Ileana Vargas, MD
Overview
Dr. Vargas specializes in Pediatric Endocrinology and is an engaged educator. Dr Vargas joined our faculty in 1998. She has played an active role in the clinical care of pediatric patients with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes at the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center (NBDC), where she was an integral part in the establishment of its Pediatric component. Her work has focused on curriculum development for patient education in diabetes management and most recently in nutrition education. These efforts include hands-on and virtual cooking demonstrations as well as contributing to the NBDC monthly newsletter topics such as incorporating healthful foods and treats that can help maintain or improve blood sugar control. Dr Vargas participated in the establishment of a Pediatric Obesity Center, now called the Program for Overweight Education and Reduction (POWER) Clinic. She is involved in several ongoing clinical trials; recruiting patients from the community to participate in efforts to promote and study changes in lifestyle and their effect on childhood obesity.
Dr. Vargas received a Master of Science in Nutrition at the Institute of Human Nutrition at Columbia University 2/2017. Her thesis research addressed childhood obesity prevention and management in an academic teaching center with a specific focus on resident education. Her findings lead to her involvement in curricular development for the medical student Pediatric Clerkship curriculum in nutrition and obesity which commenced July 2017. She is also co-chairing a committee on Developing a Pediatric Residency Training Curriculum in Nutrition and Obesity since 2018. Dr. Vargas and Dr. John Rausch worked with two residents on their scholarly projects on Culinary Medicine and focusing on the concept of Food as Medicine and are working on integrating their findings to improve outpatient care. In addition, she is involved with Kyle Murray, RD, CDE from NYP-CHALK in giving a monthly nutrition education workshop to the pediatric residents during their outpatient clinical rotation “Social Determinants of Health, Food Insecurity and Introduction to Culinary Medicine” where the residents get to do hands-on cooking demonstrations. She truly feels that Nutrition in our current environment needs to be well taught and that improving our diet quality can prevent and treat diseases such as diabetes. She is currently pursuing a Culinary Medicine Specialist Certification with expected completion spring 2021.
Areas of Expertise / Conditions Treated
- Child and Adolescent Obesity
- Pediatric Diabetes
Academic Appointments
- Associate Professor of Pediatrics at CUMC
Hospital Affiliations
- NewYork-Presbyterian / Columbia University Irving Medical Center
- NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital
Languages
- Spanish
Gender
- Female
Schedule an Appointment
Virtual Visits/Telehealth
Virtual Visits allow you to connect with your provider from the comfort, convenience, and safety of your own home.
Phone Appointments
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Location(s)
Insurance Accepted
Aetna
- Aetna Signature Administrators
- NY Signature
- Student Health
Affinity Health Plan
- Medicaid Managed Care
Amerigroup of New Jersey
- New Jersey Services (Medicaid Managed Care)
Amida Care
- Special Needs
Cigna
- EPO
- Great West (National)
- HMO
- Medicare Managed Care
- POS
- PPO
Emblem/GHI
- Medicare Managed Care
- PPO
Emblem/HIP
- ConnectiCare
- EPO
- Essential Plan
- HMO
- Medicare Managed Care
- POS
- PPO
- Select Care (Exchange)
- Vytra
Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield
- EPO
- HMO
- Medicare Managed Care
- PPO
Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HealthPlus
- Child/Family Health Plus
- Essential Plan
Fidelis Care
- Essential Plan
- Medicaid Managed Care
- Medicare Managed Care
Healthfirst
- Child/Family Health Plus
- Leaf (Exchange)
- Medicare Managed Care
Local 1199
- Local 1199
- NYP Employee Plan
MagnaCare (National)
- MagnaCare
Medicare
- Railroad
- Traditional Medicare
Multiplan
- Multiplan
MVP Health Care
- Child/Family Health Plus
- Essential Plan
- HMO
- Medicaid Managed Care
Quality Health Management
- Quality Health Management
UnitedHealthcare
- Compass (Exchange)
- Empire Plan
- HMO
- Medicaid (Community Plan)
- Oxford Freedom
- Oxford HMO
- Oxford Liberty
- POS
- PPO
VNSNY CHOICE
- SelectHealth
WellCare
- Medicaid Managed Care
- Medicare Managed Care
- New Jersey Services (Medicaid Managed Care)
World Trade Center Health Plan
- World Trade Center Health Plan
Credentials & Experience
Education & Training
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine - Yeshiva University
- Internship: Babies & Children's Hospital - Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center
- Residency: Babies & Children's Hospital - Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center
- Fellowship: Mount Sinai Hospital
Board Certifications
- Pediatric Endocrinology
Research
Dr. Vargas specializes in Pediatric Endocrinology and is an active educator. Dr Vargas joined our faculty in 1998. She has played an active role in the clinical care of pediatric patients with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes at the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center, where she was an integral part in the establishment of its Pediatric component. Her work has focused on curriculum development for patient education in diabetes management and most recently nutrition education. Dr Vargas participated in the establishment of a Pediatric Obesity Center, now called the Program for Overweight Education and Reduction (POWER) Clinic. She is involved in several ongoing clinical trials; recruiting patients from the community to participate in efforts to promote and study changes in lifestyle and their effect on childhood obesity.
Dr. Vargas received a Master of Science in Nutrition at the Institute of Human Nutrition at Columbia University 2/2017. Her thesis research addressed childhood obesity prevention and management in an academic teaching center with a specific focus on resident education. Her findings lead to her involvement in curricular development for the medical student Pediatric Clerkship curriculum in nutrition and obesity which commenced July 2017. She is also co-chairing the newly formed committee on Developing a Pediatric Residency Training Curriculum in Nutrition and Obesity since 2018. Dr. Vargas and Dr. John Rausch are working with two residents on their scholarly projects on Culinary Medicine and focusing on the concept of Food as Medicine. She truly feels that Nutrition in our current environment needs to be well taught and that improving our diet quality can prevent and treat diseases such as diabetes. She is currently pursing a Culinary Medicine Specialist Certification.
Research Interests
- CHONY-Chefs-Culinary Medicine Teaching Kitchen Project
- Food Insecurity and Diabetes Distress in Children with both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
- Nutrition Curriculum Development for Pediatric Residency Program
- Prevention of excessive weight gain in children leading to Type 2 Diabetes
For a complete list of publications, please visit PubMed.gov