MedStar Washington Hospital Center Department of Medicine

Our endocrine specialists provide both inpatient and outpatient care for people with disorders of the endocrine system. Patients have access to the most advanced diagnostic technology, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, radioactive iodine scans and treatment and PET scanning. When appropriate, patients can participate in clinical trials of new treatment approaches for diabetes, thyroid disease and obesity/metabolic syndrome.

For appointments, click here to learn about our MedStar Washington Hospital Center location →

Click here to learn more about endocrinology conditions →

Click here to learn more about diabetes care and endocrinology →

Click here to learn more about endocrine surgery →

Our advanced treatments and location at MedStar Washington Hospital ensure our patients have access to quick scheduling in our endoscopy suite for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Our close collaboration with the hospital pathologists also allow our patients to have quick results and prompt treatment.

Locations:

Gastroenterology at MedStar Washington Hospital Center →

Gastroenterology Consultants at MedStar Washington Hospital Center →

Based at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, our geriatrics and senior services team meets the needs of complex older adults with severe chronic illnesses. We care for people 65 years and over and offer team services in the community and at the hospital. We aim to provide the highest quality of medical care to the elders and families in Washington, D.C., who are most in need.

Click here to learn more about Geriatrics and Senior Services at MedStar Washington Hospital Center →

Click here to learn more about our House Call Program - MedStar Total Elder Care →

We are proud to be a part of the MedStar Georgetown Cancer Institute which combines medical expertise, the latest therapies, and research across Medstar Health. We are dedicated to offering comprehensive cancer care and care for benign hematological conditions to every patient, without exception. Our focus extends beyond treatment to include raising awareness, offering resources, and facilitating access to innovative therapies through participation in clinical trials.

Learn more about the MedStar Georgetown Cancer Institute at MedStar Washington Hospital Center →

The hospital medicine service manages and treats a wide range of complex diseases for patients admitted to the hospital. We coordinate care between specialists, oversee transitions of care and communicate with patients and their families regarding treatment plans. Our service comprises a blend of academic and non-academic healthcare providers, collectively managing the medical care of approximately 30 to 40% of hospitalized patients. Our academic hospitalists oversee the medicine residency training program. We provide night cross cover service for private medicine physicians overnight. We provide physician coverage for rapid responses. For 9 medical units our team provides MD and APP support as unit medical directors. Our providers participate in multiple committees throughout the hospital.

Learn more about Hospital Medicine services at MedStar Health →

The Infectious Diseases section provides inpatient and outpatient consultations on a wide variety of infections. In addition, the section provides outpatient continuity care to one of the largest HIV populations in the District and is a recipient of Ryan White funding. The section provides hospital support through Antibiotic Stewardship and Infection Prevention and provides infectious diseases guidance to MedStar Health. In addition, the section provides support to the Internal Medicine Residency with contributions from two associate program directors. The section has several ongoing initiatives in partnership with Infection Prevention, to include improving the rates of hospital-acquired infections, and with Pharmacy to improve the use of antibiotics. In addition, recent PI/QI projects include a case series of C. auris infections, the natural history of leukocytosis after LVAD placement and the appropriate use of beta-d-glucan testing.

For appointments, click here for the Infectious Diseases team at MedStar Washington Hospital Center →

Learn more about Infectious Disease services at MedStar Health →

General Internal Medicine at MedStar Washington Hospital Center is a faculty and residency primary care practice that provides personalized and comprehensive adult care for patients ages 18 and older. Our team of expert providers is unique in that it not only offers full-time faculty physicians and nurse practitioners but resident physicians as well. As a patient, this means you will receive more time and personal attention for your health condition, ensuring the best possible outcome. Our providers are committed to providing you with the highest quality medical care. We are focused on helping you manage your overall health with preventative care, annual physicals, and treatment when you are ill.

Click here for Internal Medicine at MedStar Washington Hospital Center →

MedStar Health nephrology is one of the country’s premier providers in diagnosing and treating kidney and urinary disorders in adults. To better serve our patients, we brought together a team of multidisciplinary medical and surgical specialists from across our organizational network. Our elite team evaluates and treats patients with known or suspected kidney disease in a timely and coordinated manner. The objective is always to deliver compassionate, patient-centered care.

For appointments, please visit Nephrology at MedStar Washington Hospital Center →

Learn more about Nephrology services at MedStar Health →

The Section of Palliative Medicine at MedStar Washington Hospital Center is a leader in palliative care, interprofessional clinical care, education, and research. Our physicians, advance practice providers, social workers, pharmacists, and chaplains provide for the physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs of our patients living with serious illness and their families. Last year, they provided consultation services to over 3000 inpatients and also provided clinic-based palliative care situated in oncology, cardiology, and general medicine clinics.

Learn more about Palliative Care services at MedStar Health →

For more information about palliative care research, please see this page as well as this blog.

The Pulmonary and Critical Care division at Medstar Washington Hospital Center has a large footprint across the hospital. They oversee the medical intensive care unit in addition to providing consult services and staffing outpatient clinics. We have fellowships in pulmonary and critical care medicine along with traditional critical care for those not pursuing joint certification in pulmonary medicine. In addition to providing core lectures for the internal medicine trainees we have regular curriculum and lectures devoted to critical care for interns, residents, and others rotating in the hospital’s ICUs. There are also didactic lectures for our fellows. Multiple faculty members win teaching awards regularly as recognition for their excellence as educators. With respect to research, the division has a long and successful track record in clinical research. Annually, faculty in the division publish over 15 articles annually.

Locations:

Lung and Esophageal Center at MedStar Washington Hospital Center →

Pulmonology at MedStar Washington Hospital Center →

Pulmonary services and treatments:

Pulmonology →

Interventional Pulmonology →

Interventional Pulmonology Treatments →

Laboratory for Sleep Disorders →

Lung Cancer Screening →

Lung Diseases →

Pulmonary Function Lab →

Pulmonary Hypertension program →

MedStar Washington Hospital Center’s Section of Rheumatology continues to be an active and exciting place to learn and work. Our doctors are experts at diagnosing and managing a broad spectrum of rheumatologic diseases and provide comprehensive care for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, sarcoidosis, lupus, gout, connective tissue disorders, vasculitis and other auto immune diseases. Last year, we logged more than 3,500 outpatient visits combined in our general arthritis, lupus, and faculty clinics. We are the only rheumatology service covering the inpatient consults at MedStar Washington, and annually, the team provides approximately 500 new inpatient consultations with a wide variety of rheumatic conditions.

For appointments, learn more about our MedStar Washington Hospital Center location →

Click here to learn more about Rheumatology Immunology and Allery services →

Click here to learn more about Rheumatology Immunology and Allergy treatments →

John H. Sherner, MD, FCCP, is a board-certified pulmonary and critical care physician at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, where he is currently Chairman of the Department of Medicine. He is also a professor of medicine at Georgetown University Hospital.

Dr. Sherner specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of all pulmonary ailments and illnesses, including shortness of breath, exercise limitation, asthma, COPD, pleural effusion, interstitial lung disease, sarcoidosis, and pulmonary fibrosis. In his practice, he uses a wide range of diagnostic procedures including radiographic studies, pulmonary function testing, thoracentesis, and bronchoscopy, as well as placing a heavy emphasis on the patient’s experience. His clinical interests include the use of point-of-care ultrasound to evaluate critically ill patients in real-time and treating patients with sarcoidosis and interstitial lung disease.

Diseases of the lungs can affect other organs in the body and may require attention from physicians of multiple specialties. Dr. Sherner collaborates with a multidisciplinary team of specialists at MedStar Washington Hospital Center to coordinate and provide individualized care for patients with a complex diagnosis. His experience in the Army instilled in him a deep respect for teamwork and collaboration, which he continues to practice in his role as a physician.

Education

Dr. Sherner received his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, TX, where he graduated with honors and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He then joined the Walter Reed Army Medical Center to complete an internal medicine residency and a three-year fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine. Before joining MedStar Washington Hospital Center, COL (Ret) Sherner served as Chief of the Department of Medicine at Ft. Belvoir Community Hospital and Director of the Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

As a dedicated medical educator, Dr. Sherner has aided in the development of medical education courses while serving as faculty for multiple medical training programs throughout his career, including the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, and both the Internal Medicine Residency Training Program and the Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Training Program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He has led national teaching activities and presentations and continues to be involved in the education and guidance of new physicians. In-line with his passion for medical education and the continued advancement of the field of pulmonary and critical care, Dr. Sherner has authored poster presentations, peer-reviewed publications, letters to editors, and a book chapter.

In 2017, 2018, and 2019 he was named a Distinguished CHEST Educator by the American College of Chest Physicians. He is also the recipient of numerous awards from the United States Army and the Department of Defense, including the Legion of Merit.

Philosophy of Care 

“My job as a healthcare provider extends beyond providing excellent medical care--it’s to advocate for my patients. I see myself as an educator that helps inform my patients about their diagnosis and treatment options, and I make sure they get the treatment and services they need.

“I truly enjoy getting to know my patients and building a unique relationship with them based on respect, compassion, and empathy. To provide a treatment protocol that is tailored to the specific needs of each patient, it’s imperative that I take the time to listen to them and understand their goals for treatment, while also hearing their concerns. I accompany my patients through the entire course of the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment process.”

Chee Chan, MD, MPH, FCCP completed her medical education at Albany Medical College, her Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey, and her fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care at Brown University.  She has been an employee at MedStar Washington Hospital Center since 2007.  Along with being the Vice Chair for the Department of Medicine, she is also the Medical Director of the Medical Intermediate Care Unit, and co-chairs the Sepsis Committee.

Over the years she has spearheaded numerous initiatives to enhance patient safety and quality.  Her leadership in developing and implementing evidence-based protocols has significantly reduced hospital-acquired infections and improved patient outcomes. She has a focus on improving communication and provider satisfaction.  Her dedication to mentoring young physicians and fostering a culture of continuous improvement underscores her commitment to excellence in healthcare delivery.  She has been awarded several teaching and CMO awards along with a Moral Courage award exemplifying her commitment to education and her patients.  

Hunter Groninger, MD serves as the Associate Chair of Research for the Department of Medicine.

Dr. Hunter Groninger is the recipient of the 2024 Dr. Richard Payne Leadership Award, given every two years by the Hastings Center to a palliative medicine physician dedicated to providing care to underserved populations.

Dr. Groninger is also a Master Facilitator with the Education for Palliative and End-of-Life Care (EPEC) Program at Northwestern University, a Faculty Affiliate in the Center for Biomedical Ethics and Medical Humanities at the University of Virginia, and an investigator at the MedStar Health Research Institute.

His research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NCI, NINR), the American Cancer Society, and the Palliative Care Research Cooperative. Some of his current studies include palliative care delivery in cardiovascular medicine, innovative symptom management strategies, and health disparities in serious illness care. Select citations can be seen at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1FojgbSWk6Y5H/bibliography/public.

In partnership with the MedStar Health Research Institute and the Georgetown University School of Medicine, our commitment to advancing clinical knowledge drives our quest for innovative solutions to complex health challenges. Our team of dedicated researchers, clinicians, and collaborators work at the forefront of medicine, integrating cutting-edge research with compassionate patient care with a focus on patient populations at risk. From studies in acute and chronic disease management to novel applications of technology and behavioral economics, our research endeavors are rooted in a deep understanding of the diverse needs of the patient populations we serve.

Dr. Sal Pindiprolu is program director for the internal medicine residency program at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. She earned her undergraduate and medical degrees in the combined BS/MD program at the University of Miami School of Medicine. She completed internal medicine training in the Yale Internal Medicine – Primary Care program, where she served for one additional year as chief resident. She joined the MedStar Washington Hospital Center in 2001, serving as associate program director for the medicine program beginning in 2003 and as program director since 2008. She is also Associate Designated Institutional Official (ADIO) for the MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

Sarah Rose Sabo, MSN, ACNP-BC is the director of advanced practice providers (APPs) for the Department of Medicine at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, and the regional APP director for Hospital Medicine, D.C. South. 

After graduating in 2005 from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Sarah began her career at Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems, first in the Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and later in the Emergency department (ED). During her five years at this level-one trauma center, Sarah provided skilled comprehensive care to diverse populations of critically-ill surgical patients and traumatically injured patients. In the ED, she was responsible for physical assessments to identify and manage life-sustaining functions in unstable patients and treated acute and chronically ill adults.   

After a short stint in the ICU at Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center in Virginia, she joined MedStar Washington in 2010. That same year, she graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing with a Master of Science in Nursing, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.

As the director of advanced practice for the department of medicine, Sarah manages advanced practice providers in 13 specialty areas.  She serves as an advocate to ensure her team is practicing at the top of their licenses and is an expert on compliance, competency, regulatory and policy issues, and scope of practice. 

In her role as regional APP director for Hospital Medicine, D.C. Southern Region, Sarah oversees the Hospital Medicine advanced practice providers at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital, and MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center. 

Sarah sits on the MedStar Health (MSH) Advanced Practice Advisory Council, professional practice subcommittee lead; MSH Credentialing Steering Committee; MSH VTE Coordination Group; MSH Hospital Medicine Clinical Practice Committee; MSH Hospital Medicine Patient Experience; MSH Hospital Medicine Throughput Optimization Coalition; MedStar Washington Hospital Center (MWHC) Advanced Practice Leadership Council; MWHC VTE Committee; MWHC Sepsis Committee; MWHC Handoff Steering Committee; MWHC MRSA Prevention Committee; MWHC Glycemic Control Steering Committee; MWHC Utilization Steering Committee; MWHC Antibiotic Subcommittee; MWHC CQISC, MWHC Patient Experience Advisory Board, Department Of Medicine Safety Officer.

Elijah A. Cheek, MS, MBA is currently the Senior Director for the Department of Medicine at MedStar Washington Hospital Center with direct oversight of the Internal Medicine and Medical Subspecialties service lines, since 2021.

In 2023, his scope of responsibility expanded to Subspecialty practices (Endocrine & Infectious Disease) located at MMMC, MSMH, and MSMHC.

Elijah earned his undergraduate degree from Virginia Union University with a concentration in Biology and a dual-master’s degree (MS/MBA) in Healthcare Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

Our team is made of up administrative support for 12 clinical service lines that rotate through the Family Health Center's four locations on the MWHC campus.