About me
Cristina Merkhofer, MD, MHS, is a medical oncologist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. She specializes in treating head and neck cancers, including squamous cell carcinoma, salivary gland cancers, and thyroid cancers. She also specializes in thoracic cancers, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and thymic malignancies.
As a medical oncologist, Dr. Merkhofer oversees medication-based treatments for cancer, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies. She collaborates with colleagues in radiation oncology, surgery, and other medical specialties to develop personalized treatment plans for her patients. She cares deeply about making her patients feel heard and giving them enough information to make the best decisions for themselves and their families.
Dr. Merkhofer graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania before earning a Master of Health Science in international health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She obtained her MD at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. She completed her residency in internal medicine and participated in the Global Health and Underserved Populations track at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Merkhofer then completed a fellowship in hematology and oncology at the University of Washington/Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. She is board-certified in internal medicine and medical oncology.
With a strong background in global health and health services research, Dr. Merkhofer strives to improve access to oncology care in the DC area and bring promising new therapies to her patients. For her prior research in advanced lung cancer, she has been honored with a 2020 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Young Investigator Award, a 2020 Conquer Cancer Merit Award, and the Stork Petersdorf Lung Cancer Research Award. She is an active member of ASCO and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer.
Philosophy of Care
“I believe that the physician-patient relationship is sacred. I see my patients as whole people with unique goals, histories, and challenges, and not just defined by their illness. My goal is to help my patients understand their illness and to provide strong support so that they can make the best health decisions for themselves and their families. I am committed to bringing the latest treatments to my patients and to improving access to oncology care in the DC area.”
About MedStar Georgetown Cancer Institute
MedStar Washington and MedStar Georgetown are part of the MedStar Georgetown Cancer Institute, which combines medical expertise, the latest therapies, and research across MedStar Health. Our research engine, the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in the Washington, D.C., region. This partnership means we provide access to cutting-edge clinical trials and the latest breakthroughs in cancer care.
Clinical areas of focus
- Blood Clotting Disorder Treatment
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Treatment
- Lung Cancer Treatment
- Oncology Consultation
- Prostate Cancer Treatment
- Tumor Marker Testing
Procedures I perform
- Anemia Management
- Antiangiogenic Therapy
- Blood Cell Count
- Blood Chemistry Test
- Blood Clot Treatment
- Blood Clotting Disorder Treatment
- Blood Disorder Diagnosis
- Blood Transfusion
- Bone Cancer Staging
- Breast Cancer Treatment
- Cancer Clinical Trial Management
- Cancer Genetics Evaluation
- Cancer Pain Management
- Cancer Rehabilitation
- Cancer Risk Assessment
- Cancer Treatment
- Chemotherapy Administration
- Clinical Trials
- Coagulopathy Management
- Colorectal Cancer Treatment
- Cushing Syndrome Management
- Deep Vein Thrombosis Management
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Treatment
- Genetic Counseling
- Heart Pacemaker Implantation
- Hematology Consultation
- Hepatic Artery Infusion
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Intravenous (IV) Fluids
- Intravenous Antibiotics
- Leukemia Treatment
- Liver Disease Consultation
- Lung Cancer Treatment
- Lymph Node Biopsy
- Lymphoma Management
- Lymphoma Treatment
- Magnesium Imbalance Treatment
- Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplant
- Multiple Myeloma Treatment
- Neutropenia Management
- Newborn Screening Tests
- Nonautologous Platelets Transfusion
- Nonautologous Red Blood Cells Transfusion
- Oncology Consultation
- Pain Management Consultation
- Palliative Care Consultation
- Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation
- Prolotherapy Infusions
- Prostate Cancer Treatment
- Red Blood Cell Transfusion
- Sickle Cell Anemia Treatment
- Surgical Oncology Surgery
- Thrombophilia Management
- Tumor Marker Testing
- Vitamin Deficiency Management
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
- Choice POS II
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Navigate
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- TRICARE East Prime
- TRICARE East Select
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- First Health PPO
- Optimum Choice
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- HighMark
- IH-POS
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Aetna HMO
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Choice POS
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- United Healthcare Choice
- Tricare Reserve Select
- TRICARE for Life East
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Choice Fund PPO
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Network OA
- Medicare Direct
- Aetna Basic
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- CIGNA PPO
- Blue Choice Advantage
- CIGNA EPO
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- OA Plus
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Employee Health Plan
- Aetna VA Exchange
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Sentara Health
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Choice POS II Open Access
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- CareFirst EPO
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- IH-POS Plus
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- IH-HMO
- IH-EPO Plus
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Medicare FFS
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- IH-PPO
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- CareFirst NASCO
- CareFirst Administrators
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- IH-Indemnity
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- United Student Resources
- MultiPlan, Inc
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- HumanaChoice PPO
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- IH-Open POS II
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- HealthyBlue PPO
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Beech Street PPO
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- UHC Passport
- BlueChoice Open Access
- POS OA
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- IH-Open HMO
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Police and Fire Clinic
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- First Health PPO
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Hematology
Fellowship: University of Washington School of Medicine (2020)
Residency: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine-GME (2017)
Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health (2014)