About me
Preetha Ali, MD, FACS, FASCRS is a general and colorectal surgeon at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Dr. Ali is double board certified in general and colon and rectal surgery. She specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of benign and malignant diseases in the colon and rectum, including common complaints such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures or fistulas to more complex conditions such as colorectal cancer and pelvic floor dysfunction. Dr. Ali especially takes great joy in improving the quality of life in women with pelvic floor disorders.
Dr. Ali performs a variety of surgical and endoscopic interventions including open, laparoscopic and robotic abdominal surgery (DaVinci Xi) for colon and rectal surgery; simple and complex anorectal surgery; and colonoscopies for screening and diagnostic purposes. She is also certified in placement of sacral neurostimulator devices. In all cases, Dr. Ali strives to provide her patients with the most effective and least invasive treatment method possible while also following national standards and guidelines.
Dr. Ali has a special interest in minimally invasive colon and rectal surgery via laparoscopic and robotic approaches of colorectal cancer and diverticulitis. She finds robotic surgery an exciting tool as it allows doctors to access areas that can be difficult to reach while also offering great visualization. To that end, she is certified in robotic surgery.
Dr. Ali obtained her BA in Chemistry from University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated magna cum laude. She went on to receive her medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Ali trained in general surgery at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, CT. Next, she completed a fellowship in colon and rectal surgery at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, WA.
Philosophy of care
“My practice is rooted in empathy, empowerment, and advocacy. When patients come to me, they often say that they felt like no one was listening to them or taking their symptoms seriously. I want my patients to know that I am going to listen and collaborate with them to address all their symptoms. It is my goal to make my patients feel comfortable and safe to share with me all their concerns, so that we can reach the best health outcomes possible. With all my patients, I am willing to go the extra mile: whether helping a patient feel comfortable through an awkward hemorrhoid exam or walking through all their options so they can make the best health decisions for themselves. When I work with referring physicians, I see our relationship as a partnership. I will always circle back with them to provide our mutual patients the best and most comprehensive care.”
Clinical areas of focus
- Abdominoperineal Resection
- Anal Abscess
- Anal Fissures
- Colon Cancer Surgery
- Crohn's Disease
- Diverticulitis
- Enterocele Repair
- Hemorrhoids
- Open Colectomy
- Perianal Surgery
- Rectal Cancer
- Rectal Cancer Surgery
- Robotic Colpopexy
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Vaginal Fistula
- Vaginal Wall Prolapse
- Vestibuloplasty
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abdomen, Lower Back, Pelvis, And Genital Open Wound
- Abnormal Digestive Findings
- Accessory Sinuses Cancer
- Anal Abscess
- Anal Cancer
- Anal Fissures
- Anal Venous Thrombosis
- Anus And Rectum Diseases
- Artificial Openings Complications
- Bladder Disorders
- Bladder Incontinence
- Bowel Obstruction
- Carcinoma In Situ Of Digestive Organs
- Colon Cancer
- Colonic Diverticulosis
- Colorectal Malignancy
- Congenital Malformations Of Intestine
- Constipation
- Crohn's Disease
- Crohn's Disease [Regional Enteritis]
- Cutaneous Abscess
- Digestive System Complications
- Diverticulitis
- Female Genital Tract Fistulae
- Functional Intestinal Disorders
- Gallbladder Disease
- Gastric Cancer
- Gastroenteritis
- Hemorrhoids
- Hemorrhoids And Perianal Venous Thrombosis
- Perianal Fistula
- Perianal Itching
- Pilonidal Cyst
- Pruritus
- Rectal Cancer
- Rectal Pain
- Spinal Stenosis
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Vaginal Fistula
- Vaginal Wall Prolapse
- Ventral Hernia
Procedures I perform
- Abdominoperineal Resection
- Anal Canal Reconstruction
- Anal Fistula Treatment
- Colectomy
- Colonoscopy
- Colostomy
- Colostomy Revision
- Compression Bandaging
- Da Vinci Gastrectomy
- Endorectal Advancement Flap
- Enterectomy
- Enterocele Repair
- Enteroscopy
- Foot Subcutaneous Tissue Diagnostic Drainage
- Hemorrhoidectomy
- J-Pouch Surgery
- Mastopexy
- Neobladder Creation
- Perianal Surgery
- Pilonidal Cyst Treatment
- Rectal Cancer Surgery
- Rectal Stricture Dilation
- Sigmoid Colectomy
- Small Bowel Resection
- Stoma Revision
- Venous Ulcer Treatment
- Vestibuloplasty
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
- CareFirst EPO
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- CareFirst NASCO
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Navigate
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Network OA
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Aetna Classic 5000
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- HumanaChoice PPO
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Choice POS II
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- TRICARE East Select
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- BlueChoice Open Access
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Choice Fund PPO
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- IH-EPO Plus
- CIGNA Indemnity
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- CareFirst Administrators
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- UHC Passport
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- IH-POS Plus
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- TRICARE East Prime
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- IH-Open POS Plus
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Aetna Classic 3500
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Choice POS
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Aetna HMO
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Police and Fire Clinic
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- HealthyBlue PPO
- CIGNA PPO
- IH-Indemnity
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Optimum Choice
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- IH-Open HMO
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- United Student Resources
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Beech Street PPO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- United Healthcare Choice
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- First Health PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- POS OA
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Tricare Reserve Select
- CIGNA EPO
- Sentara Health
- TRICARE for Life East
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Medicare FFS
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Employee Health Plan
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Aetna Basic
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- IH-HMO
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- OA Plus
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- HighMark
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Blue Choice Advantage
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- IH-Open POS II
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Medicare Direct
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- IH-POS
- First Health PPO
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- IH-PPO
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Aetna VA Exchange
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Colon & Rectal Surgery, Colon and Rectal Surgery
Board Certification: American Board of Surgery, General Surgery
Fellowship: Swedish Medical Center (2014)
Residency: Stamford Health System (2013)
Medical School: University of Maryland School of Medicine (2008)