasive robotic surgery after induction therapy for lung and esophageal cancer. 

Dr. Margolis is especially interested in emerging robotic techniques. He has been performing robotic surgery for many years and was part of the first group of surgeons to perform robotic thoracic surgery. His current interest/research centers on improving cancer patients' outcomes using new advances in robotic technology, including after induction therapy. 

In addition to his clinical research and clinical work, Dr. Margolis is an Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery at Georgetown University, where he is proud to instruct and mentor the new generation of surgeons and students. 

Dr. Margolis has received numerous awards throughout his long career, including the Outstanding Teaching Award from Georgetown University three times. He has been listed as a Best Doctor in the Washingtonian and Northern Virginia Magazines and is a Castle Connolly Top Doctor. 

Originally from South Africa, Dr. Margolis speaks Afrikaans. He obtained his medical degree at the University of Cape Town Medical School before moving to the United States and completing his residency at New York Methodist Hospital. He went on to do his fellowship training at George Washington University Medical Center. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgery and a professional member of the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association. 

Dr. Margolis has lived in the greater Washington, DC, area since 1999 and is honored to serve his community. When he is not seeing patients or teaching, he enjoys spending time with his family and their Goldendoodle and traveling.

Philosophy of Care 

“Although it might be a cliche, I sincerely want to treat patients as I would like my family, friends, or myself to be treated. Over the years, I have encountered, witnessed, and experienced the workings of the medical system and know what it is like to be on the other side as a patient and as a patient’s family member. With that in mind, I strive to be compassionate, caring, available, and responsive to my patients. I always communicate with honesty and directness. In my practice, I strive to maintain the highest standards in all aspects of care. 

“In my practice, I work with a team of medical professionals to obtain the best results for our patients. I am always available for a consult and highly responsive to patients and their referring physicians.” 

Clinical areas of focus

  • Adenocarcinoma Of Lung
  • Esophageal Cancer
  • Large Cell Cancer Of The Lung
  • Lung Cancer
  • Lung Metastasis
  • Non Small Cell Lung Cancer
  • Pleural Cancer
  • Pulmonary Nodule
  • Small Cell Lung Cancer
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma Of The Head And Neck
  • Thymus Cancer
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Conditions and procedures

Conditions I treat

  • Achalasia
  • Adenocarcinoma Of Lung
  • Barrett's Esophagus
  • Chest Wall Tumors
  • Diaphragmatic Hernia
  • Diaphragmatic Tumor
  • Emphysema
  • Esophageal Cancer
  • Esophageal Diverticulum
  • Esophageal Mass
  • Hamartoma Of Lung
  • Hilar Adenopathy
  • Hyperhidrosis
  • Large Cell Cancer Of The Lung
  • Lung Abscess
  • Lung Cancer
  • Lung Mass
  • Lung Metastasis
  • Malignant Effusion
  • Malignant Neoplasm Of Main Bronchus
  • Mediastinal Mass
  • Mediastinum Cancer
  • Mesothelioma
  • Non Small Cell Lung Cancer
  • Paraesophageal Hernia
  • Pleural Cancer
  • Pleural Diseases
  • Pleural Effusion
  • Pneumothorax
  • Pulmonary Metastases
  • Pulmonary Nodule
  • Sequestrum Of Lung
  • Small Cell Lung Cancer
  • Spontaneous Pneumothorax
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma Of The Head And Neck
  • Tension Pneumothorax
  • Thoracic Malignancy
  • Thymoma
  • Thymus Cancer
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Procedures I perform

  • Biopsy Chest Wall
  • Biopsy Diaphragm
  • Biopsy Of Lung
  • Bronchial Fistula Repair
  • Chest Wall Resection
  • Decortication Of Lung
  • Esophageal Diverticulectomy
  • Esophageal Myotomy
  • Esophagectomy
  • Exploratory Thoracotomy
  • Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy
  • Fundoplication
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Surgery
  • Hyperhidrosis Surgery
  • Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy For Achalasia
  • Lung Resection
  • Mediastinoscopy
  • Minimally Invasive Lung Cancer Surgery
  • Minimally Invasive Pulmonary Lobectomy
  • Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery
  • Mycetoma Resection
  • Open Biopsy Of Lesions Of Mediastinum
  • Open Biopsy Of Lung
  • Percutaneous Tracheostomy
  • Pleurodesis
  • Pleurx Catheter Insertion
  • Plication Of Emphysematous Bleb
  • Plication Of The Diaphragm
  • Repair Of Diaphragm
  • Sleeve Lobectomy
  • Thoracoscopy
  • Thoracotomy
  • Thymectomy
  • Thymus Surgery
  • Tracheal Resection
  • Tracheostomy
  • Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery
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Practice locations

Distance from Change LocationEnter your Location

3800 Reservoir Road Northwest
Pasquerilla Healthcare Center 4th Fl
Washington, DC, 20007

202-295-0560

Fax 877-376-2421

Get Directions

miles away

Fax 877-376-2421

110 Irving Street Northwest
GA-4
Washington, DC, 20010

202-877-8115

Fax 202-877-0341

Get Directions

miles away

Fax 202-877-0341

1800 Town Center Drive
Suite 218
Reston, VA, 20190

202-444-6985

Fax 877-376-2421

Get Directions

miles away

Fax 877-376-2421

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

Videos

Education

Board Certification: American Board of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery

Fellowship: George Washington University School of Medicine (2001)

Residency: New York Methodist Hospital of Brooklyn-GME (1999)

Internship: Icahn School Of Medicine At Mount Sinai (1994)

Medical School: University of Cape Town (1987)

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
  • Provider included you in decisions

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

    4.9
  • Likelihood of recommending this care provider to others

    4.8
  • Mar 24, 2025

    Post-op visit with surgeon - familiarized with my history exemplary physician.

  • Mar 23, 2025

    Dr Margolis is a godsend. If there was a 10 star rating I would give it

  • Mar 21, 2025

    Alway listen to all my questions and concerns. I am going to miss his calls, since this was our last one.