
Andrea Chao Bafford, MD
Colon and Rectal Surgical OncologyColon and Rectal Surgery
Highlights
Age Groups Seen
- Adolescent 13-17
- Young Adult 18-25
- Adult 26-64
- Older Adult 65+
Languages
- English
In-Network Plans
View All Accepted Plans (12)Gender
FemaleJohns Hopkins Affiliations:
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty
About Andrea Chao Bafford
Primary Academic Title
Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery
Johns Hopkins Physician
Background
A colorectal surgeon, Dr. Bafford specializes in the treatment of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and benign diseases of the colon, rectum and anus.
"These diseases are very treatable. The surgeries I perform are effective at curing cancer or treating colitis, which allows my patients back to the quality of life they want to have. It's very rewarding to see that type of recovery with so many of my patients," she says.
Dr. Bafford's special interests include laparoscopic and robotic minimally invasive surgery, approaches that are associated with less pain and a faster recovery. Treatments she offers include surgical treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, sphincter-sparing surgery and organ preservation for rectal cancer, surgery for anorectal disorders, minimally invasive surgery for diverticulitis, treatment of rectal prolapse, and screening and therapeutic colonoscopy.
Dr. Bafford has authored or co-authored numerous publications in leading peer-reviewed scientific journals and textbooks. Her research interests are in the pathophysiology of colorectal cancer, disparities in colorectal surgery and the surgical management of inflammatory bowel disease. Her passion and dedication have earned her a consistent spot on Baltimore magazine's "Top Doctor" lists for colon and rectal surgery.
To support Dr. Bafford's research, visit: https://secure.jhu.edu/form/bafford
Research Summary
Dr. Bafford's research has largely focused on IBD. Utilizing institutional databases and the NSQIP IBD, she has investigated perioperative outcomes in IBD patients as they relate to sex, immunosuppressive medical therapy, trauma, preoperative drainage of abscesses, and fecal diversion. She has also published on the microbiota of perianal Crohn’s disease with the help of an intramural grant. In addition, through interdepartmental collaboration, Dr. Bafford has contributed towards intestinal organoid preparation and 3D colon cancer organoid development used to study immune responses to intestinal infections, intestinal immunity, and colon cancer pathogenesis.
PubMed - Publications
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?sort=pubdate&term=Bafford+AC&cauthor_id=24587698
Honors
- Baltimore Top Doctors, Colon and Rectal Surgery (2012, 2014, 2016-22), Baltimore Magazine
- Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, 1/1/23
- Senior Resident Teaching Award, General Surgery Residency, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 1/1/18
- Super Doctors, Washington, DC-Baltimore-Northern Virginia Rising Stars, Super Doctors, 1/1/13
Memberships
- Member, Maryland Consortium for Anal Cancer Screening
- Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America’s Maryland and Southern Delaware Mission Committee
- American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Inflammatory Bowel Disease Committee
- Member, Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract
- American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee
- Fellow, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
- Fellow, American College of Surgeons
Locations
- Medical Arts Building - Columbia
- 11085 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 103, Columbia, MD 21044
- Get Directions
- phone: 410-730-1988
- fax: 410-367-2249
- Levi Watkins, Jr., M.D., Outpatient Center
- 601 North Caroline Street, Floor 8, Baltimore, MD 21287
- Get Directions
- phone: 443-997-1508
- fax: 443-769-1242
- Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center - Green Spring Station, Lutherville
- 10751 Falls Road, Suite 412, Lutherville, MD 21093
- Get Directions
- phone: 410-583-2900
- fax: 410-583-2654
Expertise
Education
- Fellowship: The Mount Sinai Hospital, Colorectal Surgery, 2010
- Residency: Brigham and Women's Hospital, General Surgery, 2009
- Medical Education: Washington University School of Medicine, MD, 2003
Board Certifications
- Colon and Rectal Surgery: American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery, 2011
- Surgery (General Surgery): American Board of Surgery, 2010
Insurance
- Aetna
- CareFirst
- Cigna
- First Health
- Geisinger Health Plan
- HealthSmart/Accel
- Johns Hopkins Health Plans
- MultiPlan
- Pennsylvania's Preferred Health Networks (PPHN)
- Point Comfort Underwriters
- Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
- Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (Optum-VACCN)
Ratings & Reviews
4.8 out of 5
126 ratings, 38 reviewsThe Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to physician related questions on the national CG-CAHPS Medical Practice patient experience survey through Press Ganey. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Comments are also gathered from our CG-CAHPS Medical Practice Survey through Press Ganey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/3/2026
Good surgeon, her residents were friendly and helpful
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/24/2026
An excellent doctor that showed me respect, listened and went above and beyond during the appointment and after. The appointment.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/23/2026
Provider was 10/10, I'd definitely recommend her. Very nice, very patient, extremely easy to talk too & was very gentle during exam. She stated her assistant would be in touch. [staff] called the next datmy and she was able to offer me a surgery date.
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/6/2026
She is a good honest provider. I was going as a consult that another provider had given. I felt she did not want to jeopardize the other provider's choices so my visit wasShort.
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/6/2026
I really don't have none she was the the surgeon she said I need to see instant care
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/3/2026
Andrea Bafford is a professional and master in her field. I would recommend her in a heartbeat.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/27/2026
Even though ho this was my first visit with her, she was completely familiar with my relevant past medical history
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/27/2026
Dr. Bafford was very friendly and very professional . She answered all of my questions thoroughly, asking several times if I had any questions.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/20/2026
She was very nice and took time to explain what I needed.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/23/2025
Professional and pay attention to details
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/23/2025
Both the doctor and nurse were kind and sensitive to my condition. I am switching to this surgeon, based on her attention and care at this visit.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/22/2025
Provider was thorough, respectful, compassionate, and professional
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/16/2025
Dr Bafford is very caring and it shows
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/11/2025
Very Professional and paid full attention to my questions and gave very detailed answers and advice. Glad I had a meeting with her.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/2/2025
Very thorough and personable
- 2 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/24/2025
I love JH the institution and the doctors.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/17/2025
Professional and caring.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/17/2025
EXCELLENT!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/13/2025
Dr. Bafford was cordial and direct. We ha d very good conversation about an upcoming surgery. She answered my questions and we discussed the use of robotics to reduce the chance of problematic outcomes. She was professional yet friendly and respectful.
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/28/2025
business like
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/20/2025
Dr. Bafford's knowledge, empathy and positive communication gave me confidence that I am in the best possible hands to treat my cancer.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/20/2025
Excellent care and knowledgeable
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/30/2025
I was very impressed with the provider
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/19/2025
I appreciate Dr. Bafford listening to my concerns and responding with care and compassion. She truly understood my needs and provided me with complete information on the benefits and risks of my options.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/19/2025
The service was great
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/4/2025
Dr. Bafford was professional, knowledgeable compassionate and explained my situation in detail. She made me feel at ease
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/29/2025
Very informative visit. Best one to date.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/14/2025
Good clinical judgment
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/24/2025
Dr. BAFFORD is the best. Hopkins is fortunate to have her. She saved my colon when no one else could or would. I followed her from UMD to Hopkins. She is topnotch in every way.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/17/2025
The doctor was very informative and explained everything very well.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/9/2025
Thanks for helping me!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/3/2025
Extremely knowledgeable, great bedside manner compassionate
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/27/2025
Dr. Bafford has been my primary surgeon for 12 years. She is caring and explains procedure options well. Follow up care has also been great.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/27/2025
Dr. Bafford was thoughtful and thorough.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/6/2025
Super knowledgeable and personal!!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/22/2025
Appreciate Dr Bafford's support and surgical treatment
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/22/2025
Dr. Bafford is a wonderful healthcare provider.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/22/2025
Dr. Bafford is by far the best medical professional I've ever encountered in any situation. She listened to me, figured out my problem, resolved it quickly and effectively. The problem I've had was absolutely huge, debilitating and embarrassing. Dr. Bafford remembered everything I told her, even personal details, and figured out a surgical, permanent, successful solution to my issue. I have seen three surgeons about this problem and she was so quick and smart and successful. I am a different, much better, much happier, much healthier person thanks to Dr. Bafford. I literally owe my life to her.