About me
Sara Berkey, MD, is a fellowship-trained colorectal surgeon at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. She specializes in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of benign and malignant disorders of the colon, rectum, and anus.
Dr. Berkey’s treatment methods involve both medical and surgical (in-office and operating room) techniques. She is specialty trained and certified to perform minimally invasive robotic surgery using the da Vinci® robotic surgery system. Robotic surgery reduces pain and discomfort, and therefore narcotic use; reduces recovery time; and allows patients to go home sooner, compared to traditional open surgical techniques.
Her clinical interests include improving the quality of life for patients with inflammatory bowel disease and pelvic floor conditions and treating young people with colorectal cancer. Her research interests include improving enhanced surgical recovery pathways to help improve patient outcomes. Dr. Berkey is passionate about increasing colon cancer screening rates in the African American population, the highest risk racial/ethnic group for colorectal cancer in the U.S.
Dr. Berkey received her medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine, where she was named Valedictorian of her class and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. She then completed a seven-year general surgery residency program, including two years of dedicated research time, with the University of Pittsburgh before joining MedStar Washington Hospital Center for a specialty fellowship in colon and rectal surgery. She is a member of the American College of Surgeons, the American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons, and the Association of Women Surgeons.
Dr. Berkey enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, biking, and spending time on the water.
Philosophy of Care
“The foundation of providing excellent care is a strong patient-physician relationship built on empathy, clear communication, and collaboration. From the very first time I meet my patients, I take the time to listen to their concerns and understand what their goals are for treatment. I emphasize teamwork between myself and my patients, as well as between myself and my colleagues, in order to provide the best possible care to my patients.
I feel honored when my patients say that they would recommend me to their friends and family.”
Clinical areas of focus
- Abdominoperineal Resection
- Anal Abscess
- Anal Fissures
- Bowel Obstruction
- Colon Cancer Surgery
- Crohn's Disease
- Diverticulitis
- Enterocele Repair
- Hemorrhoids
- Laparoscopic Colectomy
- Open Colectomy
- Perianal Surgery
- Rectal Cancer
- Rectal Cancer Surgery
- Sigmoid Colectomy
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Vaginal Fistula
- Vaginal Wall Prolapse
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
- Benign Neoplasm Of Skin
- Bladder Disorders
- Bladder Incontinence
- Bowel Obstruction
- Carcinoma In Situ Of Digestive Organs
- Colon Cancer
- Colon Polyps
- Colonic Diverticulosis
- Colonic Polyps
- Colorectal Malignancy
- Congenital Malformations Of Intestine
- 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
- Hemorrhoids
- Hemorrhoids And Perianal Venous Thrombosis
- Incisional Hernia
- Paracolostomy Hernia
- Perianal Fistula
- Perianal Itching
- Perianal Pain
- Pilonidal Cyst
- Pruritus
- Rectal Cancer
- Rectal Fissure
- Rectal Pain
- Spinal Stenosis
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Vaginal Fistula
- Vaginal Itching
- Vaginal Wall Prolapse
- Ventral Hernia
Procedures I perform
- Abdominoperineal Resection
- Anal Canal Reconstruction
- Anal Fistula Treatment
- Colectomy
- Colon Cancer Surgery
- Colonoscopy
- Colostomy
- Colostomy Revision
- Endorectal Advancement Flap
- Enterectomy
- Enterocele Repair
- Enteroscopy
- Hemorrhoidectomy
- J-Pouch Surgery
- Laparoscopic Colectomy
- Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy
- Open Colectomy
- Perianal Surgery
- Rectal Cancer Surgery
- Rectal Stricture Dilation
- Robotic Colpopexy
- Sigmoid Colectomy
- Small Bowel Resection
- Stoma Revision
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
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Core Essential (HMO)
- CIGNA EPO
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- OA Plus
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Beech Street PPO
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Navigate
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- POS OA
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Administrators
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- United Student Resources
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- United Healthcare Choice
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- IH-HMO
- IH-Open HMO
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Choice POS II
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Tricare Reserve Select
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- IH-PPO
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- HumanaChoice PPO
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- HighMark
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Choice Fund PPO
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Medicare FFS
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Aetna HMO
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- IH-Open POS II
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- CIGNA Indemnity
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- IH-Indemnity
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- MultiPlan, Inc
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- First Health PPO
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- Medicare Direct
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Aetna Basic
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- TRICARE for Life East
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- TRICARE East Prime
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- IH-Open HMO Option
- CIGNA PPO
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- CareFirst EPO
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- IH-EPO Plus
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- TRICARE East Select
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Aetna Classic 3500
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Employee Health Plan
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- CareFirst NASCO
- Optimum Choice
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Aetna VA Exchange
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- IH-POS
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- IH-POS Plus
- UHC Passport
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Sentara Health
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Network OA
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- First Health PPO
- Choice POS
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Colon & Rectal Surgery, Colon and Rectal Surgery
Board Certification: American Board of Surgery, General Surgery
Fellowship: MedStar Washington Hospital Center (2020)
Residency: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (2019)
Medical School: Tulane University (2012)