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Michelle McMacken, MD, FACP, DipABLM and Talya Schwartz, MD Acknowledged as 2025 Trailblazers in Healthcare by City & State
Dr. McMacken has led the development and growth of the health system’s Lifestyle Medicine Program, recognized as one of the largest lifestyle medicine initiatives nationwide, and during Dr. Schwartz’s time at MetroPlusHealth, the organization has experienced a 35% rise in membership
Jan 21, 2025
New York, NY — NYC Health + Hospitals has announced today that Michelle McMacken, MD, FACP, DipABLM and Talya Schwartz, MD have been honored as 2025 Trailblazers in Healthcare by City & State.
In 2019, Dr. McMacken initiated the health system’s inaugural Lifestyle Medicine Program at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, garnering significant interest from patients, including a waitlist surpassing 800 individuals at one point. Over the past year, she has managed the program’s growth to seven locations within the health system. Now the Lifestyle Medicine Program at NYC Health + Hospitals ranks among the largest such programs nationally, offering patients with chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension resources to enact healthy lifestyle modifications, including personalized counseling, weekly group classes, and delivery of fresh produce. The pilot phase of this program exhibited clinically and statistically significant advancements in cardiometabolic outcomes, with some patients experiencing remission of their diabetes through lifestyle interventions. To date, over 3,000 individuals have interacted with the program’s multidisciplinary team, which aims to assist high-risk communities facing substantial challenges, such as food insecurity.
Since 2019, Talya Schwartz, MD, has held the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of MetroPlusHealth. Throughout her tenure, MetroPlusHealth has witnessed a 35% rise in membership. She led the organization’s overhaul by bringing behavioral health services in-house, revamping the website and member portals, updating outdated technology, and enhancing virtual consultations for more than 700,000 members. Her commitment to tackling the social determinants of health for New York City’s most at-risk communities showcases her exemplary leadership. Furthermore, Dr. Schwartz is a mother to two daughters.
“The term Trailblazer hardly captures Dr. McMacken’s achievements,” remarked Kate MacKenzie, Executive Director of Mayor’s Office of Food Policy. “Her inspiring vision to utilize food as a medicinal tool within our Lifestyle Medicine Programs has been groundbreaking in our fight against food and nutrition insecurity across the city. Owing to Dr. McMacken’s guidance, we are creating more equitable access to nutritious and sustainable food and paving the way for healthier futures for all New Yorkers.”
“It is a profound honor to accept this trailblazer accolade, yet the real praise belongs to our outstanding interdisciplinary team,” stated Michelle McMacken, MD, FACP, DipABLM, Executive Director of Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals. “United, we have pioneered a large-scale rollout of lifestyle medicine services within the nation’s largest municipal public health care system, ensuring that our offerings benefit the communities most in need. By merging evidence-based lifestyle strategies with support for health-related social needs, we are empowering patients to improve their health and realize their fullest potential.”
“Being recognized on City & State’s Trailblazers in Health Care list is a tremendous honor that reflects MetroPlusHealth’s unwavering dedication to the members we support,” expressed Talya Schwartz, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer, MetroPlusHealth. “This acknowledgment highlights…
the commitment of our team, who labor relentlessly to guarantee that each member receives compassionate, fair, and pioneering care. Our members motivate us every day to transcend limits and create a significant impact in their lives and communities.”
Dr. McMacken has been serving as the Executive Director of Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals, a role established specifically for her, since 2022. As a primary care doctor, Dr. McMacken consults patients at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, where she also led the Adult Weight Management Program for 16 years. She became part of NYC Health + Hospitals in 2004.
A prominent figure in nutrition and lifestyle medicine, Dr. McMacken frequently addresses medical audiences, including national gatherings such as the American College of Physicians and the American Diabetes Association. Over 55,000 healthcare professionals nationwide have signed up for an educational package featuring Dr. McMacken’s course on nutrition for chronic disease management, which aligns with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine’s commitment to the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Foster Healthy Communities. Dr. McMacken is also an Associate Professor of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, where she has been honored with the ‘Teacher of the Year’ award three times.
Dr. McMacken earned her undergraduate degree from Yale University and her medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She is an accomplished public speaker, has authored articles on nutrition and lifestyle medicine in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and has served on the Board of Directors for the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. She holds board certifications in both internal medicine and lifestyle medicine.
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About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public healthcare system in the United States, catering to over a million New Yorkers each year across 70 patient care sites in the five boroughs of the city. A comprehensive network of outpatient, community-based primary and specialty care facilities provides care coordination alongside the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care facilities, home care services, and MetroPlus health plan—all backed by 11 vital hospitals. Its diverse team of more than 42,000 employees is distinctly dedicated to empowering all New Yorkers to lead the healthiest life possible. For further details, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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