Lester Kenneth Bowser, MD| Gastroenterology | MedStar Health
Learn More About Me
Specialties: Gastroenterology
Languages: English, Spanish
About me
Lester K. Bowser, MD, is a gastroenterologist at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital. He is board-certified in gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine and fellowship-trained in gastroenterology.
Dr. Bowser specializes in general gastroenterology, including EGD, which allows diagnosis and treatment of problems in the upper gastrointestinal tract; colonoscopy to screen for colon cancer; capsule endoscopy; biliary tract disorders; inflammatory bowel disease; liver and gallbladder disease; and Hepatitis C.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Bowser served as a Major in the United States Army, providing gastroenterological leadership and care for active duty military and their family members throughout the United States. He is a native Baltimorean and decided to return to the community after completing his military service as a gastroenterologist.
He has a special interest in colon cancer screening.
Clinical areas of focus
- Abdominal Cramping
- Abdominal Pain
- Capsule Endoscopy
- Chronic Diarrhea
- Colonoscopy With Biopsy
- Constipation
- Dysphagia
- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
- Enteroscopy
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding And Rectal Bleeding
- Lower Gi Endoscopy
- Nausea
- Sigmoidoscopy With Biopsy
- Stomach Cramps
- Upper Gi Endoscopy
- Variceal Band Ligation
- Vomiting
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abdominal Adhesions
- Abdominal Cramping
- Abdominal Distension
- Abdominal Pain
- Abnormal Digestive Findings
- Abnormal Stool
- Achalasia
- Acute Pancreatitis
- Alimentary Tract Foreign Body
- Altered Bowel Habits
- Anal Abscess
- Anal Fissures
- Anus And Rectum Diseases
- Aphagia
- Appendiceal Cancer
- Autoimmune Hepatitis
- Benign Neoplasm Of Colon, Rectum, Anus And Anal Canal
- Benign Neoplasm Of Digestive System
- Bile Duct Stones
- Biliary Tract Obstruction
- Blood In Stool
- Bowel Obstruction
- Choledocholithiasis
- Chronic Diarrhea
- Colitis
- Colon Disease
- Colon Polyp
- Colon Polyps
- Colon Stricture
- Colonic Obstruction
- Colorectal Malignancy
- Constipation
- Crohn's Disease
- Crohn's Disease [Regional Enteritis]
- Diabetic Gastroparesis
- Diaphragmatic Hernia
- Digestive System Complications
- Digestive System Diseases
- Digestive System Symptoms
- Diseases Of Esophagus
- Diverticular Disease
- Diverticulitis
- Duodenal Ulcer
- Duodenitis
- Dysphagia
- Epigastric Pain
- Esophageal Cancer
- Esophageal Stricture
- Esophagitis
- Flatulence
- Functional Intestinal Disorders
- Gallbladder Cancer
- Gallstones
- Gastric Cancer
- Gastric Varices
- Gastritis
- Gastroenteritis
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding And Rectal Bleeding
- Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)
- Helicobacter Pylori
- Hemangioma
- Hemangioma Of Digestive System
- Hemorrhoids
- Hepatitis
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatomegaly
- Hepatomegaly And Splenomegaly
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Intestinal Infections
- Intestinal Stenosis
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Jaundice
- Liver Cirrhosis
- Liver Encephalopathy
- Liver Failure
- Liver Fibrosis
- Malabsorption
- Malnutrition
- Melena
- Nausea
- Noninfective Gastroenteritis
- Pancreatic Diseases
- Pancreatitis
- Paralytic Ileus And Intestinal Obstruction
- Perianal Fistula
- Perianal Pain
- Peripheral Vascular Disease Of The Intestines
- Polycystic Liver Disease
- Portal Hypertension
- Postoperative Ileus
- Postprandial Diarrhea
- Proctitis
- Rectal Cancer
- Rectal Pain
- Small Intestine Cancer
- Stomach Cancer
- Stomach Cramps
- Stomach Ulcers
- Swallowing Disorders
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Viral Hepatitis
- Vomiting
Procedures I perform
- Capsule Endoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Colonoscopy Through Stoma
- Colonoscopy With Biopsy
- Colonoscopy With Injection
- Electrogastrography
- Endoscopic Argon Plasma Coagulation
- Endoscopic Clip Placement
- Endoscopic Laser Therapy
- Endoscopic Lower Esophagus Extraction
- Endoscopic Mucosal Resection
- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
- Endoscopic Stomach Feeding Device Insertion
- Endoscopic Stricture Dilation
- Enteroscopy
- Enteroscopy With Bleeding Control
- Esophageal Debridement
- Esophageal Dilation
- Esophageal PH Monitoring
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy With Biopsy
- Flexible Colonoscopy With Biopsy
- Gastric Manometry
- Gastric Stenting
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- Gastrointestinal Motility Study
- Gastrojejunostomy
- Ileoscopy With Biopsy
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Lower Gi Endoscopy
- Lower Gi Therapeutic Substance Introduction
- Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
- Sclerotherapy For Gastrointestinal Bleeding
- Sigmoidoscopy With Biopsy
- Stomach Drainage
- Transrectal Ultrasound
- Upper Esophagus Dilation, Endoscopic
- Upper Gi Endoscopy
- Variceal Band Ligation
Practice locations
Distance from Change Location Enter your Location
1300 Bellona Ave
Ste A
Lutherville, MD, 21093
9512 Harford Rd
Ste 201
Baltimore, MD, 21234
5601 Loch Raven Blvd
Russell Morgan Bldg 3rd Fl
Baltimore, MD, 21239
201 E University Pkwy
33rd St Bldg Ste 233
Baltimore, MD, 21218
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
- Blue Choice Advantage
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- UHC Passport
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- CareFirst NASCO
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Network OA
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Choice POS
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- United Healthcare Choice
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- TRICARE East Prime
- IH-HMO
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- IH-POS Plus
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Medicare Direct
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- United Student Resources
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Choice Fund PPO
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- CareFirst Administrators
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Police and Fire Clinic
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Navigate
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- IH-PPO
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- IH-POS
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- IH-Network Only Plus
- IH-Open HMO
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Tricare Reserve Select
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- Aetna HMO
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Medicare FFS
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- IH-Indemnity
- TRICARE East Select
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Aetna Basic
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- POS OA
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Choice POS II
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- CIGNA PPO
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Core Essential (HMO)
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Choice POS II Open Access
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- First Health PPO
- Optimum Choice
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Beech Street PPO
- HighMark
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- First Health PPO
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- IH-EPO Plus
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- IH-Open POS II
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- TRICARE for Life East
- OA Plus
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- CIGNA EPO
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Sentara Health
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- CareFirst EPO
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Employee Health Plan
Videos
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology
Fellowship: San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education-Army (2000)
Residency: Walter Reed National Medical Center (1997)
Medical School: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (1994)
Awards
- Top Doc (Gastroenterology) - Baltimore Magazine, 2013
- Top Doc (Gastroenterology) - Baltimore Magazine, 2015 Top Doc (Gastroenterology) - Castle Connolly, 2025
Hospital affiliations
News and publications
- "Large Colonic Lipoma With Mucosal Ulceration Mimicking Carcinoma." Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. September 2003, 468-470
- "Viral Hepatitis Serology." The El Paso Physician. December 2000, 18-24.
- "The Role of Surveillance ERCP in Preventing Episodic Cholangitis in Patients with Recurrent Common Bile Duct Stones." Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. February 2000, 247-248.
- "Antibiotic Prophylaxis Prior to GI Endoscopy: A Survey of ASGE Members." DDW Poster Presentation. May 1999
- “Percutaneous Pseudocyst Drainage”. KENS TV Channel 5 (CBS affiliate) Medical Breakthroughs Segment. March 1999.
- "Environmental Fate and Effects of Chemical Simulants." U.S. Army Technical Report. January 1989