Contact:
Wendy L. Goldstein
Director, Public Affairs
(516) 663-2234
wgoldstein@winthrop.org
Mineola, NY – July 15, 2010 – In a move designed to help stem the rising tide of obesity and diabetes and to provide the best possible care to patients with these conditions, Winthrop-University Hospital has created the Winthrop Diabetes and Obesity Institute, where patient care, medical research and education will be coordinated to maximize the effectiveness of the hospital’s efforts in each area. Virginia Peragallo-Dittko, RN, BC-ADM, CDE, well-known to many as the long-time and highly-respected Director of Winthrop’s Diabetes Education Center, has been appointed Executive Director of the new Winthrop Diabetes and Obesity Institute.
Ms. Peragallo-Dittko’s vast experience and outstanding leadership will serve her, and Winthrop’s patients, very well in this new role as she works with essentially every specialty and department of the Hospital to bridge the chain of diabetes and obesity-related healthcare and research components toward this shared vision.
“Virginia is highly respected by her patients, her colleagues within and beyond the Hospital, and by the Winthrop Board of Directors. Her expertise in diabetes care and education is absolutely impressive and the leadership skills she has demonstrated over the years are impeccable,” said John F. Collins, President and CEO of Winthrop.
Ms. Peragallo-Dittko has been the Director of Winthrop’s Diabetes Education Center since 1985. She’s been appointed Professor of Clinical Medicine, SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine and is Board certified in Advanced Diabetes Management. Ms. Peragallo-Dittko is nationally recognized as a leader and scholar in the diabetes community and has the distinction of being the only recipient of two elite national awards – the American Diabetes Association 2007 Outstanding Educator in Diabetes and the 1990 Diabetes Educator of the Year. The author of over 100 books, articles, book chapters and monographs relating to diabetes education and management, Ms. Peragallo-Dittko also serves as Associate Editor of The Diabetes Educator Journal.
Ms. Peragallo-Dittko resides in Levittown with her husband Peter Dittko.
