Staff

The concierge practice operates as a small, tight-knit team built around physician leadership and multidisciplinary support. The new physician joins an intentionally compact group, which allows for deep collaboration and consistent care standards across the patient panel.

Physician Leadership

Merlene V. Horan, MD serves as Medical Director of Signature by MedStar Health and will be your primary physician colleague. Her background is highly relevant to the patient population this practice serves.

Dr. Horan is a decorated Navy officer and former White House Physician. She provided care to the President, Vice President, First Lady, Second Lady, their families, and cabinet members, both domestically and internationally. She held top secret and White House security clearances during her service, and she brings that same standard of discretion and attention to privacy into the concierge practice today.

Her philosophy of care centers on shared decision-making and patient education. Patients in the practice are often executives, government officials, and other high-responsibility professionals who value the depth of engagement she provides.

Multidisciplinary Support Team

The Signature by MedStar Health practice team is intentionally structured for a 360-degree, whole-person care model. Each team member supports patients directly:

Role descriptions:

• System Navigator: Coordinates priority scheduling for in-person, telehealth, and specialist appointments; manages diagnostic test coordination and in-home services
• Nutritionists: Design personalized meal plans, provide diet and nutrition guidance, and align nutritional strategies with individual patient health goals
• Athletic Trainer: Builds tailored fitness plans that align with patient lifestyles and health goals
• Medical Assistant: Provides clinical support during patient visits and procedural care

System-Level Clinical Network

Beyond the immediate team, you will have direct access to the full MedStar Health specialist network, which includes:

• 10 hospitals across Maryland and the Washington, DC region
• Thousands of specialists across primary and tertiary care
• MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
• MedStar Washington Hospital Center
• MedStar National Rehabilitation Network

The system navigator coordinates specialist referrals directly, which allows physicians to focus on clinical decisions rather than administrative routing.

Practice Culture

• Small, collaborative team environment
• Emphasis on clinical excellence and discretion
• Strong commitment to physician autonomy within the concierge model
• Intentional growth strategy; the addition of a second physician reflects sustained patient demand and an expansion plan built on quality rather than volume