Mounting Defenses Against Diabetes How New York Medical College is Committed to Stopping Diabetes in its Tracks BY MELISSA PHETERSON
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fter decades of tireless efforts to halt America’s diabetes epidemic, nothing seemed to move the needle — until now. According to a recent study from the Centers for Disease Control, after a 20-year increase, new diabetes cases are in decline. It is the first sign that efforts to stop the nation’s diabetes epidemic are working. Among those leading the charge is New York Medical College (NYMC) to prevent and treat diabetes on several fronts: from population studies to curriculum enhancements, and from targeted cellular therapies to community nutrition programs. The College’s initiatives have drawn national attention, broke new ground and opened new pathways for patients, physicians and scientists.
PREVENTION AS A CURE Jerry L. Nadler, M.D., MACP, FAHA, FACE, dean of the School of Medicine and professor of medicine and pharmacology, has treated many diabetes patients as an endocrinologist. As a researcher, he continues NYMC’s work with JDRF’s 22
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Network for Pancreatic Organ Donors with Diabetes to identify whether a virus is triggering the immune response involved in causing type 1 diabetes (T1D), also previously known as juvenile diabetes. They are exploring if some form of the Coxsackie virus is a possibility. “We’re part of a worldwide collaboration to identify the virus and possibly develop a vaccine,” Dr. Nadler says. “We’re also pursuing a new treatment that inhibits the enzyme causing inflammation of the pancreas cells. If we can stop the inflammation of the cells that make insulin, we can possibly prevent the damage that leads to diabetes.” Dr. Nadler recently received a five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue this research with investigators at Harvard University and the University of Chicago. He is involved with funded research to study the link between obesity, diabetes and heart disease and identify a new target for treatment to preserve beta cell functions and reduce heart disease. He is also interested in the associations of type 1 and type 2 diabetes (T2D) with COVID-19 related mortality.
In his leadership role at NYMC, Dr. Nadler has focused on including guidelines for nutrition and healthy eating into the curriculum for medical students, helping address the T2D that often arises from lifestyle. “Studies have shown most medical students feel uncomfortable providing information to patients on proper nutrition and healthy eating. Given that nutrition plays a key role in disease prevention, we want our students to understand the science and feel comfortable guiding patients,” Dr. Nadler explains. “Students need to be educated on the science of nutrition, healthy eating opportunities and lifelong wellness through diet.” With hospital affiliates of NYMC integrating treatment and prevention programs to address diabetes, medical students have the opportunity to partner with nurses, pharmacists and nutritionists in several initiatives throughout the region. As a physician, Dr. Nadler seeks to eradicate the threat of diabetes—one patient at a time—by citing his own experience. “I have a family history of diabetes. Several years ago, I found that I was gaining weight
