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Edmund Giegerich, M.D., joined NYM as chief of endocrinology and vice chairman of medicine on July 1st.

The field of endocrinology-the care of hormone disorders, including type 1 and type 2 diabetes, thyroid diseases, and pituitary gland dysfunction-has, in recent years, gained prominence because of the increasing obesity problem in America. Obesity is directly linked with a rise in type II diabetes.

Dr. Giegerich, who specializes in the care of diabetes, has himself, had type1 diabetes since he was 17 and is devoted to delivering both medical assistance and education about the disease. "Learning about the disease you have is one of the most important steps to recovery," he said.

Studies released in January 2011 by the National Diabetes Foundation indicated that 25.8 million children and adults in the United States-8.3 percent of the population-have diabetes. 

"With a major obesity epidemic, we have to be ready to supply both care and education to patients with diabetes," said Dr. Giegerich. "Part of the cure consists of new treatments and medications that we can prescribe. But the other part is teaching patients with diabetes to take care of themselves and their disease." 

In addition to helping patients with diabetes, Dr. Giegerich is also dedicated to expanding diabetes prevention education to those who are at high risk and have family histories, which means promoting healthy lifestyles, eating well, and exercising. 

Dr. Giegerich will also encourage multidisciplinary care by members of the various departments of the Hospital. "Hormone diseases like diabetes, cannot be 'cured' by one doctor," said Dr. Giegerich. "Treatment plans may require input from our Diabetes Education Center, Podiatry, Cardiology, and other departments." His bottom line: collaboration. "We have an administration which is supportive of growth here at NYM. Now it's just about being as creative and collaborative as possible to give patients the very best care."

Dr. Giegerich is board certified in internal medicine and has been a New Yorker his entire life, having grown up on Long Island. He attended Manhattan College, where he received a B.E. in chemical engineering, SUNY/ Downstate Medical Center, where he received his M.D., and Mount Sinai Hospital, where he completed clinical endocrinology and research fellowships, leaving the city only briefly to pursue residency training at Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University School of Medicine. He built his professional career in Brooklyn, and most recently worked at Long Island College Hospital where he built an endocrinology program that focused on consultation services, patient access to clinical care, and educating patients. 

"NYM is allowing me to return to what I enjoy most in the field, which is helping patients and teaching," said Dr. Giegerich. 

Speaking of the endocrinology program developed by former chief of endocrinology, Farida Khan, M.D., he said, "I hope to build on Dr. Khan's terrific work and that of her associates. They built a strong program in endocrinology and diabetes care at NYM. I will be standing on their shoulders." 

"We have faith that Dr. Giegerich will use his experience and knowledge to enhance the Department of Internal Medicine and the Division of Endocrinology," said Harvey Dosik, M.D., chairman of internal medicine at NYM. 

Dr. Giegerich lives in Flushing, Queens, with his wife Denise Boudiette, M.D., whom he met in medical school and who is a psychiatrist at Zucker Hillside Hospital. Their daughter, Leslie, is an English teacher at a public high school in New York City.