Best Consulting Physician
Raul Sebastian Laines, M.D.
General Surgeon
Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center
Raul Sebastian Laines provides excellent care for surgical patients at the Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center. Great with patients and families alike, Dr. Laines is described by staff as hard working and a technically skilled surgeon. He often goes out of his way to support his team in acute care and general surgery, and he is always available to lend a helping hand to his teammates. “Dr. Laines volunteered to take an extra call when we were short staffed, and he never complained about the enormous effort it took to do this,” says a colleague. “He is willing to go above and beyond behind the scenes without looking for recognition.”
Karen Raimer, M.D.
Physician, Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Maternal, Fetal and Neonatal Institute, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
Karen Raimer’s three decades of diagnostic expertise and empathetic care are valued by the physicians who refer patients to her and by Dr. Raimer’s maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) colleagues. Her knowledge and supportive approach are appreciated by expectant parents whose infants may have a congenital heart defect, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, central nervous system malformation or other conditions that require care by multiple pediatric specialists. She works collaboratively with the fetal care program’s nurse navigator to consult with neonatologists, cardiologists, radiologists and pediatric surgeons and ensure that a well-orchestrated plan for delivery is in place.
For five years, Dr. Raimer has been an invaluable resource for physicians and families in an area 70 miles away from the hospital. During MFM clinics at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Outpatient Care in North Port, Florida, Dr. Raimer and her team of nurses, sonographers and clinical staff members manage care of patients with high-risk pregnancies. Her experience with her own six high risk pregnancies has helped her serve as a role model and source of hope for patients.
Nisha Chandra-Strobos, M.B.B.S., M.D.
Medical Director, Outpatient Services
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
After stepping down as chief of cardiology at Johns Hopkins Bayview in 2021, Nisha Chandra-Strobos took on a major role in helping expand the inpatient cardiology consultative service to meet the growing needs of the emergency department and other services. Whenever she is on the cardiology consult team, she brings a careful and thoughtful plan to the clinical team after an equally careful and thoughtful evaluation of the patient. Dr. Chandra’s proactive method of offering consults in person or at the bedside is exemplary and much appreciated.
As an example, the management of cardiogenic shock in the acute care setting — especially in an environment such as the emergency department, with competing distractions — can be very challenging. During consults, Dr. Chandra brings a sense of calm and provides expert advice to the clinical team. She also anticipates the future needs of the patient, as well as those of the team requesting the consult. Her recommendations often live on even after she’s left the bedside, and they continue to help the primary care team with disease management.
Amr Abdelbaky, M.B.B.Ch.
Office Medical Director
Johns Hopkins Community Physicians
Amr Abdelbaky is a thoughtful and considerate consultant. Even with a full schedule, he continues to add additional consults because he knows that referring practitioners need his help. In his six years with Johns Hopkins Medicine, he has quickly become a go-to consultant in both office and hospital settings. Dr. Abdelbaky is thorough, knowledgeable and always well-versed in his fields’ ever-growing guidance, all while keeping his patients’ well-being at the top of mind. He maintains outstanding patient satisfaction scores, while always exceeding productivity targets.
In addition to being an exceptional consultant cardiologist, Dr. Abdelbaky has natural leadership skills, and he was chosen to lead the new Johns Hopkins Community Physicians cardiology practice at Sibley Memorial Hospital when it opened in 2022. He has performed outstanding work to set up the practice for success, and he is well liked and respected by referring physicians, colleagues, staff members and patients.
Lauren Berninger, D.O.
Physician, Palliative Medicine and Assistant Professor of Medicine
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
As a palliative medicine consulting physician, Lauren Berninger supports patients and their families as they navigate serious illness. She makes sure their voices are heard, helps them establish care goals and secures additional support when needed as they cope with difficult situations.
Dr. Berninger also helps primary care teams cope with their own distress, and works with them to improve how they approach complicated situations such as brain death and how they convey highly sensitive information to grieving families.
“Even in a program focused on training those who care for the unique needs of patients with serious illness and at end of life, Lauren stood out from her peers for her maturity, compassion, ability to connect and create rapport with those of all walks of life, and for being extremely thorough and thoughtful in her care,” says colleague Amy LaMoure, lead clinical social worker for palliative medicine.
Darcy Wolfman, M.D.
Radiologist
Sibley Memorial Hospital
Darcy Wolfman is an exceptional radiologist with unparalleled interpretative skills and remarkable diagnostic acumen. Her ability to delve into complex medical imaging and extract crucial diagnostic information is truly commendable. Dr. Wolfman consistently delivers an exceptional level of service, approaching each case with meticulous attention to detail. Her opinions carry a weight that extends beyond the confines of diagnostic accuracy, having a profound impact on treatment decisions. Colleagues and other medical professionals rely on her assessments, knowing they are receiving insights that can significantly influence patient outcomes. Her impact positively shapes the standards of excellence in our institution.
Joseph White, M.D., M.S.
Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon
Suburban Hospital
When a vascular surgery consultation is needed, time is of the essence. According to his colleagues in the emergency department (ED), Joseph White, a vascular and endovascular surgeon and an associate professor of surgery, is the physician you want on call. Friendly, cheerful and extremely knowledgeable, Dr. White’s ability to evaluate a patient’s condition and identify the best way forward is unparalleled. “Dr. White’s professionalism is off the charts,” says a colleague. “He is kind to his patients, the nurses and to all the ED doctors. Even if it is 2 in the morning and he has been in the operating room for 12 hours, he will come to the ED as soon as possible with a smile on his face and give a thoughtful and thorough consult. His care defines clinical excellence.”
