About me
Robert David Golden, MD, is a member of the MedStar Orthopaedic Institute and currently serves as Chief of Orthopaedic Trauma at the MedStar Washington Hospital Center, the Washington, D.C. region’s referral center for multiple trauma and mass trauma incidents. Dr. Golden is a member of the MedSTAR Trauma Team, which provides life-saving care in major incidents such as the September 11th attacks on the Pentagon in 2001, the Navy Yard shooting in 2011, and the Congressional baseball shooting in 2017 which injured Officer Crystal Griner and Representative Steve Scalise.
As an orthopaedic trauma surgeon, Dr. Golden specializes in fracture care and other musculoskeletal injuries resulting from a traumatic injury, such as motor vehicle accidents, falls, or shootings. He also specializes in treating patients who have had a previous injury that did not correctly heal, developed an infection, or had a subsequent issue as the result of another injury.
In addition to his vast surgical expertise, Dr. Golden is committed to using cutting-edge technology to ensure the patient’s recovery is the best it can be. As every fracture is unique, Dr. Golden is able to utilize his experience, problem solving, and creative abilities to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Dr. Golden received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine before joining Brigham and Women’s Hospital for an internship and residency training in general surgery. He then trained as part of the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Surgery Program and finally, completed fellowship training at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center.
When not in the Trauma Bay, Dr. Golden spends the majority of his free time with his two children. He also participates in triathlons which allow him to test his physical limits, stay in shape, and understand athletic injuries even better. He often partners with charities such as the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America for triathlons to help raise funds for research and patient care.
Dr. Golden grew up in Randallstown, MD and was a Lieutenant Firefighter and EMS Director for the College Park Volunteer Fire Department. He is an active member of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association and a clinical professor at George Washington University, as well as on the academic staff at MedStar Georgetown University. He also received the 2017 Nurses’ Choice Collaboration Award as recognition of the outstanding work he is performing.
Philosophy of Care
“I am passionate about orthopaedic trauma, as it allows me to intervene and restore the patient’s quality of life after first seeing them in the Emergency Department or Trauma Bay following one of the worst days of their life. I get the satisfaction of seeing the patient’s x-rays, after I have intervened, with the bones realigned as well as seeing their progress throughout the entire episode of care.
“I also enjoy the interdisciplinary aspect of Orthopaedic Trauma, as I often collaborate with other renowned trauma surgeons at MedStar Health in addition to the MedSTAR Trauma Team to provide life-saving care to patients. Care for the entire person is the focus and I'm proud of the services we provide.”
Patient Story:
Clinical areas of focus
- Hand And Wrist Fracture
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Ankle And Foot Fracture
- Ankle And Foot Ligament Sprain
- Ankle Joint Dislocation
- Arm Fracture
- Bone Cyst
- Bone Infection (OSTEOMYELITIS)
- Collarbone Fracture
- Femur (THIGH BONE) Fracture
- Femur Shaft Fracture
- Foot Dislocation
- Forearm Fracture
- Hand And Wrist Fracture
- Hip Joint Dislocation
- Hip Pain
- Joint Sprain
- Knee Dislocation
- Knee Joint And Ligament Sprain
- Limb Deformity
- Lower Leg And Ankle Fracture
- Lower Leg Fracture
- Lumbar Spine And Pelvis Joint Dislocation
- Lumbar Spine Fracture
- Malunion (IMPROPERLY HEALED FRACTURE)
- Malunion Fracture Of The Spine
- Patella Dislocation
- Pelvic Fracture
- Shoulder Fracture
- Toe Dislocation
- Toe Joint Sprain
- Wrist And Hand Joint And Ligament Dislocation And Sprain
Procedures I perform
- Ankle Fracture Treatment
- Ankle Joint Replacement
- Ankle Ligament Repair
- Arm Osteotomy
- Bone Graft
- Bone Infection Treatment
- Calcaneal Fracture Treatment
- Calcaneus Fracture Fixation
- Cancer Treatment
- Clavicle Fracture Fixation
- Clavicle Fracture Treatment
- Closed Radial Head Or Neck Fracture Treatment
- Closed Treatment Of Femoral Fracture Without Manipulation
- Comminuted Fracture Treatment
- Complex Fracture Treatment
- Distal Humerus Fracture Fixation
- Distal Radius Fracture Fixation
- Elbow Arthroscopy
- Elbow Dislocation Reduction
- Elbow Fracture Open Reduction Internal Fixation
- Elbow Joint Replacement
- Elbow Ligament Repair
- External Fixation Device Insertion
- External Fixation Of Right Tarsal
- Femur Fracture Stabilization
- Fibula Fracture Fixation
- Fibula Fracture Treatment
- Finger Arthroscopy
- Flap Surgery
- Fracture Reduction And Internal Fixation
- Heel Tendon Repair
- Hip Joint Replacement
- Hip Resurfacing
- Humerus Fracture Fixation
- Humerus Fracture Treatment
- Internal Fixation Device Insertion
- Internal Lengthening Nail
- Intertrochanteric Fracture Treatment
- Intestinal Reconstruction
- Intramedullary Nailing
- Joint Arthroscopy
- Joint Dislocation Treatment
- Joint Replacement Revision
- Knee Arthroscopy With Meniscectomy
- Knee Replacement
- Knee Revision Surgery
- Left Hip Replacement
- Left Pelvic Bone Internal Fixation
- Malunion Treatment
- Metacarpal Fracture Fixation
- Metatarsal Fracture Fixation
- Metatarsal Fracture Treatment
- Microsurgical Reconstruction Of The Upper Limb
- Nonunion Treatment
- Olecranon Fracture Fixation
- Open Reduction And Internal Fixation
- Open Treatment Of Tibial Fracture
- Osteochondral Defect Treatment
- Osteotomy
- Patella Fracture Fixation
- Pelvic Pain Treatment
- Percutaneous Femoral Fracture Fixation
- Percutaneous Skeletal Fixation
- Periarticular Fracture Treatment
- Proximal Humeral Fracture Treatment
- Proximal Humerus Fracture Fixation
- Radial Head Fracture Fixation
- Radial Shaft Fracture Fixation
- Radius Fracture Fixation
- Removal Of Implant
- Removal Of Internal Fixation Device
- Reposition Acetabulum With Internal Fixation
- Reposition Femoral Shaft With External Fixation
- Reposition Femoral Shaft With Internal Fixation
- Reposition Femoral Shaft With Intramedullary Fixation
- Reposition Humeral Head With Internal Fixation
- Reposition Humeral Shaft With Internal Fixation
- Reposition Radius With Internal Fixation
- Reposition Right Tibia
- Reposition Upper Femur With Internal Fixation
- Restless Leg Syndrome Treatment
- Revascularization Of Amputated Limb
- Rib Fracture Treatment
- Right Hip Replacement
- Scapula Fracture Fixation
- Scapula Fracture Treatment
- Shoulder Arthroscopy
- Shoulder Joint Replacement
- Shoulder Ligament Reconstruction
- Talar Fracture Fixation
- Talus Fracture Treatment
- Tarsal Fracture Fixation
- Tarsal Fracture Treatment
- Tibia Fracture Fixation
- Tibia Fracture Treatment
- Tibial Plateau Fracture Fixation
- Tibial Spine Fracture Fixation
- Toe Sprain Treatment
- Ulna Fracture Fixation
- Ulna Reposition With Internal Fixation
- Ulnar Shaft Fracture Fixation
- Venous Access Device Removal
- Wrist Instability Reconstruction
- Wrist Instability Treatment
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
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- CIGNA EPO
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- CareFirst Administrators
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- TRICARE East Select
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- OA Plus
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- CIGNA PPO
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Choice POS II
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Aetna HMO
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- HighMark
- Choice Fund PPO
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- UHC Passport
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- IH-HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Employee Health Plan
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- HumanaChoice PPO
- IH-POS Plus
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Navigate
- Aetna Basic
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Medicare FFS
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- TRICARE East Prime
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- First Health PPO
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- IH-EPO Plus
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- Choice POS
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- POS OA
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- IH-PPO
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- IH-POS
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Aetna Classic 5000
- BlueChoice Open Access
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- IH-Indemnity
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- IH-Open POS II
- Optimum Choice
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Core Essential (HMO)
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- United Student Resources
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst EPO
- TRICARE for Life East
- Network OA
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- CareFirst NASCO
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- United Healthcare Choice
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Medicare Direct
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- IH-Open HMO
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Sentara Health
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Beech Street PPO
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- First Health PPO
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery
Fellowship: University of Maryland Medical System (2009)
Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital (2008)
Internship: Brigham and Womens Hospital (2004)
Medical School: University of Pennsylvania (2001)
Awards
- November 2017 - Honored by U.S. Capitol Police for care delivered to injured officer after shooting at Congressional Baseball practice
- September 2017 - Honored by Majority Whip Steve Scalise at U.S. House of Representatives session for care delivered after Congressional Baseball practice shooting
- July 2017 - Honored at White House by the President of the United States for care delivered to victims of the Congressional Baseball practice shooting
- May 2017 - 2017 Nurses’ Choice Physician Collaboration Award
- June 2008 -Best Research Paper Award (Residency Thesis Project)
- Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program May 2001
- Dr. I. S. Ravdin Prize (Surgical Studies) University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine May 2001
- William T. Fitts, Jr. Memorial Prize (Trauma Surgery) University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, May 1994
- Society of Fire Protection Engineers Award Outstanding Senior in Fire Protection Engineering University of Maryland, College Park
- May 1993-August 1993 Senior Summer Scholarship University of Maryland, College Park
Hospital affiliations
Urgent care affiliations
News and publications
- Hawks MA, Kim H, Strauss JE, Oliphant BW, Golden RD, Hsieh AH, Nascone JW, O’Toole RV. Does a trochanteric lag screw improve fixation of vertically oriented femoral neck fractures? A biomechanical analysis in cadaveric bone. Clin Biomech (Briston, Avon) 2013;28:886-891.
- Golden RD, Kim H, Watson JD, Oliphant BW, Doro C, Hsieh AH, Osgood GM, O'Toole RV. How much vertical displacement of the symphysis indicates instability after pelvic injury? J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2013 Feb;74(2):585-9.
- Jockel CR, Gardenal RM, Chen NC, Golden RD, Jupiter JB, Capomassi M. Intermediate-term outcomes for floating elbow and floating elbow variant injuries. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2013 Feb;22(2):280-5.
- Oliphant BW, Kim H, Osgood GM, Golden RD, Hawks MA, Hsieh AH, Oʼtoole RV. Predrilling does not improve the pullout strength of external fixator pins: a biomechanical study. J Orthop Trauma. 2013 Feb;27(2):e25-30.
- Golden RD and Rodriguez EK. Management of Subtrochanteric femur fractures with internal fixation and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-7 in a patient with osteopetrosis: a case report, Journal of Medical Case Reports. 2010, 4:142
- Golden RD, Rodriguez EK. Management of bilateral subtrochanteric femur fractures with internal fixation and rhBMP-7 in a patient with osteopetrosis. A case report and review of the literature. The Orthopaedic Journal at Harvard Medical School. 2007; 9: 147-150.
- Golden RD, Pill SG, Carpentieri DF, Hubbard AM, and Dormans JP. Arm pain in an 8-year-old boy. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 2002; 402: 288-91, 299-301.