Skip to Main Content
Find a Physician Make an Appointment Services

EHS Brings Experts and Residents Together to Discuss Diabetes Prevention and Heart Health

Far Rockaway, New York, November 26, 2025 — Episcopal Health Services (EHS) hosted a hybrid community event for National Diabetes Awareness Month, bringing together clinical experts, a registered dietitian, and community members for an in-depth conversation about diabetes prevention and management and its connection to heart health.

Diabetes remains a significant health challenge in Queens, affecting thousands of residents. Rates are highest in neighborhoods with greater socioeconomic barriers, highlighting the need for accessible education, early detection, and equitable care. According to a 2022 New York City Health data brief, the Rockaway Peninsula has a diabetes rate of 15%, compared with 12% across Queens, and some Rockaway ZIP codes are even higher.

Latoya Maragh, MS, MPH, RN, Public Health Nurse at EHS checked Arverne resident Nicholas Rodriguez’s A1C.
Latoya Maragh, MS, MPH, RN, Public Health Nurse at EHS checked Arverne resident Nicholas Rodriguez’s A1C.
Episcopal Health Services Chief of Cardiology Dheeraj Khurana, MD (left), and Karina Appel, MD, Associate Program Director of Internal Medicine (right), are pictured with event moderator Vanessa Nazario, DBA, Chief Social Impact Officer.
Episcopal Health Services Chief of Cardiology Dheeraj Khurana, MD (left), and Karina Appel, MD, Associate Program Director of Internal Medicine (right), are pictured with event moderator Vanessa Nazario, DBA, Chief Social Impact Officer.

“Addressing diabetes in our community requires more than just treating the disease,” said Donald T. Morrish, MD, MMM, Chief Executive Officer of EHS. “It requires providing residents with the knowledge, resources, and support necessary to prevent complications and maintain long-term health. Events like this allow us to connect the community with the tools and guidance they need to take meaningful steps toward better outcomes.”

The expert panel featured Dheeraj Khurana, MD, Chief of Cardiology; Karina Appel, MD, Associate Program Director of Internal Medicine; and Stephanie Cordero, RD, Registered Dietitian at EHS. Vanessa Nazario, DBA, Chief Social Impact Officer, moderated the discussion.

Speakers clarified the differences between Type 1, Type 2, and pre-diabetes, addressed common misconceptions about the disease, and highlighted symptoms that should never be ignored.

“Pre-diabetes often has no early warning signs,” said Dr. Appel. “If you experience increased thirst, increased urination, or unexplained weight loss, these can indicate elevated blood sugar that may have been present for some time. That is why routine A1C screenings, especially for adults between 35 and 70, are so important.”

The discussion also underscored how diabetes increases the risk of heart disease, and the importance of regular cardiovascular screenings.

Stephanie Cordero, RD at EHS, provided a healthy cooking demonstration after participating as a panelist at the National Diabetes Awareness event.
Stephanie Cordero, RD at EHS, provided a healthy cooking demonstration after participating as a panelist at the National Diabetes Awareness event.

“The risk of heart disease is about twice as high for men and three times as high for women with diabetes,” said Dr. Dheeraj Khurana. “High blood sugar can damage the inner lining of blood vessels, and often causes changes in cholesterol and triglyceride levels that stiffen the arteries and create blockages. Diabetes can also cause nerve damage and prevent people from feeling chest pain, which means warning signs may go unnoticed. Together, these factors significantly increase the risk of developing congestive heart failure.”

Panelists highlighted a team-based approach to diabetes care, connecting primary care, cardiology, nutrition, and community health to support long-term wellness. They also addressed questions from attendees.

Following the discussion, participants joined a healthy cooking demonstration led by Ms. Cordero, and received free A1C health screenings from EHS’ Population Health team.

For more information on diabetes care at EHS, call 718-EHS-DOCS.

About Episcopal Health Services

Episcopal Health Services Inc., (EHS) is a health system located on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, New York. The system provides emergency and ambulatory care to the densely populated, culturally and economically diverse, and medically underserved Rockaways and Five Towns populations. The system provides people of all faiths with comprehensive preventive, diagnostic treatment, and rehabilitative services, regardless of their ability to pay.