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
Practice locations
Distance from Change Location Enter your Location
110 Irving St NW
Cancer Institute 2nd Fl
Washington, DC, 20010
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
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- CIGNA Indemnity
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Optimum Choice
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- CIGNA EPO
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- TRICARE East Prime
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- IH-Open POS II
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- POS OA
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- IH-POS Plus
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Choice Fund PPO
- TRICARE East Select
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- TRICARE for Life East
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- CareFirst NASCO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Aetna Basic
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- IH-Open HMO
- IH-Indemnity
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- IH-HMO
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- HealthyBlue PPO
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- IH-POS
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- OA Plus
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- IH-EPO Plus
- UHC Passport
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Medicare FFS
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- First Health PPO
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Medicare Direct
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- United Healthcare Choice
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Employee Health Plan
- Navigate
- HighMark
- Choice POS II
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- CareFirst Administrators
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- IH-PPO
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst EPO
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- CIGNA PPO
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- IH-Open HMO Option
- United Student Resources
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Choice POS
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Core Essential (HMO)
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Network OA
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Police and Fire Clinic
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- First Health PPO
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Aetna HMO
- Beech Street PPO
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Sentara Health
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Aetna Classic 3500
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology
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)