Bassett Healthcare Network Welcomes Dr. Vanessa Goyes Ruiz

Dr. Vanessa Goyes Ruiz, who specializes in endocrinology, recently joined Bassett Healthcare Network.

Dr. Goyes Ruiz is primarily treating patients at Cobleskill Regional Hospital. As an endocrinologist, she manages a multitude of hormone disorders, including diabetes, metabolic bone disease, thyroid dysfunction, thyroid cancer, adrenal disorders, pituitary disorders, reproductive disorders, and more.

"It is incredibly rewarding being a doctor and helping patients manage their diabetes because I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 17."

Dr. Goyes Ruiz needs to check her blood sugar multiple times a day. She uses a continuous glucose monitor and an insulin pump. She wants to give Bassett patients access to the latest technology and education available to manage this chronic condition, too.

Approximately 10.5 percent of the U.S. population has diabetes and another 34.5 percent of adults across the nation have prediabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

People with type 1 diabetes do not produce insulin and must inject it regularly by needle or insulin pump. Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented and there is no cure for it.

90 to 95 percent of people with diabetes have type 2. Nearly 85 percent of adults with prediabetes do not know they have it.

Symptoms of both type 1 & 2 diabetes include: 

• Feeling very thirsty and drinking a lot
• Urinating frequently
• Feeling very hungry
• Feeling very fatigued (tired)
• Having blurry vision
• Having cuts or sores that do not fully heal

If you or someone you love is experiencing any of these symptoms or have a family history of diabetes, please make an appointment with your primary care practitioner for a blood test. You may benefit from a referral to see Dr. Goyes Ruiz.

"Referrals are not limited to Bassett doctors. We accept referrals from nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physicians outside of the Bassett network," says Joseph Hughes, MD, chief of Endocrinology at Bassett Healthcare Network.

"It takes a lot of training and education to keep diabetes under control. A support system is crucial," says Dr. Goyes Ruiz.

Dr. Goyes Ruiz trained for 13 years to become an endocrinologist, studying at York University in Toronto and Saba University School of Medicine. She completed her residency at St. Mary's Hospital in Waterbury, CT, and pursued a fellowship at SUNY Upstate Medical University.

Dr. Goyes Ruiz grew up in Toronto, Canada. Her father also has type 1 diabetes. She and her brother are the first in their family to join the medical profession.

"I help my father manage his diabetes," she says. "He is my inspiration and we are each other's support system."

If not managed properly, diabetes can lead to irreversible blindness, severe kidney disease requiring dialysis, neuropathy, and poor healing that may lead to amputation of limbs.

"Medication, diet, and physical activity are the mainstay of treatment for all types of diabetes," she added. "I see my patients about every three months. Monitoring your blood sugar in between appointments is a lot of responsibility."

The prevalence of depression is higher in patients with chronic diseases like diabetes. Ensuring patients are being screened for mental health issues and have a strong support system are important aspects in the management of diabetes.

"Deterioration of one's mental health, including due to depression, can severely limit someone's ability to manage diabetes," says Dr. Goyes Ruiz.