Capital Digestive Physician Mark T. Birns, MD, FACG, FACP, AGAF

Mark T. Birns, MD, FACG, FACP, AGAF

Biography

Among the founding physicians of digestive health in Montgomery County, Dr. Birns’ significant contributions to his specialty began during his fellowship in gastroenterology at the University of Oregon Health Sciences Center where his input was instrumental in the development of the flexible sigmoidoscope, a routine screening tool in the detection of lower intestinal diseases.

Immediately following his fellowship, Dr. Birns and his family returned to the East Coast, where he served as Assistant Chief of Gastroenterology at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, caring for many generals, dignitaries, and members of Congress. During his tenure at Walter Reed, he developed specific and recognized expertise in the field of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, including a new technique for the treatment of internal bleeding. Dr. Birns also successfully performed the first endoscopic sphincterotomy in the United States Army, a procedure whereby gallstones can be removed without surgery in certain situations and subsequently served as the major contributing author to Radiology of the Liver, Biliary Tract, Pancreas, and Spleen, a comprehensive medical textbook which covers his special interest in pancreatic and biliary diseases.

As a result of his academic pursuits and contributions to medicine, he was awarded the distinction of Fellow in the American College of Physicians (FACP), American College of Gastroenterology (FACG), and American Gastroenterological Association (AGAF).

Dr. Birns has been consistently recognized by his peers as a “Top Doctor” in Washingtonian magazine.

    Languages:

    • English

    Office Locations

    Endoscopy Centers

    Special Areas of Interest

    • Therapeutic endoscopy
    • Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
    • Barret’s esophagus

    Medical Education and Training

    • Albert Einstein College of Medicine / Bronx, NY / Doctor of Medicine

    Residency

    • Albert Einstein College of Medicine / Bronx, NY

    Fellowships

    • Gastroenterology / University of Oregon Health Sciences Center / Portland, OR

    Academic Appointments

    • Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine / Georgetown University Hospital / Washington, DC

    Undergraduate Education

    • Case Western Reserve University / Cleveland, OH

    Awards

    2015 Top Doctors Logo Graphic saying featured in Washington Consumers' Checkbook 2014-2015 Top Doctors as chosen by their peers Washingtonian Top Doctor 2014 logo Top US News Doctor logo 2012 Top Doctors Logo 2016 Top Doctor Logo 2017 Top Doctors Logo Graphic saying Top Doctor Washingtonian 2018 Graphic saying Top Doctor Washingtonian 2019 Graphic saying Bethesda Magazine Top Doctor 2019 Graphic saying Top Doctor - Washingtonian 2020 TopDocs-2021logo TopDoctor_2022 Bethesda Top Doctor 2023 Washingtonian Logo

    Certifications

    • Internal Medicine

      American Board of Internal Medicine
    • Gastroenterology

      American Board of Internal Medicine

    Affiliations

    Endoscopy Center Affiliations

    • Urbana GI Endoscopy Center
    • Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Associates

    Fellow of

    • American Gastroenterological Association – Fellow
    • American College of Physicians – Fellow
    • American College of Gastroenterology – Fellow

    Hospital Affiliations

    • Shady Grove Adventist Hospital

    Member of

    • Montgomery County Medical Society
    • The Maryland State Medical Society
    • MedChi
    • Maryland Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
    • Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America – Member
    • American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy