Queens Hospital Launches New Weight Management and Healthy Lifestyles Program

Queens Hospital Launches New Weight Management and Healthy Lifestyles Program

The program includes counseling with a nutritionist, psychologist, and a physician trained in weight management to support the patient holistically

Nov 08, 2024

NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens announced the launch of its new Weight Management and Healthy Lifestyles Program, which will address critical health issues such as diabetes and obesity. The program includes counseling with a nutritionist, psychologist, and a physician trained in weight management to support the patient holistically. The program aims to support the patient in losing 5-10% of their baseline weight, which has been shown to improve one's blood pressure, lower glucose levels, lower total cholesterol and triglycerides and reduce the likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome. Patients with a BMI of 27 or more with one weight related co-morbidity such as hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, osteoarthritis or a BMI of 30 or more with no comorbidities can be referred to the program. Queens Hospital is the first NYC Health + Hospitals site in Queens to offer the Weight Management and Healthy Lifestyles Program.

"Today's ribbon-cutting is a significant milestone for our institution, and an important step forward in our ongoing commitment to improving health outcomes for the vibrant southeast Queens community we serve," said NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens Chief Executive Officer Neil J. Moore, MBA, MPA, FACHE."Our vision at Queens Hospital is clear: we strive to create a health system that is accessible, equitable, and responsive to the needs of every individual in our community. We recognize that achieving healthier outcomes is not solely about treating illness; it is about fostering an environment that prioritizes preventive care and encourages healthy lifestyle choices."

"The Weight Management and Health Lifestyles Program is multifaceted, offering personal assessments, nutrition counseling, fitness guidance, and behavioral modification strategies," said NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens Associate Director of the Department of Medicine and Director of Ambulatory Care Debra Brennessel, MD. "By working closely with our multidisciplinary team of experts, we aim to provide tailored support that meets the unique needs of each participant. Our goal is to not only help individuals manage their weight but to create a culture of well-being that promotes sustainable lifestyle changes."

"By focusing on proactive health measures, the program is designed to empower community members with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions about their well-being," said NYC Health + Hospitals Director of the Weight Management and Healthy Lifestyles Program Leia Stathakos, MD. "With tailored support from our multidisciplinary team, participants will receive guidance on nutrition, physical activity, and behavioral modification strategies, forging pathways to healthier living."

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Media Contact: Cleon Edwards, NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, 646-772-5725
Jane Petrik, NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, 718-883-2129

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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. The year 2015 marked its 80th 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. We are a network of 11 hospitals, trauma centers, neighborhood health centers, nursing homes, and post-acute care centers. We are a home care agency and a health plan, MetroPlus. Our health system provides essential services to more than one million New Yorkers every year in more than 70 locations across the city's five boroughs. Our diverse workforce of more than 43,000 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.