About me
Rachel Harrison, MD, is a cardiac surgeon at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital. She is board certified in general and thoracic surgery.
Dr. Harrison treats ischemic cardiac disease, structural heart conditions, valvular disease, and rhythm disorders, often through minimally invasive approaches. She is uniquely skilled in complex lead extraction and management, related to pacemakers and defibrillators, which may be necessary due to infections, device recalls, and other complications.
As a result of Dr. Harrison’s advanced surgical training, she offers her patients high levels of confidence in her technical expertise. She’s also had significant experience caring for very sick patients––prior to joining MedStar Health, she managed advanced heart failure, providing mechanical support, such as LVADs, and heart transplantation. She has served as an educator in the fields of lead management and heart failure, sharing her knowledge with other clinicians.
Dr. Harrison’s current research interests focus on structural heart and valvular protocols, including minimally invasive methods for replacing and repairing the tricuspid and mitral valves.
Philosophy of Care
“Every patient of mine is number one––in the clinic and in the operating room. I ensure the whole care team is united in our goals for surgery, always prioritizing what’s best for the patient. I treat each person as if they were a member of my own family and help guide them through decisions with a measured approach. I am conservative when recommending surgery and will only do so if it is truly in the best interest of the patient.”
Clinical areas of focus
- Aortic Valve Disease
- Aortic Valve Repair
- Cardiopulmonary Bypass
- Coronary Artery Blockage
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Gastric Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
- Pericardial Window Creation
- Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
- Reoperation, Coronary Artery Bypass
- Spinal Pump Removal
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
- Acute Bacterial Endocarditis
- Aortic Aneurysm
- Aortic Arch Aneurysm
- Aortic Valve Disease
- Aortic Valve Regurgitation
- Atrial Septal Defect
- Coronary Artery Blockage
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Marfan Syndrome
- Mitral Valve Disease
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Mitral Valve Stenosis
- Myocardial Infarction (HEART ATTACK)
- Pleural Disease
- Pleural Effusion
- Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
- Rheumatic Tricuspid Valve Disease
- Thoracic Aortic Dissection
- Thoracoabdominal Aneurysm
- Tricuspid Stenosis
- Ventricular Septal Defect
- Visceral Artery Aneurysm
Procedures I perform
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
- Ablation For Atrial Fibrillation
- Aneurysm Repair
- Aortic Dissection Repair
- Aortic Root Replacement
- Aortic Valve Repair
- Atrial Septal Defect Repair
- Atrial Septum Supplement
- Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Cardiac Myxoma Excision
- Cardiac Output Assistance
- Cardiac Sampling And Pressure Measurement
- Cardiac Surgical Device Explantation
- Cardiopulmonary Bypass
- Cerebral Embolic Filtration
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
- Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
- Cystitis Treatment
- Destruction Of Conduction Mechanism
- Endoscopy With Vein Harvest
- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
- Fluoroscopy Bilateral Common Carotid Arteries
- Gastric Surgery
- Heart Failure Surgery
- Heart Pacemaker Implantation
- Heart Transplant
- Heart Transplantation
- Heart Ultrasonography
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Treatment
- Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump
- Intraaortic Balloon Pump Placement
- Left Abdomen Muscle Excision
- Left Ventricular Reconstruction
- Maze Procedure For Atrial Fibrillation
- Median Sternotomy
- Mediastinotomy
- Mesenteric Angiography
- Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
- Mitral Valve Repair
- Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
- Occlusion Of Left Atrial Appendage
- Pacemaker Pulse Generator Insertion
- Pancreas Allograft Preparation
- Pericardial Window Creation
- Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome Treatment
- Pulmonary Valve Replacement
- Removal Of Pacemaker Electrode
- Reoperation, Coronary Artery Bypass
- Spinal Pump Removal
- Subclavian Artery Extirpation
- Thoracic Aneurysm Repair
- Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair
- Transesophageal Echocardiography
- Transplant Pneumonectomy
- Transthoracic Echocardiography
- Tricuspid Valve Repair
- Tumor Resection And Reconstruction
- Valvuloplasty
- Ventricular Restoration
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
- TRICARE for Life East
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Tricare Reserve Select
- CareFirst Administrators
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- IH-POS Plus
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- POS OA
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- HighMark
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Choice POS II Open Access
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- IH-HMO
- CareFirst EPO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Navigate
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Beech Street PPO
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- UHC Passport
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- OA Plus
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- TRICARE East Prime
- IH-Open POS II
- Sentara Health
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Choice POS II
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- IH-Open POS Plus
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Core Essential (HMO)
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Aetna Classic 5000
- IH-Indemnity
- CareFirst NASCO
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- CIGNA PPO
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Medicare FFS
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Network OA
- First Health PPO
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- IH-Network Only Plus
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- IH-Open HMO
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Basic
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- CIGNA EPO
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Employee Health Plan
- IH-PPO
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- United Healthcare Choice
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Aetna HMO
- Choice POS
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- United Student Resources
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- IH-EPO Plus
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Optimum Choice
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Medicare Direct
- Choice Fund PPO
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- First Health PPO
- TRICARE East Select
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- IH-POS
Videos
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Surgery, General Surgery
Board Certification: American Board of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery
Residency: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (2016)
Residency: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (2014)
Medical School: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (2009)
Hospital affiliations
News and publications
Gangadharamurth D, Furqan MM, Klein AL, Malhotra S, Harrison R, Jaikumar L, Pidikiti, Richards, LeBaron, Patel, Jagtap, Prather J. Timely Recognition and Successful Clinical Outcome of an Acute Debakey Type I Aortic Dissection. Circulation;142:A13504, 12 Nov 2020.
Shi J, Tricot GJ, Malaviarachchi PA, Szmania SM, Kellum RE, Storrie B, Mulder A, Shaughnessy JD, Barlogie B, van Rhee F. Bortezomib Down-Regulates The Cell-Surface Expression Of HLA Class I And Enhances Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Lysis Of Myeloma. Blood. 2008 Feb; 111(3): 1309-1317.