About me
John Conte, MD, is a highly experienced and accomplished cardiovascular surgeon at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital with over 30 years of experience. He is known for his expertise in treating aortic, coronary artery, and heart valve disease, often performing complex and re-operative surgeries.
A pioneer in his field, Dr. Conte was the first in Pennsylvania to use the HAART aortic valve ring, which is now commonly used. Additionally, he contributed to an early body of research that led to technologies like artificial hearts and heart pumps. A strong advocate of the safe integration of new technologies, he firmly believes it is a physician's responsibility to help clients navigate the world of developing technologies to determine the best option for their clinical situation and long-term health goals.
A strong advocate for the safe integration of new technologies, Dr. Conte firmly believes it is a physician's responsibility to help clients navigate the world of developing technologies to determine the best option for their clinical situation and their long-term health goals. He pays close attention to evolving technologies that will allow surgeons to do less invasive valve repairs and replacements and incorporates them into his clinical practice.
Dedicated to advancing cardiovascular knowledge and improving outcomes, Dr. Conte was integral in founding the Maryland Cardiac Surgery Quality Initiative (MCSQI) and served as its first president. The MCSQI’s mission is to bring surgeons from across the state together to share, review, and analyze data to improve patient outcomes and lower patient surgery costs. This organization focuses on collaboration versus competition and is moving the needle to ensure that every patient in Maryland receives the best care possible, regardless of location or means.
Dr. Conte completed his medical training and residency in general surgery at Georgetown University, followed by fellowship training in cardiothoracic surgery at Stanford University. His professional career began at the University of Maryland in 1995, where he held leadership positions. Later, he spent 20 years at Johns Hopkins Hospital before assuming the role of Chair of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Vice Chair of the Geisinger Heart Institute in 2020.
Throughout his long career, Dr. Conte has belonged to and held leadership positions in all the major cardiological society organizations. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the American College of Chest Physicians, and the American College of Cardiology. He has received numerous honors and awards, including a Meritorious Achievement Award in 2019 from the Maryland Cardiac Surgery Qualitative Initiative.
Philosophy of Care
“After decades of being away from Maryland, I am excited to return to my home where it all started. As an experienced practitioner, I look forward to being a part of a fantastic team of physicians who are dedicated to building and developing the program at MedStar Health.
“Once I take on a patient, I do everything possible to ensure they have the best shot possible to heal and recover. I want my patients to know that I am experienced, and more importantly, I will do what is best for them, no matter what.”
Clinical areas of focus
- Aortic Aneurysm
- Aortic Root Replacement
- Aortic Valve Disease
- Aortic Valve Repair
- Bentall Procedure
- Cardiac Tamponade
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Mitral Valve Repair
- Myocardial Infarction
- Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
- Rheumatic Tricuspid Valve Disease
- Thoracic Aortic Dissection
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
- Acute Bacterial Endocarditis
- Aneurysm Of Ascending Aorta
- Aortic Aneurysm
- Aortic Arch Aneurysm
- Aortic Valve Disease
- Aortic Valve Regurgitation
- Atrial Septal Defect
- Cardiac Prosthetic Device Complications
- Cardiac Tamponade
- Coronary Artery Blockage
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Marfan Syndrome
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Mitral Valve Stenosis
- Myocardial Infarction
- Patent Foramen Ovale
- Pleural Effusion
- Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
- Rheumatic Tricuspid Valve Disease
- Thoracic Aortic Dissection
- Thoracoabdominal Aneurysm
- Tricuspid Stenosis
- Ventricular Septal Defect
- Visceral Artery Aneurysm
Procedures I perform
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
- Abdominal Wall Stoma Repair
- Ablation For Atrial Fibrillation
- Aneurysm Repair
- Angioplasty
- Aortic Root Replacement
- Aortic Valve Repair
- Arthrocentesis
- Automated External Defibrillator
- Cardiac Ablation For Ventricular Tachycardia
- Cardiac Catheterization
- Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Cardiac Myxoma Excision
- Cardiac Output Assistance
- Cardiac Output Monitoring
- Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
- Cardiopulmonary Bypass
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- Cardioversion
- Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
- Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
- Device Implantation For Heart Failure
- Echocardiography
- Electrocardiogram
- Endoscopy With Vein Harvest
- Event Monitoring
- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
- Heart Pacemaker Implantation
- Heart Transplant
- Heart Ultrasonography
- Holter Monitoring
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Treatment
- Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Placement
- Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump Insertion
- Intraaortic Balloon Pump Placement
- Maze Procedure For Atrial Fibrillation
- Mesenteric Angiography
- Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
- Mitral Valve Repair
- Pericardial Window Creation
- Peripheral Venous Access
- Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome Treatment
- Pulmonary Valve Replacement
- Stenting Of An Artery
- Thoracic Aneurysm Repair
- Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair
- Transesophageal Echocardiography
- Transplant Pneumonectomy
- Transthoracic Echocardiography
- Tricuspid Valve Repair
- Valvuloplasty
- Ventricular Restoration
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 Open Access
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- United Healthcare Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- First Health PPO
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Optimum Choice
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- IH-EPO Plus
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- HighMark
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Network OA
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- CIGNA Indemnity
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- IH-PPO
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- IH-Open POS Plus
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Choice POS
- Aetna HMO
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Beech Street PPO
- Aetna Classic 3500
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- CareFirst EPO
- Choice Fund PPO
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Employee Health Plan
- Aetna Basic
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Sentara Health
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- IH-Network Only Plus
- IH-POS
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- CareFirst NASCO
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- IH-Open HMO
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Medicare Direct
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- UHC Passport
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- TRICARE East Select
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- IH-Open HMO Option
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Core Essential (HMO)
- BlueChoice Open Access
- United Student Resources
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- IH-Indemnity
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- TRICARE for Life East
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- First Health PPO
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- CareFirst Administrators
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- CIGNA EPO
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Navigate
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- OA Plus
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna Classic 5000
- IH-Open POS II
- CIGNA PPO
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- IH-POS Plus
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Medicare FFS
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- TRICARE East Prime
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Choice POS II
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- IH-HMO
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- POS OA
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery
Residency: ValleyCare-Stanford Health Care (1995)
Residency: Georgetown University Hospital (1992)
Graduate: Georgetown University (1986)