About me
John Conte, MD, is a highly experienced and accomplished cardiovascular surgeon at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital with over 30 years of experience. He is known for his expertise in treating aortic, coronary artery, and heart valve disease, often performing complex and re-operative surgeries.
A pioneer in his field, Dr. Conte was the first in Pennsylvania to use the HAART aortic valve ring, which is now commonly used. Additionally, he contributed to an early body of research that led to technologies like artificial hearts and heart pumps. A strong advocate of the safe integration of new technologies, he firmly believes it is a physician's responsibility to help clients navigate the world of developing technologies to determine the best option for their clinical situation and long-term health goals.
A strong advocate for the safe integration of new technologies, Dr. Conte firmly believes it is a physician's responsibility to help clients navigate the world of developing technologies to determine the best option for their clinical situation and their long-term health goals. He pays close attention to evolving technologies that will allow surgeons to do less invasive valve repairs and replacements and incorporates them into his clinical practice.
Dedicated to advancing cardiovascular knowledge and improving outcomes, Dr. Conte was integral in founding the Maryland Cardiac Surgery Quality Initiative (MCSQI) and served as its first president. The MCSQI’s mission is to bring surgeons from across the state together to share, review, and analyze data to improve patient outcomes and lower patient surgery costs. This organization focuses on collaboration versus competition and is moving the needle to ensure that every patient in Maryland receives the best care possible, regardless of location or means.
Dr. Conte completed his medical training and residency in general surgery at Georgetown University, followed by fellowship training in cardiothoracic surgery at Stanford University. His professional career began at the University of Maryland in 1995, where he held leadership positions. Later, he spent 20 years at Johns Hopkins Hospital before assuming the role of Chair of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Vice Chair of the Geisinger Heart Institute in 2020.
Throughout his long career, Dr. Conte has belonged to and held leadership positions in all the major cardiological society organizations. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the American College of Chest Physicians, and the American College of Cardiology. He has received numerous honors and awards, including a Meritorious Achievement Award in 2019 from the Maryland Cardiac Surgery Qualitative Initiative.
Philosophy of Care
“After decades of being away from Maryland, I am excited to return to my home where it all started. As an experienced practitioner, I look forward to being a part of a fantastic team of physicians who are dedicated to building and developing the program at MedStar Health.
“Once I take on a patient, I do everything possible to ensure they have the best shot possible to heal and recover. I want my patients to know that I am experienced, and more importantly, I will do what is best for them, no matter what.”
Clinical areas of focus
- Aneurysm Of Ascending Aorta
- Aortic Aneurysm
- Aortic Arch Aneurysm
- Aortic Valve Surgery
- Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
- Mitral Valve Replacement
- Reoperative Cardiac Surgery
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Aneurysm Of Ascending Aorta
- Aortic Aneurysm
- Aortic Arch Aneurysm
- Aortic Stenosis
- Aortic Ulcer
- Aortic Valve Sclerosis
- Double Aortic Arch
- Idiopathic Hypertrophic Subaortic Stenosis
- Infiltrative Disorders Of The Heart
- Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
- Loeys Dietz Syndrome
- Malignant Effusion
- Marfan Syndrome
- Maternal Valvular Disease
- Mediastinitis
- Mitral Regurgitation
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Mitral Valve Stenosis
- Myocardial Bridge
- Pericardial Effusion
- Pleural Effusion
- Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis
- Rupture Of Papillary Muscle
- Thoracoabdominal Aneurysm
- Tricuspid Stenosis
- Tricuspid Valve Disease
- Valvular Endocarditis
Procedures I perform
- Abdominal Aneurysm Repair
- Aortic Root Replacement
- Aortic Valve Replacement
- Aortic Valve Surgery
- Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Repair
- Balloon Catheter
- Bloodless Cardiac Surgery
- Convergent Procedure
- Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
- Cryoablation
- Embolectomy
- Endoscopic Surgery
- Epicardial Lead Placement
- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
- Intra Aortic Balloon Pump
- Left Atrial Appendage Closure
- Median Sternotomy
- Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement
- Minimally Invasive Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Closure
- Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Coronary Bypass Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair
- Mitral Valve Repair
- Mitral Valve Replacement
- Off Pump Coronary Artery Bypass
- Paravalvular Leak Repair
- Patent Foramen Ovale Closure
- Pericardiocentesis
- Pericardiotomy
- Prosthetic Heart Valves
- Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy
- Pulmonic Valve Replacement
- Reoperative Cardiac Surgery
- Replacement Of Heart Valve
- Septal Myectomy
- Surgical Ablation Of Atrial Fibrillation
- Thoracic Aneurysm Repair
- Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair
- Thrombectomy
- Total Endoscopic Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
- Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
- Tricuspid Valve Repair
- Tube Pericardiostomy
- Valvuloplasty
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.
-
List of insurance plans we accept
- Medicaid - District of Columbia
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- WellPoint Maryland
- United Choice Plus
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature-Added Choice
- Kaiser Flexible Choice
- United MD IPA Preferred (POS)
- Kaiser Medicare Plus
- Cigna PPO and PPO Plus
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Kaiser Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Cigna HMO & Network (HMO)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- United Navigate
- Federal Employee Program (Std/Basic PPO/Blue Focus)
- United MD IPA (HMO)
- Cigna POS Open Access & Open Access Plus
- Cigna EPO
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Innovation Health: Open Network Only Plus
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Cigna Indemnity
- Innovation Health: HMO & EPO Plus
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Innovation Health: POS Plus
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Cigna POS/Network POS
- Private Health Care Systems (PHCS) (PPO)
- Innovation Health: Indemnity
- United Choice
- Kaiser Select-Added Choice
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Traditional Medicare Fee for Service
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network (VA CCN)
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Virginia Premier
- United Options (PPO) (includes Empire PPO)
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Aetna HMO
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- United Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- I-SNP
- United Optimum Choice
- United Student Resources
- Innovation Health: POS
- Carefirst BlueChoice HMO
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Carefirst BlueChoice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Aetna Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO) |
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- United Mamsi Life & Health
- HumanaChoice Honor’s plan PPO
- CareFirst NASCO
- CareFirst BC/BS Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Kaiser Select
- Aetna Open HMO/Open HMO Option/Open EPO Plus
- United AARP Medicare Complete
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Carefirst BlueChoice Open Access
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs (HSCSN)
- Kaiser HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Innovation Health: Open POS Plus
- CareFirst Administrators
- Cigna Preferred Medicare
- United Select Plus (POS)
- Cigna HMO Open Access
- Carefirst Healthy Blue (HMO/POS)
- Medicaid - Virginia
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan (USFHP)
- First Health PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Cigna Choice Fund PPO
- Innovation Health: Open POS II
- United Erickson Advantage Plans
- United Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- United Group Medicare Advantage Plans
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Innovation Health: Network Only Plus
- Tricare for Life East
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Medicaid - Maryland
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- CareFirst Blue Card Program (Out-of-area BCBS plans)
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- United Core Essential (HMO)
- Tricare East Select
- Carefirst BlueChoice Opt Out Open Access
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- United Nursing Home Plan (C-SNP
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Maryland Point of Service Plan (MPOS)
- United Golden Rule
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- D-SNP)
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Carefirst EPO
- Innovation Health: PPO
- United Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Tricare East Prime
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Aetna Choice POS & Choice POS II
- Kaiser Signature
- HumanaChoice PPO
- United Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) & OCI Direct (HMO)
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- United GEHA (for all other states) Compass Rose
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA
- Aetna HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Carefirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Cigna Network Open Access
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery
Residency: ValleyCare-Stanford Health Care (1995)
Residency: Georgetown University Hospital (1992)
Graduate: Georgetown University (1986)