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