Joseph James Jennings, MD| Gastroenterology | MedStar Health
About me
Dr. Joseph J. Jennings is a board-certified gastroenterologist with a focus on bleeding within the GI tract. He graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 2012 and completed his Internal Medicine training at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in 2015. He served as the Chief Medical Resident for MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and served as an attending physician in Internal Medicine at the Washington DC VA Medical Center and Virginia Hospital Center as well. He completed his three year fellowship in Gastroenterology at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and served as Chief Fellow in 2018-2019.
Dr. Jennings strives to create a relationship with his patients that promotes joint decision making and patient empowerment. He also has a strong interest in medical education and training. He currently serves as the associate director for the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital's gastroenterology fellowship program.
Dr. Jennings is board certfied in Internal Medicine since 2015 and Gastroenterology/Hepatology since 2019 (Dr. Jennings Board Certifications). He has been recognized by multiple organizations as a "Top Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist" both for the DC region as well as on the national level.
Dr. Jennings sees patients at three locations currently:
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital for in person or virtual clinic visits as well as endoscopic procedures (Monday, Tuesday, Wedenesday mornings, and Friday afternoons)
MedStar Lafayette Centre for clinic visits as well as endoscopic procedures (Thursday, and Friday mornings)
MedStar McLean for in person clinic visits (First Wednesdays of each month)
Clinical areas of focus
- Abdominal Distention
- Abnormal Bowel Movement
- Abnormal Stool
- Anal Fissure
- Bleeding Hemorrhoids
- Chronic Diarrhea
- Colonoscopy
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding
- Helicobacter Pylori
- Postprandial Diarrhea
- Rectal Pain
- Stomach Pain
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abdominal Bloating
- Abdominal Distention
- Abdominal Pain
- Abnormal Bowel Movement
- Abnormal Liver Function Blood Test
- Abnormal Stool
- Achalasia
- Acute Blood Loss Anemia
- Acute Pancreatitis
- Alcoholic Liver Disease
- Allergic Colitis
- Allergic Esophagitis
- Allergic Gastroenteritis
- Altered Bowel Habits
- Ampullary Adenoma
- Anal Cancer
- Anal Carcinoma In Situ
- Anal Fissure
- Anal Fistula
- Anal Itching
- Anal Pain
- Anal Polyp
- Anal Spasm
- Anal Stenosis
- Anal Ulcer
- Anemia
- Angiodysplasia Of Intestine (WITHOUT MENTION OF HEMORRHAGE)
- Appendiceal Cancer
- Ascites
- Atrophic Gastritis Without Mention Of Hemorrhage
- Autoimmune Enteropathy
- Autoimmune Gastritis
- Barrett's Esophagus
- Benign Neoplasm Of Colon
- Bleeding Hemorrhoids
- Blood In Stool
- Bright Red Blood Per Rectum
- Celiac Disease
- Choking Sensation
- Cholecystitis
- Cholelithiasis
- Cholestasis
- Chronic Abdominal Pain
- Chronic Diarrhea
- Cirrhosis
- Clostridium Difficile
- Collagenous Colitis
- Colon Stricture
- Colonic Cryptitis
- Colonic Mass
- Colonic Polyps
- Colorectal Malignancy
- Constipation
- Crohn's Disease
- Diarrhea
- Diverticular Disease
- Diverticulitis
- Drug Induced Liver Injury
- Duodenal Adenoma
- Duodenal Stricture
- Duodenal Ulcer
- Duodenitis
- Dyspepsia
- Dysphagia
- Enterocolitis
- Eosinophilic Colitis
- Eosinophilic Enteritis
- Eosinophilic Esophagitis
- Epigastric Pain
- Esophageal Cancer
- Esophageal Disease
- Esophageal Inlet Patch
- Esophageal Mass
- Esophageal Ring
- Esophageal Stricture
- Esophageal Thickening
- Esophageal Ulcer
- Esophageal Varices
- Esophagitis
- Esophagogastric Junction Outflow Obstruction
- Family History Of Colon Cancer
- Family History Of Colon Polyps
- Fatty Liver
- Foreign Body (DIGESTIVE SYSTEM)
- Gallbladder Cancer
- Gallbladder Polyp
- Gastric Inlet Patch
- Gastric Ulcer
- Gastritis
- Gastroenteritis
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer
- Gastrointestinal (GI) Stromal Tumors
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding
- Gastrointestinal Submucosal Tumors
- Gastrojejunal Ulcer
- Gluten Allergy
- Gluten Intolerance
- Gluten Sensitivity
- Helicobacter Pylori
- Hemochromatosis
- Hemorrhage Of Gastrointestinal Tract, Unspecified
- Hemorrhoids
- Hemorrhoids With Complications
- Hepatitis
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatomegaly
- Hiatal Hernia
- Ileitis
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Iron Deficiency Anemia
- Ischemic Bowel
- Ischemic Colitis
- Liver Disease
- Malignant Neoplasm Of Stomach
- Melena
- Microscopic Colitis
- Nausea
- Nausea And Vomiting
- Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
- Non Alcoholic Steatohepatitis
- Peptic Ulcer
- Personal History Of Colonic Polyps
- Portal Hypertension
- Portal Hypertensive Gastropathy
- Positive Hemoccult Fecal Occult Blood Test
- Postprandial Diarrhea
- Rectal Bleeding
- Rectal Cancer
- Rectal Mass
- Rectal Pain
- Small Intestine Cancer
- Stomach Cramps
- Stomach Pain
- Swallowing Problem
- Ulceration Of Intestine
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Ulcerative Proctitis
- Vomiting
Procedures I perform
- Biologic Therapy For Gastrointestinal Diseases
- Bravo PH Test
- Capsule Endoscopy
- Chromoendoscopy
- Colon Polypectomy
- Colonoscopy
- Colorectal Screening
- Early Detection Of Cancer
- Endoscopic Mucosal Resection Of Large Colon Polyps
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) With Botox Injection
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) With Dilation
- Fecal Transplant
- Gastric Restrictive Surgery
- Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer Screening
- Gastroscopy
- Ileoscopy
- PH Impedance Test
- Upper Gi Series
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
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv/Special Needs Plans
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans/ UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans HMO, POS, PPO
- United Healthcare Options (PPO) (includes Empire PPO, GEHA, Compass Rose)"
- UHC Community Plan of MD
- Private Health Care Systems (PHCS) (PPO)
- Medicare Fee for Service
- Kaiser Virginia Premier
- Kaiser PermanenteSelect-Added Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Signature-Added Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus (Medicare Supplemental Plan)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS
- Kaiser MD Medicaid MCO
- Cigna HealthSpring Medicare Advantage
- CFBCBS Federal Employee Program (Std/Basic PPO/Blue Focus)
- CFBCBS EPO
- Blue Choice Advantage & Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)"
- Aetna Better Health of Maryland
- Aetna Innovations: HMO & EPO Plus
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Aetna HMO
- Open POS II
- Innovation Health: Open POS Plus
- Choice POS & Choice POS II
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Open EPO Plus
- Opoen HMO Option
- Open HMO
- Innovation Health: POS
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Innovation Health: Open Network Only Plus
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Innovation Health: POS Plus
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Innovation Health: PPO
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Innovation Health: Indemnity
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- BlueChoice Open Access
- CFBCBS Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- HealthyBlue PPO
- CFBSBC Blue Preferred PPO
- Choice Fund PPO
- PPO and PPO Plus
- CIGNA EPO
- POS OA & OA Plus
- Network OA
- CIGNA HMO Open Access (OA)
- United Healthcare Choice
- Tricare Prime
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) & OCI Direct (HMO)
- CIGNA Indemnity
- CFBCBS BlueChoice HMO
- FIRST HEALTH
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- CFBCBS Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund) Innovation Health: Network Only Plus
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Tricare for Life (Medicare Supplemental Plan)
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- MedStar Select (MedStar Associates' Plan)
- First Health PPO
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- CFBCBS (NCA) Indemnity
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- CFBCBS Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- CFBCBS Maryland Point of Service Plan (MPOS)
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- United Student Resources
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
Videos
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology
Fellowship Program: MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (2019)
Internship/Residency: MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (2016)
Residency Program: MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (2015)
Internship Program: MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (2013)
Medical School: Georgetown University School of Medicine (2012)
Awards
- 2023 and 2024 Castle Connolly Top Doctor in Gastroenterology
- 2023 and 2024 Washingtonian Top Doctor in Gastroenterology
- Thomas Taylor Award for Excellence in Teaching and Patient Care (2019)
- 2019 American College of Gastroenterology Young Physician Leadership Scholar
- 2018 American College of Gastroenterology GI Jeopardy Winner
Hospital affiliations
News and publications
- Dr. Jennings talking with Men's Health on acid reflux, swallowing, and coughs
- Facebook Live: Colon Cancer Prevention
- National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month 2023: Screening, risks and more
- Study: Colon cancer cases increase among younger adults
- Washington ABC7 National Colorectal Cancer Awareness 2023
- Health Watch: Avoiding holiday heartburn with Dr. Joseph Jennings
- Wondering Why Your Stomach Hurts After You Eat? Here Are 9 Possible Reasons
- Dr. Jennings promoting Colon Cancer Awareness Month
- 12 Days of Wellness - Dr. Jennings talks about celiac disease and holiday meals
- Dr. Jennings talks about COVID-19 and the GI Tract on NBC Washington
- Dr. Jennings recognized by the American College of Gastroenterology
Selected/Recent Publications
- Breast Cancer Metastasis to the Gastrointestinal Tract With Unusual Endoscopic and Histologic Presentations. Kimchy, Alexandra & Umoren, Mfoniso & Rosenberg, Jessica & Ilagan, Charmaine & Nithagon, Pichayut & Shafa, Shervin & Jennings, Joseph. (2022). ACG case reports journal. 9. e00938. 10.14309/crj.0000000000000938.
- Hepatotoxicty of Agents Used in the Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: a 2020 Update. Barnhill MS, Steinberg JM, Jennings JJ, Lewis JH.Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2020 Jul 15;22(9):47. doi: 10.1007/s11894-020-00781-3.PMID: 32671616 Review.
- Hepatotoxicity induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors: a comprehensive review including current and alternative management strategies. Jennings JJ, Mandaliya R, Nakshabandi A, Lewis JH.Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol. 2019 Mar;15(3):231-244. doi: 10.1080/17425255.2019.1574744. Epub 2019 Feb 5.PMID: 30677306 Review.
- NAFLD-NASH: An Under-Recognized Epidemic.Jennings J, Faselis C, Yao MD.Curr Vasc Pharmacol. 2018;16(3):209-213. doi: 10.2174/1570161115666170622074007.PMID: 28676024 Review.
- Novel Use for Maloney Dilators in the Management of Gastrostomy Stenosis Jennings JJ, Batisda-Coelho R, Lipman TO.ACG Case Rep J. 2019 Apr 5;6(4):e00054. doi: 10.14309/crj.0000000000000054. eCollection 2019 Apr.PMID: 31616736 Free PMC article.
- Outcomes of vedolizumab therapy in patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced colitis: a multi-center study. Abu-Sbeih H, Ali FS, Alsaadi D, Jennings JJ, Luo W, Gong Z, Richards DM, Charabaty A, Wang Y.J Immunother Cancer. 2018 Dec 5;6(1):142. doi: 10.1186/s40425-018-0461-4.PMID: 30518410 Free PMC article.
- Vedolizumab-Induced Remission in 3 Patients With Refractory Microscopic Colitis: A Tertiary Care Center Case Series. Jennings JJ, Charabaty A.Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2019 Jul 17;25(8):e97. doi: 10.1093/ibd/izz042.PMID: 30889247 No abstract available.
- H pylori treatment reduced risk for gastric cancer in patients with a family history of gastric cancer. Jennings JJ.Ann Intern Med. 2020 Jun 16;172(12):JC66. doi: 10.7326/ACPJ202006160-066.PMID: 32539507
- Understanding patient preference for physician attire: a cross-sectional observational study of 10 academic medical centres in the USA. Petrilli CM, Saint S, Jennings JJ, Caruso A, Kuhn L, Snyder A, Chopra V.BMJ Open. 2018 May 29;8(5):e021239. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-021239.PMID: 29844101 Free PMC article.