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Dr. Richard Waldhorn, MD

Accepting New Patients
Specializes in: Adult Pulmonology and Adult Critical Care
Boston University School of Medicine (1976)
Professional interests include: empyema, injuries, hemoptysis, and more.
18101 Prince Philip Drive Suite 421
Olney, MD 20832

Dr. Richard Waldhorn, MD is a pulmonologist in Washington, DC specializing in adult pulmonology and adult critical care. He graduated from Boston University School of Medicine in 1976 and has 48 years of experience. Dr. Richard Waldhorn, MD is affiliated with MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, MedStar Montgomery Medical Center, MedStar Health and MGMC LLC.

View Doctor's Full Profile (202) 295-0547

Office Locations

Address:

3800 Reservoir Road Northwest
Washington, DC 20007

Address:

18101 Prince Philip Drive Suite 421
Olney, MD 20832

Some issues Dr. Richard Waldhorn, MD can help you with:

Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy is a procedure in which a thin tube with a camera, called a bronchoscope, is inserted in the mouth or nose and slowly advanced to the lungs. This allows doctors to see the respiratory tract, which includes the throat, larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), bronchi (airways), and lungs. Doctors may recommend those who have or show signs of lung problems - for example, lung cancer or difficulty breathing - to undergo a bronchoscopy.

In performing a diagnostic bronchoscopy, doctors may only wish to visualize the respiratory tract, or doctors may also collect samples of tissue or fluid. The samples can help diagnose patients' conditions or, if patients have cancer, they can be used for staging purposes. One method for sample collection is bronchoalveolar lavage. In a bronchoalveolar lavage, doctors inject saline (salt water) through the bronchoscope and then suction it out of the airways. The washout collected is tested for lung disorders. Doctors can also insert a biopsy tool to collect tissue or mucus samples. The following are biopsies that can be performed by bronchoscopy:

  • Brush biopsy, which uses a brush to collect samples.
  • Endobronchial biopsy, which uses the bronchoscope to guide forceps to sample lung tissue.
  • Transbronchial biopsy, which uses forceps and image guidance - such as X-rays, CT scans, or fluoroscopy - to sample lung tissue.
  • Transbronchial fine needle aspiration (TBNA), which uses a small needle to take samples of the lymph nodes or lungs.

For visualization, bronchoscopy can be done alone, or it can be combined with ultrasound. Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) allows real-time imaging of the airway and is used for diagnosing and staging lung cancer, as well as for determining where the cancer has spread. EBUS can be performed with TBNA, a procedure known as endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA).

Doctors can also use bronchoscopy as a treatment for lung problems. For example, if a foreign body is trapped in the airway, doctors can insert forceps through the bronchoscope to remove it. If the airway has become narrowed - which may occur if patients have an infection, cancer, or some other inflammatory issue - bronchoscopy can be used to place a device called a stent in the area of constriction. The stent will keep the airway open, allowing the patient to breathe properly.

During a bronchoscopy, patients will be given medication (sedative) to help them relax. If it is only a diagnostic bronchoscopy, patients will be kept awake, but if the bronchoscopy is for therapeutic purposes, patients will be put to sleep by general anesthesia. After the procedure, patients will need to stay in the hospital for a few hours. They will not be able to eat or drink for about 2 hours. Some patients may experience discomfort, such as a sore throat or pain while swallowing. Throat lozenges and gargling may help alleviate these symptoms, which should go away after a few days. Patients will need to have someone drive them home once their doctor determines that they are ready.

CPAP Treatment

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment is a medical treatment for people with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea interrupts breathing during sleep, resulting in lapses of oxygen. Lapses of oxygen may in turn lead to severe headaches, heart problems, fatigue, and poor sleep quality. The CPAP device remedies sleep apnea by forcing open the airway with pressurized air, ensuring someone receives enough oxygen while sleeping. The CPAP device is a mask attached to a machine (with a tube) that takes in air from the surrounding room, filters it, and then pressurizes it. The constant flow of pressurized air treats sleep apnea by keeping the tongue and soft palate from obstructing the throat and airway. Benefits of CPAP treatment include:

  • Improved concentration and focus
  • Reduced snoring
  • Lowered risk of heart disease and stroke
  • Improved mental health

In order to receive a CPAP device, patients must receive a prescription from a physician. Some patients may be asked to complete an overnight sleep study known as a titration study. A titration study monitors patients' sleep using a mask attached to a CPAP machine. The technician may monitor and adjust the CPAP's air pressure throughout the night. The purpose of a titration study is to determine the appropriate air pressure for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (blocked upper airway). Once an appropriate CPAP pressure is identified, physicians or sleep technicians may recommend a specific brand or style of device to the patient for long-term use.

Lung Issues

Every cell in the body requires oxygen to function and produces carbon dioxide as a waste product. In order to keep the body's tissues constantly supplied with fresh oxygen and to keep waste from building up, the lungs pump air in and out, even while sleeping or unaware. Unfortunately, diseases and disorders affecting the lungs are some of the most common medical problems afflicting people around the world. Some of the most common lung problems include asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and lung cancer.

Asthma is a chronic disease where swollen, inflamed airways make it hard to breathe. It is often brought on by specific triggers. While asthma is a common condition, affecting millions of people, it can also be serious and even fatal in severe cases. Treatment involves avoiding triggers and using inhaled corticosteroid medications.

COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is the name given to two illnesses that both cause difficulty breathing: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. In emphysema, the air sacs of the lungs become damaged, while with bronchitis they become clogged with mucus. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. It is almost always caused by breathing irritants into the lungs, such as smoking or heavy pollution.

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by bacteria, a virus, or fungi. Most healthy people recover from pneumonia in a week or two, but for some people pneumonia can be fatal. There are treatments available for pneumonia, but the best treatment is to prevent getting sick in the first place. People who are at risk should make sure they get a flu shot every year. There is also a vaccine available for the type of bacteria that causes pneumonia.

Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells inside the lung grow into a tumor, destroying healthy tissue. Because it is so difficult to detect lung cancer in early stages when it has few symptoms, it is the deadliest form of cancer, responsible for the most cancer deaths both in the U.S. and worldwide. Most lung cancer is caused by exposure to tobacco smoke, but between 10-15% of cases are not linked to smoking.

Some problems with the lungs are minor and are not cause for concern. However if symptoms have lasted for a month or more, even if they are minor, it is worth checking with a healthcare professional. A cough, shortness of breath, or excess mucus production that lingers for weeks are all worth getting looked at.

In The News (see more mentions in the news)

“The family also said they had consulted with Dr. Richard Waldhorn, a pulmonary specialist and former chair of the Department of Medicine at Georgetown University Medical Center, who advised them...”—"Trevor Reed's family says he's back in a Russian prison hospital but not getting care", NPR, April 2022
“RICHARD WALDHORN: The arithmetic suggests that we will outstrip hospital resources, particularly intensive care resources, in waves as the pandemic spreads.”—"U.S. Hospitals Fear Coronavirus Crunch", NPR, March 2020
“U.S. hospitals currently have about 45,000 intensive care unit beds, according to a report from Eric Toner and Richard Waldhorn at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security.”—"The Next Big Coronavirus Worry: Can Hospitals Handle The Influx?", Huff Post, March 2020

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Richard Waldhorn, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Richard Waldhorn, MD treated as a pulmonologist in Washington, DC were sleep study and airway management.

airway management 13
doctor visit 28
sleep study 13

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Richard Waldhorn, MD.

Gender
Male 15
Female 15
Ethnicity
Black / African American 7
Asian / Pacific Islander
Non-Hispanic White 8
Native American / Alaskan Native
Hispanic
Other
Age
75 to 84 2
85 and over
Less than 65 1
65 to 74 13

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Richard Waldhorn, MD From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Richard Waldhorn, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension 52
High Cholesterol 41
Stroke
Ischemic Heart Disease 17
Depression 6
Chronic Kidney Disease 12
Asthma
Osteoporosis
Heart Failure 2
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Diabetes 27
Atrial Fibrillation
Cancer
Dementia

Education & Training

Dr. Richard Waldhorn, MD graduated from Boston University School of Medicine in 1976. He completed residency at Georgetown University Hospital. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine American Board of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease and has a state license in District of Columbia.

Medical School: Boston University School of Medicine (1976)

Residency: Georgetown University Hospital (1979)

Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine American Board of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease

Licensed In: District of Columbia

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Richard Waldhorn, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
MedStar Health
MGMC LLC

Insurance Information

Please note: Insurance information may change at any time, and the provider may accept your insurance plan even if it is not listed below. Please contact the provider's office to confirm that your insurance is accepted.

Dr. Richard Waldhorn, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: CIGNA Choice Fund PPO, MAMSI, First Health PPO, Blue Choice, Golden Rule, Great-West Healthcare, TRICARE, Community Care Network (CCN), Coventry, TRICARE Reserve Select, Anthem, Aetna Managed Choice POS, Beech Street PPO, Aetna HMO, Kaiser Select, Kaiser Permanente, CIGNA EPO, Aetna Medicare PPO, CIGNA Indemnity, AARP, Medicare Advantage, Coventry National Network PPO, United Healthcare, Medicaid, Humana, Cigna, Virginia Premier Health Plan, WellPoint, Aetna, CIGNA Network Open Access, Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS), HealthyBlue PPO, MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice, CareFirst NASCO, CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO, Traditional Medicare Fee for Service, United Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) & OCI Direct (HMO), Innovation Health: Open POS Plus, MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families, Carefirst EPO, Innovation Health: HMO & EPO Plus, United Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program, CareFirst Administrators, United Student Resources, United Select HMO - EPO/NPP, United MD IPA Preferred (POS), United Options (PPO) (includes Empire PPO), Innovation Health: Network Only Plus, United MD IPA (HMO), United Choice Plus, CareFirst Blue Card Program (Out-of-area BCBS plans), Innovation Health: PPO, HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO, MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance, United Choice, United Optimum Choice, Federal Employee Program (Std/Basic PPO/Blue Focus), Innovation Health: POS, Maryland Point of Service Plan (MPOS), Innovation Health: Open Network Only Plus, United Select Plus (POS), CareFirst BC/BS Advantage Core/Enhanced, United Erickson Advantage Plans, Health Services for Children with Special Needs (HSCSN), Carefirst Healthy Blue (HMO/POS), D-SNP), I-SNP, CareFirst MedStar PPO, CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity, United Core Essential (HMO), Innovation Health: POS Plus, HumanaChoice PPO, United Nursing Home Plan (C-SNP, Innovation Health: Open POS II, Innovation Health: Indemnity, United GEHA (for all other states) Compass Rose, Veterans Affairs Community Care Network, United Navigate, Carefirst Blue Preferred PPO, Police and Fire Clinic and CareFirst MedStar Select PPO.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Richard Waldhorn, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

CIGNA Choice Fund PPO
MAMSI
First Health PPO
Blue Choice
Golden Rule
Great-West Healthcare
TRICARE
Community Care Network (CCN)
Coventry
TRICARE Reserve Select
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Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Richard Waldhorn, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars based on 208 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Richard Waldhorn, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Washington, DC. 

4.8
Overall Rating
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Biography

Dr. Richard Waldhorn's specialties are adult critical care and adult pulmonology. His clinical interests include airway obstruction, tracheal stenosis, and pneumonitis (lung inflammation). Dr. Waldhorn appears to be in-network for Anthem, Blue California, and Coventry, in addition to other insurance carriers. He is a graduate of Boston University School of Medicine. His medical residency was performed at Georgetown University Hospital. Dr. Waldhorn is professionally affiliated with MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and MedStar Montgomery Medical Center. According to Doctor.com, new patients are welcome to contact his office in Washington, DC.

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