About
Dr. Lee Pennington is a board-certified internist based in Bethesda, Maryland, with more than four decades of clinical experience. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Zoology from Duke University in 1973 and his Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 1977. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at the University of Maryland Hospital in Baltimore.
After residency, Dr. Pennington served as a Clinical Instructor in Emergency Medicine at Georgetown University from 1980 to 1983. He later held a Clinical Assistant Professor appointment in Family Medicine in 2009. He maintains membership in the American College of Physicians and the American Medical Association, among other professional societies. Washingtonian Magazine named him a Top Doctor in Internal Medicine six times between 1999 and 2012, and Castle Connolly recognized him as a Washington Top Doctor in 2012. He holds a 5-out-of-5 rating across patient reviews. His approach centers on anticipating each patient's unique healthcare needs and building a genuine, collaborative partnership focused on long-term wellness.
Education & Training
Undergraduate
Duke University, Bachelor of Arts, Zoology 1973
Medical School
University of Maryland School of Medicine, Doctorate of Medicine 1977
Residency
Internal Medicine, University of Maryland Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland 1977-1980
Additional Training
Clinical Instructor, Emergency Medicine, Georgetown University 1980-1983; Clinical Assistant Professor, Family Medicine 2009
Certifications
Who is Dr. Pennington right for?
Dr. Pennington is a strong fit for adults who want a long-term, relationship-driven approach to internal medicine. Patients managing chronic conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol, or diabetes benefit from his proactive, anticipatory style. He works especially well with patients who value direct access to their physician, including after-hours phone availability. Those who want thorough annual wellness screenings and a personalized care plan will find his MDVIP model well-suited to their goals.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Pennington specializes in internal medicine. He holds board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine and has practiced in this specialty for over four decades. His clinical focus includes preventive care, chronic disease management, and comprehensive wellness.
Yes. Dr. Pennington holds board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine. He earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and completed his residency training at the University of Maryland Hospital.
Dr. Pennington has practiced medicine since completing his residency in 1980, giving him over 40 years of internal medicine experience. He also served as a Clinical Instructor in Emergency Medicine at Georgetown University from 1980 to 1983.
Yes. Washingtonian Magazine named Dr. Pennington a Top Doctor in Internal Medicine in 1999, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2010, and 2012. Castle Connolly also recognized him as a Washington Top Doctor in 2012.
Yes. When you visit the office, you see Dr. Pennington directly. The practice does not route patients to nurse practitioners or physician assistants in place of the physician.
Yes. Dr. Pennington makes himself available by phone after hours and on weekends. Members can reach him directly for urgent concerns outside of scheduled office time.
Dr. Pennington focuses on anticipating and managing each patient's unique healthcare needs. He takes a collaborative approach, working closely with patients to build a path toward long-term wellness. Patients consistently describe him as thorough, accessible, and genuinely attentive.
Dr. Pennington earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 1977. He completed both his internship and Internal Medicine residency at the University of Maryland Hospital in Baltimore, finishing in 1980.
Dr. Pennington holds an affiliation with Suburban Hospital in the Bethesda area.
Doctor profile last updated April 11, 2026