About me
Mariana Vigiola Cruz, MD, is a board-certified general surgeon at MedStar Southern Maryland with fellowship training in advanced gastrointestinal and minimally invasive surgery, including complex laparoscopic, robotic, and bariatric procedures.
Dr. Vigiola primarily manages surgical problems of the abdomen and abdominal wall, including pathologies of the stomach, intestine, colon, appendix, gallbladder, spleen and other organs, as well as several types of hernias. She has a particular interest in treating conditions such as acid reflux and hiatal or paraesophageal hernia. She emphasizes minimally invasive techniques in elective and emergency cases to achieve surgical goals through smaller incisions with limited trauma, less postoperative pain, and shorter recovery times. She has a clinical interest in the impact of nutrition and diet in health and healing, and incorporates this knowledge into her practice.
Dr. Vigiola strongly believes in universal access to surgical care and education. She is committed to global health, providing care to underserved communities, and has clinical experience in various settings around the world, including locations in Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Whether educating patients, training young surgeons, or performing operations, she strives to make a difference in sustainable and meaningful ways wherever she has the privilege to practice.
Dr. Vigiola earned her medical degree from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, followed by a general surgery residency at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC, where she also served as Administrative Chief Resident. During her residency, she completed a research fellowship at the MedStar Health Research Institute’s Firefighters Burn and Surgical Research Laboratory, focusing on burn injury and wound healing. After residency, she pursued clinical fellowship training in advanced gastrointestinal, bariatric, and minimally invasive surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City. During that time, she also served as Instructor in Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College. She has additionally completed postgraduate education in Clinical Nutrition and Gastrointestinal Pathologies in Andalusia, Spain.
Dr. Vigiola has presented her work at regional and national surgical conferences and has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications. She is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgery.
Dr. Vigiola speaks fluent Spanish and French, as well as basic Portuguese and Italian. When she is not taking care of patients, she loves adventure traveling, being active outdoors, exploring international cuisines and cultures, and spending time with her family, friends, and rescue dogs.
Philosophy of Care “I feel enormously privileged to do this job. I place a lot of emphasis in patient education and fully informed consent, so that anyone under my care is properly versed in their treatment options and possible outcomes and procedures. My goal is to provide transparent communication, professional recommendations, and technical expertise that align with the patient’s best interest, to deliver safe, appropriate, and individualized care. I would like my patients to feel they are in hands they can trust and are comforted and reassured during a challenging time.”
Clinical areas of focus
- Abdomen And Abdominal Wall Disorders
- Advanced Laparoscopic And Robotic Surgery
- Gallbladder Disorders
- Gastric Surgery
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- Hiatal Hernia
- Minimally Invasive Hernia Surgery
- Paraesophageal Hernia
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abdomen And Abdominal Wall Disorders
- Abdominal Adhesions
- Abdominal Hernia
- Abdominal Mass
- Abdominal Pain
- Abnormal Function Study Results
- Achalasia
- Acute Cholecystitis
- Alimentary Tract Foreign Body
- Appendicitis
- Benign Tumor
- Body Mass Index
- Bowel Obstruction
- Congenital Malformations Of Intestine
- Cutaneous Abscess, Furuncle And Carbuncle
- Diaphragmatic Hernia
- Digestive System Complications
- Digestive System Symptoms
- Diseases Of Appendix
- Diseases Of Esophagus
- Diseases Of Intestine
- Diseases Of Spleen
- Diseases Of Stomach And Duodenum
- Diverticular Disease
- Diverticulitis
- Duodenal Ulcer
- Feeding Tube Placement
- Femoral Hernia
- Functional Intestinal Disorders
- Gallbladder Disease
- Gallbladder Disorders
- Gallstone Pancreatitis
- Gallstones
- Gastric Tumors
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST)
- Gastrointestinal Ulcer
- Hiatal Hernia
- Incisional Hernia
- Inguinal Hernias
- Intestinal Obstruction
- Intestinal Perforation
- Lipoma
- Malignant Neuroendocrine Tumors
- Paraesophageal Hernia
- Peritoneum Disorders
- Postoperative Adhesions
- Retroperitoneum Disorders
- Skin And Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders
- Skin Swelling And Lumps
- Small Bowel Obstruction
- Small Intestine Cancer
- Stomach Tumors
- Stomach Ulcers
- Vascular Disorders Of Intestine
- Ventral Hernia
- Wound Dehiscence
Procedures I perform
- Abdominal Wall Supplement
- Abdominal Wall Surgery
- Abdominoplasty
- Adrenal Surgery
- Advanced Laparoscopic And Robotic Surgery
- Appendicitis Treatment
- Appendix Resection
- Breast Biopsy
- Breast Cancer Surgery
- Colectomy
- Colon Resection
- Colostomy
- Fundoplication
- Gallbladder Removal
- Gastrectomy
- Gastric Surgery
- Gastric Ulcer Surgery
- Gastrostomy
- Hemorrhoidectomy
- Hernia Repair
- Ileostomy
- Intestinal Resection
- Ischiorectal Abscess Drainage
- Jejunostomy
- Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy With Cholangiography
- Laparoscopy
- Lesion Excision
- Lymph Node Biopsy
- Meckel's Diverticulectomy
- Minimally Invasive Hernia Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Myotomy Gastrointestinal
- Oncologic Surgery
- Partial Colectomy
- Peritoneal Cavity Drainage
- Pyloromyotomy
- Reconstructive Surgery
- Repair Of Anterior Abdominal Hernia
- Sigmoid Colectomy
- Sigmoid Colon Resection
- Small Bowel Resection
- Small Intestine Repair
- Spleen Removal
- Stomach Resection
- Tumor Removal
- Tumor Resection
- Wound Closure
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
- IH-Open HMO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- IH-Open HMO Option
- IH-POS Plus
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- TRICARE East Select
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- IH-Indemnity
- Optimum Choice
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Choice POS
- TRICARE for Life East
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- IH-PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Core Essential (HMO)
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Aetna HMO
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- OA Plus
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- CIGNA EPO
- Aetna Basic
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Aetna Classic 5000
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Medicare FFS
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- First Health PPO
- TRICARE East Prime
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- HighMark
- Employee Health Plan
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Beech Street PPO
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- CIGNA PPO
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- United Student Resources
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- IH-POS
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Choice Fund PPO
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- POS OA
- IH-HMO
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Aetna VA Exchange
- IH-EPO Plus
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- CareFirst Administrators
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst NASCO
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- CareFirst EPO
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Navigate
- Network OA
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Choice POS II
- IH-Open POS II
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- United Healthcare Choice
- First Health PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Sentara Health
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- UHC Passport
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- MultiPlan, Inc
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Blue Choice Advantage
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Medicare Direct
- IH-Open EPO Plus
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Surgery, General Surgery
Fellowship: New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell (2020)
Residency: Georgetown University School of Medicine GME (2019)
Medical School: University of Medicine & Dentistry New Jersey (2013)