About me
Kristen Whitaker, MD, MS is a board-certified medical oncologist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Prior to joining MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Dr. Whitaker served as an assistant professor at the NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, Fox Chase, in Philadelphia, PA for four years, where she treated patients with breast cancer and patients at high risk for developing breast and other types of cancers.
Dr. Whitaker specializes in treating patients with breast cancer. She is a member of the multidisciplinary team that makes up the Breast Health Program at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Dr. Whitaker’s approach to patient care is centered around collaboration with other providers and patients and providing evidence-based recommendations for patient care. She strives to take the unique needs of each of her patients into consideration and incorporates newer tools, such as genetic testing and tumor molecular profiling, to tailor treatments for her patients. Her goal is to ensure that her patients have the best possible outcomes from their cancer while taking care to minimize the number of therapies, side effects of therapy and personal hardships that patients experience because of their cancer treatment.
When Dr. Whitaker meets with patients, she is optimistic and positive because she knows that there are many effective therapy options available that can treat and, in many cases, cure her patients. While chemotherapy and hormonal therapy were once the cornerstone of breast cancer treatment, today Dr. Whitaker is excited to offer her patients newer therapies, such as targeted therapies and immunotherapy, which improve cancer outcomes with less side effects. She is particularly excited that MedStar Washington Hospital Center has many clinical trial options, allowing patients from diverse backgrounds earlier access to what may become the breast cancer treatments of the future.
Dr. Whitaker is passionate about working towards eliminating racial health disparities, especially among patients with cancer. To that end, she has been published and has received multiple awards, including the 2022 NIH Loan Repayment Health Disparities Award and a 2022 AACR Career Development Award to Further Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Clinical Cancer Research.
Dr. Whitaker received her medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. She then completed a three-year residency in internal medicine at George Washington University, prior to completing a three-year fellowship in hematology/oncology at the NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Chicago. She simultaneously completed a Master of Science at the University of Chicago while completing her fellowship. She is a member of American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Association for Cancer Research.
Philosophy of care
“As a native Washingtonian, I am honored to be back in my hometown serving my community. As a physician, my goal is to empower each of my patients to make the best decisions about their healthcare by educating them about the most up-to-date and proven treatment for their cancer. It is also important to me to take the time to answer questions and address concerns my patients may have at any time during their cancer journey. My patients quickly learn that there is no question that is too big or too small for us to talk about. I value collaboration from my patients and other providers and make myself readily available to both to address any questions or concerns, as I realize this is essential to providing the best possible care for my patients. I enjoy getting to know my patients as individuals and building a relationship where my patients trust me and have confidence that I always have their best interests.”
Clinical areas of focus
- Oncology Consultation
- Pathology Consultation
- Tumor Immunohistochemistry
Procedures I perform
- Bladder Cancer
- Bladder Cancer Surgery
- Bladder Tumor Removal
- Blood Banking
- Bone Cancer Staging
- Breast Biopsy
- Cancer Pain Management
- Chemotherapy Administration
- Clinical Trials Participation
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- Hematology Consultation
- Hepatic Artery Infusion
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Insertion Infusion Device
- Intravenous (IV) Fluids
- Introduction Of Antineoplastic
- Kidney Cancer
- Kidney Cancer Treatment
- Kidney Resection
- Low-Dose Rate Brachytherapy For Prostate Cancer
- Lymph Node Biopsy
- Lymph Node Removal
- Metastatic Cancer Treatment
- Oncology Consultation
- Parathyroid Tumor Surgery
- Pathology Consultation
- Penile Cancer
- Penile Cancer Surgery
- Penile Tumor Removal
- Prolotherapy Infusions
- Prostate Cancer Surgery
- Prostate Cancer Treatment
- Removal Of Central Venous Access Device
- Renal Cancer Treatment
- Renal Metastases Treatment
- Seminoma Treatment
- Subdural Grid Placement
- Testicular Cancer
- Testicular Cancer Surgery
- Testicular Tumor Removal
- Transitional Cell Carcinoma Treatment
- Tumor Immunohistochemistry
- Tumor Marker Testing
- Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy
- Urinary Tract Cancer Treatment
- Uveitic Glaucoma Treatment
- Vascular Access Device Management
- Venous Access Device Removal
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
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- HighMark
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- CareFirst EPO
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Tricare Reserve Select
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- IH-Open HMO Option
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- BlueChoice Open Access
- CareFirst Administrators
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Aetna HMO
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- IH-Indemnity
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- CareFirst NASCO
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- United Healthcare Choice
- CIGNA EPO
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- IH-POS Plus
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Beech Street PPO
- POS OA
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Aetna Basic
- IH-Open POS Plus
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Sentara Health
- TRICARE for Life East
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- UHC Passport
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- IH-Open HMO
- United Student Resources
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- IH-Open POS II
- IH-PPO
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- TRICARE East Select
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Choice Fund PPO
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Medicare Direct
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Optimum Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Network OA
- Employee Health Plan
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Choice POS
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- CIGNA Indemnity
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- First Health PPO
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Aetna VA Exchange
- CIGNA PPO
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- IH-EPO Plus
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Aetna Classic 3500
- IH-HMO
- OA Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Choice POS II
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Medicare FFS
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- TRICARE East Prime
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- IH-POS
- Navigate
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- First Health PPO
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology/Medical Oncology
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine
Fellowship: University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine (2018)
Residency: George Washington University School of Medicine (2015)
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine (2012)