About me
Robert David Golden, MD, is a member of the MedStar Orthopaedic Institute and currently serves as Chief of Orthopaedic Trauma at the MedStar Washington Hospital Center, the Washington, D.C. region’s referral center for multiple trauma and mass trauma incidents. Dr. Golden is a member of the MedSTAR Trauma Team, which provides life-saving care in major incidents such as the September 11th attacks on the Pentagon in 2001, the Navy Yard shooting in 2011, and the Congressional baseball shooting in 2017 which injured Officer Crystal Griner and Representative Steve Scalise.
As an orthopaedic trauma surgeon, Dr. Golden specializes in fracture care and other musculoskeletal injuries resulting from a traumatic injury, such as motor vehicle accidents, falls, or shootings. He also specializes in treating patients who have had a previous injury that did not correctly heal, developed an infection, or had a subsequent issue as the result of another injury.
In addition to his vast surgical expertise, Dr. Golden is committed to using cutting-edge technology to ensure the patient’s recovery is the best it can be. As every fracture is unique, Dr. Golden is able to utilize his experience, problem solving, and creative abilities to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Dr. Golden received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine before joining Brigham and Women’s Hospital for an internship and residency training in general surgery. He then trained as part of the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Surgery Program and finally, completed fellowship training at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center.
When not in the Trauma Bay, Dr. Golden spends the majority of his free time with his two children. He also participates in triathlons which allow him to test his physical limits, stay in shape, and understand athletic injuries even better. He often partners with charities such as the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America for triathlons to help raise funds for research and patient care.
Dr. Golden grew up in Randallstown, MD and was a Lieutenant Firefighter and EMS Director for the College Park Volunteer Fire Department. He is an active member of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association and a clinical professor at George Washington University, as well as on the academic staff at MedStar Georgetown University. He also received the 2017 Nurses’ Choice Collaboration Award as recognition of the outstanding work he is performing.
Philosophy of Care
“I am passionate about orthopaedic trauma, as it allows me to intervene and restore the patient’s quality of life after first seeing them in the Emergency Department or Trauma Bay following one of the worst days of their life. I get the satisfaction of seeing the patient’s x-rays, after I have intervened, with the bones realigned as well as seeing their progress throughout the entire episode of care.
“I also enjoy the interdisciplinary aspect of Orthopaedic Trauma, as I often collaborate with other renowned trauma surgeons at MedStar Health in addition to the MedSTAR Trauma Team to provide life-saving care to patients. Care for the entire person is the focus and I'm proud of the services we provide.”
Patient Story:
Clinical areas of focus
- Arm Fracture
- Femur (THIGH BONE) Fracture
- Lower Leg And Ankle Fracture
- Malunion (IMPROPERLY HEALED FRACTURE)
- Pelvic Fracture
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Ankle And Foot Fracture
- Ankle And Foot Ligament Sprain
- Ankle Joint Dislocation
- Arm Fracture
- Bone Infection (OSTEOMYELITIS)
- Collarbone Fracture
- Femur (THIGH BONE) Fracture
- Femur Shaft Fracture
- Foot Dislocation
- Forearm Fracture
- Hand And Wrist Fracture
- Hip Joint Dislocation
- Joint Sprain
- Knee Dislocation
- Knee Joint And Ligament Sprain
- Limb Deformity
- Lower Leg And Ankle Fracture
- Lower Leg Fracture
- Lumbar Spine And Pelvis Joint Dislocation
- Malunion (IMPROPERLY HEALED FRACTURE)
- Nonunion Of Bone
- Patella Dislocation
- Pelvic Fracture
- Shoulder Fracture
- Toe Dislocation
- Toe Joint Sprain
- Wrist And Hand Joint And Ligament Dislocation And Sprain
Procedures I perform
- Ankle Fracture Treatment
- Ankle Ligament Repair
- Arm Osteotomy
- Bone Graft
- Bone Infection Treatment
- Calcaneal Fracture Treatment
- Calcaneus Fracture Fixation
- Clavicle Fracture Fixation
- Clavicle Fracture Treatment
- Closed Radial Head Or Neck Fracture Treatment
- Closed Treatment Of Femoral Fracture Without Manipulation
- Comminuted Fracture Treatment
- Distal Humerus Fracture Fixation
- Distal Radius Fracture Fixation
- Elbow Dislocation Reduction
- Elbow Fracture Open Reduction Internal Fixation
- External Fixation Device Insertion
- External Fixation Of Right Tarsal
- Femur Fracture Stabilization
- Fibula Fracture Fixation
- Fibula Fracture Treatment
- Fracture Reduction And Internal Fixation
- Heel Tendon Repair
- Hip Joint Replacement
- Humerus Fracture Fixation
- Humerus Fracture Treatment
- Internal Fixation Device Insertion
- Internal Lengthening Nail
- Intertrochanteric Fracture Treatment
- Intramedullary Nailing
- Joint Dislocation Treatment
- Left Hip Replacement
- Left Pelvic Bone Internal Fixation
- Malunion Treatment
- Metacarpal Fracture Fixation
- Metatarsal Fracture Fixation
- Metatarsal Fracture Treatment
- Nonunion Treatment
- Olecranon Fracture Fixation
- Open Reduction And Internal Fixation
- Open Treatment Of Tibial Fracture
- Osteotomy
- Patella Fracture Fixation
- Percutaneous Femoral Fracture Fixation
- Percutaneous Skeletal Fixation
- Periarticular Fracture Treatment
- Proximal Humeral Fracture Treatment
- Proximal Humerus Fracture Fixation
- Radial Head Fracture Fixation
- Radial Shaft Fracture Fixation
- Radius Fracture Fixation
- Removal Of Implant
- Removal Of Internal Fixation Device
- Reposition Acetabulum With Internal Fixation
- Reposition Femoral Shaft With External Fixation
- Reposition Femoral Shaft With Internal Fixation
- Reposition Femoral Shaft With Intramedullary Fixation
- Reposition Humeral Head With Internal Fixation
- Reposition Humeral Shaft With Internal Fixation
- Reposition Radius With Internal Fixation
- Reposition Right Tibia
- Reposition Upper Femur With Internal Fixation
- Rib Fracture Treatment
- Right Hip Replacement
- Scapula Fracture Fixation
- Scapula Fracture Treatment
- Shoulder Arthroscopy
- Talar Fracture Fixation
- Talus Fracture Treatment
- Tarsal Fracture Fixation
- Tarsal Fracture Treatment
- Tibia Fracture Fixation
- Tibia Fracture Treatment
- Tibial Plateau Fracture Fixation
- Tibial Spine Fracture Fixation
- Toe Sprain Treatment
- Ulna Fracture Fixation
- Ulna Reposition With Internal Fixation
- Ulnar Shaft Fracture Fixation
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
- First Health PPO
- POS OA
- IH-POS
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Aetna Classic 3500
- CareFirst NASCO
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- First Health PPO
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Navigate
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- IH-Open HMO
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- UHC Passport
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- CIGNA Indemnity
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- CareFirst Administrators
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Core Essential (HMO)
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- IH-Open POS II
- Medicare FFS
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Sentara Health
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- CIGNA EPO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Choice POS
- Network OA
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Aetna VA Exchange
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Aetna HMO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- TRICARE East Select
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- TRICARE for Life East
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Optimum Choice
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Police and Fire Clinic
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- United Healthcare Choice
- TRICARE East Prime
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- IH-PPO
- MultiPlan, Inc
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- CareFirst EPO
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- United Student Resources
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Aetna Basic
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- IH-EPO Plus
- BlueChoice Open Access
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Choice POS II
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- OA Plus
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- IH-POS Plus
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- HighMark
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Choice Fund PPO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- IH-HMO
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Employee Health Plan
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- IH-Indemnity
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Medicare Direct
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Beech Street PPO
- CIGNA PPO
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- HealthyBlue PPO
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery
Fellowship: University of Maryland Medical System (2009)
Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital (2008)
Internship: Brigham and Womens Hospital (2004)
Medical School: University of Pennsylvania (2001)
Awards
- Washingtonian Top Doc 2025 November 2017 - Honored by U.S. Capitol Police for care delivered to injured officer after shooting at Congressional Baseball practice
- September 2017 - Honored by Majority Whip Steve Scalise at U.S. House of Representatives session for care delivered after Congressional Baseball practice shooting
- July 2017 - Honored at White House by the President of the United States for care delivered to victims of the Congressional Baseball practice shooting
- May 2017 - 2017 Nurses’ Choice Physician Collaboration Award
- June 2008 -Best Research Paper Award (Residency Thesis Project)
- Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program May 2001
- Dr. I. S. Ravdin Prize (Surgical Studies) University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine May 2001
- William T. Fitts, Jr. Memorial Prize (Trauma Surgery) University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, May 1994
- Society of Fire Protection Engineers Award Outstanding Senior in Fire Protection Engineering University of Maryland, College Park
- May 1993-August 1993 Senior Summer Scholarship University of Maryland, College Park
Hospital affiliations
News and publications
- Hawks MA, Kim H, Strauss JE, Oliphant BW, Golden RD, Hsieh AH, Nascone JW, O’Toole RV. Does a trochanteric lag screw improve fixation of vertically oriented femoral neck fractures? A biomechanical analysis in cadaveric bone. Clin Biomech (Briston, Avon) 2013;28:886-891.
- Golden RD, Kim H, Watson JD, Oliphant BW, Doro C, Hsieh AH, Osgood GM, O'Toole RV. How much vertical displacement of the symphysis indicates instability after pelvic injury? J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2013 Feb;74(2):585-9.
- Jockel CR, Gardenal RM, Chen NC, Golden RD, Jupiter JB, Capomassi M. Intermediate-term outcomes for floating elbow and floating elbow variant injuries. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2013 Feb;22(2):280-5.
- Oliphant BW, Kim H, Osgood GM, Golden RD, Hawks MA, Hsieh AH, Oʼtoole RV. Predrilling does not improve the pullout strength of external fixator pins: a biomechanical study. J Orthop Trauma. 2013 Feb;27(2):e25-30.
- Golden RD and Rodriguez EK. Management of Subtrochanteric femur fractures with internal fixation and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-7 in a patient with osteopetrosis: a case report, Journal of Medical Case Reports. 2010, 4:142
- Golden RD, Rodriguez EK. Management of bilateral subtrochanteric femur fractures with internal fixation and rhBMP-7 in a patient with osteopetrosis. A case report and review of the literature. The Orthopaedic Journal at Harvard Medical School. 2007; 9: 147-150.
- Golden RD, Pill SG, Carpentieri DF, Hubbard AM, and Dormans JP. Arm pain in an 8-year-old boy. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 2002; 402: 288-91, 299-301.