Rebecca, I live in the DC area and just had major abdominal surgery (reversal of ileostomy, hernia repair and repair of fistula to my stomach). I interviewed Dr. Eckhauser at Johns Hopkins (supposed to be the grand master up there) and I liked him, but I ended up going to Dr. Bruce Orkin, head of colorectal surgery at George Washington University Hospital. He did a masterful job. 
You definitely should make appointments to talk to the surgeons before you decide on one . . . as long as you are going to Johns Hopkins, check out Dr. Eckhauser in addition to the others. BEST OF LUCK!!