Isaac Sachmechi, MD, Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Internal Medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Guest: Dr. Isaac Sachmechi, MD, Director of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens
Host: Laura Deardo
Date: December 10, 2025
Topic: Advancing Diabetes Care and Innovation at the Diabetes Center of Excellence

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Episode Overview

This episode spotlights Dr. Isaac Sachmechi and the Diabetes Center of Excellence at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens. The conversation explores the Center’s innovative, comprehensive approach to diabetes care for one of the most diverse and high-risk populations in New York City, with special focus on multidisciplinary collaboration, research, new technologies, and future advancements in diabetes management.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to the Diabetes Center of Excellence

• Recognition & Role
  • The Center is recognized by the American Diabetes Association and plans to seek further pre-recognition in 2026.

    “We have Diabetes center of Excellence and I'm the director of Diabetes center of Excellence.” — Dr. Sachmechi [00:39]

  • Has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Queens, serving a highly diverse patient base.

    “The highest rate of prevalence of diabetes in Queens is about 13%, more than even the New York City area.” — Dr. Sachmechi [01:05]

• Comprehensive, Team-Based Approach
  • Multidisciplinary team includes four physicians, two nurse practitioners, a nutritionist, and a diabetes educator.
  • Integrates care with nearby ophthalmology and podiatry clinics for early detection of complications.

2. Addressing Obesity and Diabetes Together

• 80% of patients are overweight or obese; the Center provides intensive weight and nutritional management as part of diabetes care.
• Focus on patient education and access to diabetes education classes.
• Uses best-in-market therapies and technology, including continuous glucose monitoring and, when possible, insulin pump therapies.

3. Holistic Patient Management

• Comprehensive management includes attention to blood glucose, hypertension, and lipid levels.
• Streamlined referrals:
  • Ophthalmology for diabetic eye disease.
  • Podiatry for wound and foot care—common issues in this population.
• Strong emphasis on empowering and educating patients.

4. Research and Clinical Innovation

• Active clinical research unit conducts Phase 3 and 4 industry-sponsored trials.

  “We are running phase three, phase four clinical studies that's sponsored by pharmaceutical companies.” — Dr. Sachmechi [04:53]

• Research topics include:
  • Management of weight and obesity in diabetes.
  • Post-bariatric surgery hypoglycemia.
• Offers patients access to cutting-edge treatments through clinical trial participation.

5. Outcomes and Benchmarks

• Outcome data from Dr. Sachmechi’s Center compares favorably with the nationally renowned Joslin Clinic.

  “We compare our outcome data to Joslin Clinic…we are very, very comparable…in terms of achieving Delta A1C reduction and improving quality of care.” — Dr. Sachmechi [06:19]

6. Future Directions & Exciting Innovations

• Technology:
  • Expansion of continuous glucose monitoring.
  • Moves toward autonomous insulin delivery systems (advanced insulin pumps).
• Emerging medications:
  • Combination hormone therapies (GLP-1, GIP, amylin, glucagon) expected to provide better weight reduction and glycemic control, particularly beneficial for overweight or obese Type 2 diabetics.

    “There are…medications that will most likely will be approved…that making combination of hormones like GLP1, gipsy, amylin and glucagon…promising in terms of getting better reduction of weight in this diabetes population…” — Dr. Sachmechi [07:57]

7. Advice for Healthcare Professionals

• Education:
  • Prioritize educating patients on diabetes, complications, and weight management as foundational aspects of therapy.
• Holistic focus:
  • Center care around the patient and give them practical tools toward weight loss, blood pressure, glycemic, and lipid control.

    “…put the patient in the center of the therapy and provide them the tools that they can use really to achieve these goals.” — Dr. Sachmechi [09:15]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On prevalence and diversity:

  “The highest rate of prevalence of diabetes in Queens is about 13%, more than even the New York City area.” — Dr. Sachmechi [01:05]

• On advancing care through comprehensive services:

  “We try to use the best modalities of therapy that [are] available…for management of diabetes…we have a nutritionist, we have diabetes educator.” — Dr. Sachmechi [01:43]

• On research and quality:

  “We compare our outcome data to Joslin Clinic…we are very, very comparable…in terms of achieving Delta A1C reduction and improving quality of care.” — Dr. Sachmechi [06:19]

• Future optimism:

  “…autonomous insulin delivery system…will really help us to really better take care of patient with diabetes who [are] requiring insulin. That's fantastic.” — Dr. Sachmechi [07:57]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:39 – 03:47: Overview of Center’s staff, services, and patient population
• 04:53 – 05:48: Clinical research activity and innovation
• 06:19 – 07:23: Benchmarks, outcome data, and comparison to Joslin Clinic
• 07:43 – 08:55: Future trends, new technology, and medication pipeline
• 09:15 – 10:09: Advice for healthcare professionals on patient-centered care

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Closing Thoughts

Dr. Sachmechi’s interview demonstrates a forward-thinking, patient-centered approach to diabetes care—inclusive of research, technology, multidisciplinary teamwork, and a vision for future growth. His commitment to innovation, outcomes, and community needs sets a powerful example for diabetes care delivery.

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Transcript

[A]

This is Laura Deardo with the Beckers Healthcare Podcast. I'm thrilled today to be joined by Dr. Isaac Sachemetji who is a physician in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism at NYC Health and Hospitals, Queens. Dr. Satchmeci, it's a pleasure to have you on the podcast today.

[B]

Thank you for inviting me.

[A]

Absolutely. Now, I know we've got a lot to talk about November being Diabetes Awareness Month. And so I'm wondering, can you tell us a little bit more about your program at NYC Health and Hospice and some of the cool things that you're doing there to really meet the needs of your patient population, especially those with diabetes.

[B]

Excellent. Okay, so we have Diabetes center of Excellence and I'm the director of Diabetes center of Excellence.

We are recognized by American Diabetes association.

And we are going to most likely apply for Pre recognition by July 2026.

We have the most diverse diabetic population in the Queens area. The highest rate of prevalence of diabetes in queens is about 13% more than even the New York City area.

And the most diverse ethnic group of population of diabetic you see about, I would say 80% of these diabetic are either overweight or obese. We not only treat the diabetes, but treat the obesity.

We try to use the best modalities of therapy that available currently in the market for management of diabetes. In the Diabetes center of Excellence we have a nutritionist, we have diabetes educator.

We have a team of.

Four physicians and two nurse practitioners. Nutritionist, diabetes educator. We are very adjacent in.

The localization of the diabetes center is adjacent to the ophthalmology clinic that we can refer the patient for retinal exam that is essential for the diagnosis of diabetic eye disease. We have podiatrists that running clinic in the diabetes clinic and seeing different problem of wound care and podiatric problem that is common in diabetic patient. We have classes for diabetes education at the Diabetes center and we try to also to get the best modalities of.

Measuring blood sugar like continuous glucose monitoring to the patient that we can provide if their.

Insurance cover that to get a better glycemic control in those patients. Not only diabetes care is important, but also the complication of diabetes like hypertension, hyperlipidemia. When we see diabetic patient, we address both glycemic control, the blood pressure, the dyslipidemia that they have and address all those problems with appropriate management.

Really excellent team of physician that really they have a big knowledge of diabetes care. We have the diabetes nutritionist, diabetes educator that they are excellent in in teaching and giving a nutritional advice to this patient and also to nurse practitioners that working with me for several years. And one of them became actually also certified diabetes educator that helped our diabetes educator that currently working with us. So I think is one of the center of excellence in Queens area that recognized by American Diabetes Association.

[A]

Well, that's really impressive to hear and amazing that you've got such talent on your team there especially to serve an important patient population. And given the rates of obesity in diabetes that you mentioned already within the community, it seems like an extremely needed service now.

[B]

Yeah. I have to mention also that we have a clinical research unit in the Diabetes center of Excellence at Health and Hospital Queens. I have a clinical research coordinator and few volunteers that helping her. And we are running phase three, phase four clinical studies that's sponsored by pharmaceutical companies. So patients that attend our diabetes clinic also they have the option to participate in those studies. Some of them is management of weight and obesity study or post.

Bariatric surgery hypoglycemia that we are running now. We do other studies in management of diabetes also and patient can really participate in those clinical studies.

[A]

That's great to hear. And having such an eye on innovation in the clinical studies I know push the field forward in a meaningful way. I'm curious, when you look at the different research that's been done as well as the achievements and accomplishments that you've gotten in recognition for the diabetes center, what makes it really special and unique? What are some of the elements you've been able to build over time that truly ensure you're giving the best quality care to patients possible and you can achieve these types of recognitions?

[B]

Yes. So they're putting together really the ancillary services that we need for management of diabetic patient. Having the diabetes center of Excellence that has nutritionist, has diabetes educator and providers that they are knowledgeable in management of diabetes, I think made us one of the center of excellence. Actually I did a study that we collected data about, you know, intervention of patient in diabetes center compared to medical clinic. And we compare our outcome data to Joslin Clinic that is one of the best diabetes center of excellence. And we shout that actually we are very, very comparable to Joslink Clinic in terms of achieving Delta A1C reduction and improving quality of care of patients.

[A]

That's great to hear and it's certainly.

Awesome that you're able to put all that together to have those ancillary services and be able to manage patients in a meaningful way. I'm Curious. When you look into the future, what are you most excited about? What's coming down the pipe that could really be a continued differentiator for the care of diabetic patients.

[B]

You see having, having continuous glucose monitoring that help us to get a better control of diabetes. And you know, the future is coming with this. All these.

Insulin pumps, the autonomous insulin delivery system that will really help us to really better take care of patient with diabetes who requiring insulin. That's fantastic. In the pipeline of medication, there are other medications that will most likely will be approved in close future 2006, 2007. That making combination of hormones like GLP1, gipsy, amylin and glucagon that they are promising in terms of getting better reduction of weight in this diabetes population, especially the type 2, that they are overweight or obese. I think this is exciting future for diabetes management.

[A]

That's great to hear. Now, from your perspective, is there anything you would like to share with other physicians or healthcare professionals, especially knowing this is diabetes month, how they can think about what's happening in this space and what they need to do in order to make sure that patients in their own communities are really getting the best level of care possible?

[B]

Yes, I think we should really have a system educating the patient about diabetes and its complication, educating patients that they are overweight and obese, that weight management is one of the essential part of the management of diabetes because when you achieve weight loss, you improve insulin sensitivity, improve glycemic control, and in addition you improve blood pressure control and lipid control in this patient. So I think it's very, very important to put the patient in the center of the therapy and provide them the tools that they can use really to achieve these goals.

[A]

Absolutely. That's very well said. Well, thank you so much for your time today. This has been really such a fascinating conversation. I appreciate Dr. Satchimaji and I look forward to connecting with you again soon.

[B]

Thank you. Thank you very much for your time. It.