NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens Achieves Continued Recognition from the ADA for Exceptional Diabetes Care
The Diabetes Center of Excellence at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens reaffirms its commitment to providing high-quality education and support to New Yorkers living with diabetes
Apr 20, 2026
NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens announced today that its Diabetes Self-Management Education Program has been awarded continued recognition from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) through its Education Recognition Program (ERP). The program was first recognized in June 2004 and continues to provide high-quality education services to the patients it serves. The ADA Education Recognition effort, initiated in 1986, is a voluntary process that assures approved education programs meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs. Programs achieving this recognition status are staffed by knowledgeable health professionals who provide state-of-the-art information about diabetes management that directly benefit community health outcomes.
“The process provides professionals with a national standard to measure the quality of the services they provide,” said Neil Moore, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens. “With approximately 12% of all Queens residents diagnosed with diabetes, our commitment to providing quality diabetes education is critical. The ADA’s resources are instrumental in empowering our patients with the knowledge and skills they need for effective self-management.”
“The ADA’s designation confirms our commitment to excellence, and it directly enhances the quality of care we provide,” said Dr. Issac Sachmechi, Director of the Diabetes Program. “The high rates of diabetes in our community — especially in neighborhoods like Jamaica, Hollis, and Rosedale — underscore the importance of our work. Utilizing ADA’s guidelines, we enhance the lives of New Yorkers living with diabetes, offering valuable resources and support to manage their conditions effectively.”
NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens leverages the ADA’s comprehensive education resources to enhance the offerings of the Diabetes Center of Excellence. The specialized, accredited care the center provides includes personalized treatment plans, self-management education, nutritional counseling, and endocrinology support, all designed with a focus on preventing complications. By integrating innovative tools, such as smartphone app integration for real-time feedback, patients are empowered to take charge of their health.
Diabetes significantly impacts Southeast Queens, aligning with broader trends across New York City where approximately 12% of residents are diagnosed with diabetes. Specific neighborhoods — including Jamaica, Hollis, Rosedale, and Laurelton — are prioritized due to high rates of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity-related health disparities. By employing ADA’s standards in the programming, the aim is to address these pervasive health issues effectively.
Self-management education is a critical component of diabetes treatment, as it equips patients with essential skills to manage their conditions. Compliance with the National Standards ensures consistency in the quality and quantity of education offered to people with diabetes. Participants in an ADA-recognized program are taught key self-care skills as needed to promote effective diabetes management.
“Nurses are at the forefront of diabetes care, providing essential support and education to our patients,” said Dr. Abbi-Gail Baboolal, Chief Nursing Officer. “Many residents in our service area are at risk of severe complications due to poorly managed diabetes, making our programs even more critical. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Debbie Hermanstyne, Assistant Head Nurse of Ambulatory Care Services, for her exceptional leadership in preparing the recertification application. Her hard work and dedication were instrumental in achieving this milestone, reflecting our collective commitment to delivering high-quality diabetes education and support.”
“Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSME)S is an essential part of managing diabetes and is as effective as diabetes medication,” said Barbara Eichorst, MS, RD, CDCES, the ADA’s Vice President of Health Programs. “We applaud NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens for its commitment to providing value-based interventions such as DSMES, maximizing corresponding outcomes and patient experience.”
“The continued recognition highlights the collaborative efforts of our dedicated staff,” said Dr. Dave Holson, Chief Medical Officer. “We know that people in our community face higher risks of complications due to poorly managed diabetes. By working together, we can empower our patients to take control of their diabetes management, reducing potential complications and improving overall health outcomes.”
For more information about the ADA’s Education Recognition Program and NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens’ diabetes education services, please contact Zenaida Magnaye-Banzon at magnayez@nychhc.org or (646) 498-1787.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Cleon Edwards, NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens 646-772-5725
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About NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens
A member of NYC Health and Hospitals, NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens is a major health care provider in the borough of Queens. Its foremost mission is to provide quality, comprehensive care to all members of the public regardless of their ability to pay. In 2025, Queens Hospital marked its 90th anniversary of serving the communities of central and southeastern Queens, having first opened its doors as Queens General Hospital in 1935. Encompassing 360,000 square feet, it comprises 253 licensed beds, spacious ambulatory care suites featuring both primary and specialty services, and cutting-edge equipment. It also houses four Centers of Excellence: Cancer Care, Diabetes Management, Women’s Health, and Behavioral Health. The hospital has recently added a fully expanded Emergency Room, a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence accredited by the American College of Radiology, and a Total Hip and Knee Replacement Center, with plans underway to build the health system’s first Dialysis Center to train patients to perform their own at-home dialysis. To learn more about NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org/queens.
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlusHealth—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 46,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About the American Diabetes Association
Nearly half of American adults have diabetes or prediabetes; more than 30 million adults and children have diabetes; and every 21 seconds, another individual is diagnosed with diabetes in the U.S. Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization whose mission is to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The ADA drives discovery by funding research to treat, manage and prevent all types of diabetes, as well as to search for cures; raises voice to the urgency of the diabetes epidemic; and works to safeguard policies and programs that protect people with diabetes. In addition, the ADA supports people living with diabetes, those at risk of developing diabetes, and the health care professionals who serve them through information and programs that can improve health outcomes and quality of life. For more information, please call the ADA at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit diabetes.org. Information from both of these sources is available in English and Spanish. Find us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn) and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn).