Ralph Mangusan, DNP MPH MSN NP

Provider is directly employed by MedStar Health

Ralph Mangusan, DNP, MPH, CRNP, is a nurse practitioner at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (3800 Reservoir Rd NW, Washington, DC) who specializes in treating leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and other blood cancers. He supports people before, during, and after allogeneic and autologous bone marrow transplants and CAR T-cell therapy, working closely with the physician-led team at every step. With a thoughtful, patient-centered approach, he helps each person understand what is happening, what comes next, and how the plan fits their goals from the start.

Philosophy of Care

His philosophy begins with a simple promise: you will be treated as a person, not a diagnosis. Facing blood cancer can change life in an instant, and it often brings fear, fatigue, and uncertainty. Ralph strives to offer a steady presence, compassionate support, and guidance that reflects both the medical facts and what matters most to you.

His goal is to help you make decisions at a pace you can manage and to revisit them as your needs change. He explains options in plain language, checks in often to be sure your questions have been answered, and makes room for the emotions that can come with treatment.

He also pays attention to what life looks like between visits. Treatment can affect sleep, appetite, energy, and routines. He makes space to talk about how you are coping and works with you to find practical ways forward. He also encourages you to discuss symptoms and concerns early so he can respond promptly.

Care works best when it is a true partnership among you, the people you trust, and the full clinical team. Ralph collaborates closely with nurses, dietitians, social workers, and other specialists so resources are in place when needs arise. His hope is that you leave each visit feeling respected, supported, and more confident about the road ahead.

Training & Experience

He earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice and a post-graduate certificate in Adult and Geriatric Primary Care from Duke University. He holds a Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Building on this foundation, he completed specialty training in adult oncology, clinical research, and advanced high-resolution anoscopy, a procedure that uses a specialized scope to examine the anal canal and surrounding tissue for abnormal changes. Before joining MedStar Georgetown, he spent several years at the National Cancer Institute caring for people enrolled in phase I/II clinical trials as well as natural history studies, which follow patients over time to see how a condition changes and how treatment affects daily life.

He is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society, the American Nurses Association, and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. By staying actively engaged with these organizations, he brings patients the reassurance that their treatment plan reflects current standards and safety practices.

Research & Clinical Impact

Alongside his clinical work, Ralph contributes to research aimed at improving outcomes for people undergoing a bone marrow transplant. His interests include reducing treatment-related toxicities (side effects that can be serious or difficult to tolerate) and addressing psychosocial needs, including stress, anxiety or depression, financial concerns, transportation challenges, and caregiver support. He has supported clinical trials, contributed to research activities like data collection and review, and shared findings through peer-reviewed publications and professional conference presentations.