About me
Michael Cardis, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. He sees patients for all dermatologic concerns and reads skin biopsies. His clinical interests include melanoma, pigmented lesions, infectious diseases, and tropical medicine. His research interests include the evaluation and management of melanoma and pigmented lesions. The comprehensive nature of Dr. Cardis’ training in both dermatology and dermatopathology allow him to expertly fuse clinical findings and histopathologic features.
Dr. Cardis received his medical degree from Northeast Ohio Medical University. Following his internship, he joined MedStar Washington Hospital Center/MedStar Georgetown University Hospital for a three-year residency in dermatology, during which he was awarded the Resident International Grant for a Rotation in Botswana by the American Academy of Dermatology and the Resident Teaching Award by MedStar Dermatology. Finally, before rejoining MedStar Washington Hospital Center as faculty, Dr. Cardis completed a fellowship in dermatopathology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the American Telemedicine Association, the American Academy of Dermatology, and the American Society of Dermatopathology.
In alignment with his interests in global health, teaching, tropical medicine, infectious skin disease, and telemedicine, Dr. Cardis has coordinated, led, and participated in multiple international medical initiatives in China, Haiti, and Botswana.
Dr. Cardis believes that the use of telemedicine could benefit patients with limited access to a dermatologist. He is currently involved in the development and oversight of the telemedicine curriculum for dermatology residents. He is a member of the Young Professional Telemedicine Engagement and Education Work Group and co-author for teledermatology curriculum modules published by the American Academy of Dermatology.
Philosophy of Care
“My philosophy of care is to give patients access to the best care possible while keeping their best interests in mind at all times. Working at an academic and research hospital means that I have access to the most up-to-date treatment options for my patients.
“I’m a highly inquisitive person by nature and my dual-specialty training in dermatology and dermatopathology allows me to have a more comprehensive perspective when diagnosing and treating skin conditions.
“It’s important to me that I communicate clearly with my patients, so that they have a clear understanding of their diagnosis and treatment options in order to make informed decisions regarding their care.”
Clinical areas of focus
- Acne Treatment
- Basal Cell Carcinoma
- Cradle Cap (SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS)
- Eczema
- Hair Loss Treatment
- Mole Examination
- Moles
- Psoriasis
- Rash Treatment
- Skin Cancer Surgery
- Skin Tags
- Vitiligo Treatment
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Acantholytic Disorders
- Acne
- Allergic Contact Dermatitis
- Angiokeratoma
- Angiosarcoma
- Balanitis
- Basal Cell Carcinoma
- Benign Neoplasm Of Skin
- Capillary Diseases
- Carbuncles
- Congenital Ichthyosis
- Congenital Malformations Of Integument
- Congenital Malformations Of Skin
- Cradle Cap (SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS)
- Cutaneous Abscess
- Cutaneous Abscess, Furuncle And Carbuncle
- Cutaneous Melanoma
- Dermatophytosis (RINGWORM)
- Eccrine Sweat Disorders
- Eczema
- Eczema (ATOPIC DERMATITIS)
- Erythema Multiforme
- Erythematous Conditions
- Family History Of Malignant Neoplasm
- Fungal Infections
- Hair Loss (E.G. ALOPECIA, TELOGEN EFFLUVIUM)
- Hemangioma
- Herpes Simplex
- Hypertrichosis
- Hypertrophic Skin Disorders
- Impetigo
- Inflammatory Skin Disorders
- Itchy Skin
- Kaposi's Sarcoma
- Keratosis Pilaris
- Lichen Planus
- Lichen Simplex Chronicus And Prurigo
- Lipoma Of Skin
- Lymphoma Of Skin
- Male Pattern Baldness
- Melanoma
- Melanoma In Situ
- Merkel Cell Carcinoma
- Mole Examination
- Moles
- Mycosis Fungoides
- Nail Disorders
- Nonscarring Hair Loss
- Nummular Eczema
- Papulosquamous Disorders
- Pemphigoid
- Pemphigus
- Pemphigus Vulgaris
- Pilar Cysts
- Plantar Warts
- Pruritus
- Psoriasis
- Rosacea
- Sarcoidosis
- Scalp Psoriasis
- Scars And Keloids
- Scleroderma
- Seborrheic Keratosis
- Skin And Soft Tissue Infections
- Skin And Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders
- Skin Cancer
- Skin Cancer (BASAL CELL, SQUAMOUS CELL, MELANOMA)
- Skin Cancer Screening
- Skin Changes Due To Nonionizing Radiation
- Skin Disorders Due To Radiation
- Skin Hyperpigmentation
- Skin Tags
- Skin Thickening
- Superficial Mycoses
- Tinea Corporis
- Tinea Cruris
- Transepidermal Elimination Disorders
- Urticaria
- Viral Diseases
- Viral Infection
- Viral Warts
Procedures I perform
- Acne Treatment
- Biopsy Of Skin
- Boil Treatment
- Chest Skin Excision
- Cyst Treatment
- Destruction Of Benign Lesions
- Destruction Of Malignant Lesion
- Destruction Of Premalignant Lesions
- Eczema Laser Treatment
- Eczema Treatment
- Facial Rejuvenation Consultation
- Fungal Infection Treatment
- Hair Loss Treatment
- Hemangioma Treatment
- Hidradenitis Suppurativa Treatment
- Hypertrophic Scar Treatment
- Keratosis Pilaris Treatment
- Lower Arm Skin Excision
- Melanoma Treatment
- Mole Examination
- Photochemotherapy
- Rash Treatment
- Rosacea Treatment
- Scalp Biopsy
- Seborrheic Dermatitis Treatment
- Shaving Of Lesion
- Skin Cancer Prevention
- Skin Cancer Screening
- Skin Cancer Surgery
- Skin Care Consultation
- Skin Excision
- Skin Health Education
- Skin Tag Removal
- Skin Tightening Consultation
- Sun Protection Counseling
- Vitiligo Treatment
- Wart Treatment
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
- HighMark
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- IH-Open HMO Option
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Aetna Basic
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Beech Street PPO
- Sentara Health
- Blue Choice Advantage
- CareFirst NASCO
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- United Student Resources
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- OA Plus
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- IH-HMO
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Choice POS II
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- IH-PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- IH-Open POS II
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- CIGNA EPO
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Core Essential (HMO)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- UHC Passport
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- TRICARE East Select
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Network OA
- Medicare FFS
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Aetna Classic 3500
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- CIGNA Indemnity
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- POS OA
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Police and Fire Clinic
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- IH-POS
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Optimum Choice
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- TRICARE for Life East
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- First Health PPO
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Choice POS
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- IH-Open HMO
- Choice Fund PPO
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- TRICARE East Prime
- Medicare Direct
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Aetna HMO
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- IH-POS Plus
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Navigate
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Administrators
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- CIGNA PPO
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Employee Health Plan
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- IH-EPO Plus
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- IH-Indemnity
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Choice POS II Open Access
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- First Health PPO
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- CareFirst EPO
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- HealthyBlue PPO
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Dermatology, Dermatology
Board Certification: American Board of Dermatology, Dermatology
Fellowship: University Health Center (2019)
Residency: MedStar Washington Hospital Center (2018)
Internship: Summa Health System GME (2015)
Medical School: Northeastern Ohio Medical University (2014)
Hospital affiliations
News and publications
an adolescent male. Pediatr Dermatol. 2019 Jul;36(4):e79-e80. doi:
10.1111/pde.13823. PubMed PMID: 31290607.
2: Cardis MA, Jiang H, Strauss J, Gulley JL, Brownell I. Diffuse lichen
planus-like keratoses and clinical pseudo-progression associated with avelumab
treatment for Merkel cell carcinoma, a case report. BMC Cancer. 2019 Jun
4;19(1):539. doi: 10.1186/s12885-019-5759-1. PubMed PMID: 31164102; PubMed
Central PMCID: PMC6549366.
3: Cardis MA, Hathaway O, Brownell I. Innumerable lentigines in a mother and
daughter. Pediatr Dermatol. 2019 Jan;36(1):160-162. doi: 10.1111/pde.13701.
PubMed PMID: 30675945.
4: Cardis MA, Montealegre Sanchez GA, Goldbach-Mansky R, Richard Lee CC, Cowen
EW. Recurrent fevers, progressive lipodystrophy, and annular plaques in a child.
J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019 Jan;80(1):291-295. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2018.08.043. Epub
2018 Sep 8. PubMed PMID: 30205133.
5: Cardis MA, DeKlotz CMC. Topical sirolimus for treatment of a venolymphatic
malformation in an adolescent girl. Pediatr Dermatol. 2018 Nov;35(6):e406-e407.
doi: 10.1111/pde.13622. Epub 2018 Aug 28. PubMed PMID: 30152558.
6: Cardis MA, Huppmann AR, Kirkorian AY. Rapidly growing subcutaneous mass in an
infant. Dermatol Online J. 2018 Jul 26;24(5). pii: 13030/qt4q51v1cb. PubMed PMID:
30142742.
7: Cardis MA, Sowash MG, Mosojane KI, Kovarik C, Williams V. HIV-associated
erythema elevatum diutinum: a case report and review of a clinically distinct
variant. Dermatol Online J. 2018 May 15;24(5). pii: 13030/qt38c4c9g3. Review.
PubMed PMID: 30142732.
8: Cardis MA, DeKlotz CMC. Intralesional Deoxycholic Acid Treatment for
Fibrofatty Residua of Involuted Infantile Hemangiomas: A Novel Therapeutic
Approach. JAMA Dermatol. 2018 Jun 1;154(6):735-737. doi:
10.1001/jamadermatol.2018.0617. PubMed PMID: 29801031.
9: Cardis MA, Moshell AN. Diphenylcyclopropenone-induced psoriatic
koebnerization. Int J Dermatol. 2018 Apr;57(4):492-493. doi: 10.1111/ijd.13905.
Epub 2018 Jan 18. PubMed PMID: 29345301.
10: Cardis MA, Kirkorian AY. Giant Cutaneous Horn Arising in an Epidermal Nevus.
Pediatr Dermatol. 2017 Sep;34(5):e290-e291. doi: 10.1111/pde.13221. Epub 2017 Aug
7. Review. PubMed PMID: 28783212.
11: Cardis MA, DeKlotz CMC. Cutaneous manifestations of tuberous sclerosis
complex and the paediatrician's role. Arch Dis Child. 2017 Sep;102(9):858-863.
doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2016-312001. Epub 2017 Mar 28. Review. PubMed PMID:
28351834; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5574405.
12: Cardis MA, Pasieka HB. Grouped Pustules on an Erythematous Base. N Engl J
Med. 2017 Mar 9;376(10):971. doi: 10.1056/NEJMicm1609042. PubMed PMID: 28273013.
13: Cardis MA, Ni J, Bhawan J. Granular cell differentiation: A review of the
published work. J Dermatol. 2017 Mar;44(3):251-258. doi: 10.1111/1346-8138.13758.
Review. PubMed PMID: 28256763.
14: Cardis MA, Dugan EM, Silverman RA. Solitary Tumor on the Palm of a Young Boy.
Pediatr Dermatol. 2016 Nov;33(6):669-670. doi: 10.1111/pde.13020. PubMed PMID:
27882661.
15: Cardis MA, Pasieka HB. Safety of Topical Neuromodulators for the Treatment of
Pruritus. JAMA Dermatol. 2016 Dec 1;152(12):1390-1391. doi:
10.1001/jamadermatol.2016.3118. PubMed PMID: 27626772.