Endocrinology and Diabetes Team

Jeanne Steppel-Reznik, MD 

Dr Steppel-Reznik obtained her medical degree from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland.  She then completed her residency training in Internal Medicine at Yale New-Haven Hospital and fellowship training in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital and Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston. She has been practicing at Newton-Wellesley Hospital since 2005. She sees mainly diabetes patients in her clinical practice.

Dr Steppel-Reznik serves as Chief of the Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes and Director of Diabetes Care. She is medical director of Newton-Wellesley Hospital’s American Diabetes Association Certified Diabetes Management Program that provides individual assessments, group classes, and support groups for a large outpatient diabetes population. She also serves as medical director of the Gestational Diabetes Clinic.

Eric Nou, MD

Dr. Eric Nou is a general endocrinologist who practices at Newton Wellesley Hospital.  He grew up in Minnesota and graduated from college at Yale University.  He obtained his medical degree from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland.  He then finished his residency training in Internal Medicine at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and fellowship training in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.  He has been practicing at Newton Wellesley Hospital since 2016 and sees patients with various endocrine disorders including those with diabetes, thyroid, parathyroid, osteoporosis, hypogonadism, pituitary, and adrenal issues.  He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism and is a member of the Endocrine Society and the American Diabetes Association.

Karen Choong, MD

Dr. Choong obtained her medical degree from McGill University School of Medicine in Montreal, Canada.  She then finished her residency training in Internal Medicine and fellowship training in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at Boston University/Boston Medical Center.  She has been practicing at Newton Wellesley Hospital since 2022 and has an interest in general endocrinology with a focus on thyroid nodules and osteoporosis.   

Catalina Norman, MD, PhD

Dr. Catalina Norman received her medical degree at University of Medicine in Bucharest, Romania, and subsequently completed her Internal Medicine residency training program at Yale-affiliated Norwalk Hospital followed by Endocrinology Fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

She joined the Department of Endocrinology at Newton Wellesley Hospital in 2022. Her clinical practice includes general endocrinology including bone and mineral metabolism conditions (osteoporosis, hypercalcemia, hyperparathyroidism, Paget disease), thyroid disorders (hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer), adrenal conditions and adrenal nodules, pituitary adenoma, PCOS, menopausal symptoms, as well as management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Devina Willard, MD

Dr. Willard is a board-certified endocrinologist. She earned her medical degree from Boston University. She completed her residency training in Internal Medicine followed by a fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at Boston Medical Center. Dr. Willard has been practicing medicine for over 10 years and specializes in all areas of endocrinology including diabetes, thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, and other endocrine disorders.

Elyse Rayney, CNP

Elyse grew up in Vermont and completed her undergraduate work at the University of Vermont before completing her master's degree in nursing at the MGHIHP in Boston. She has worked in diabetes management since 2012; first in clinical research at the MGH diabetes center and  with NWH Endocrine and Diabetes since 2017. Her clinical interests include diabetes prevention, management of type 1, type 1.5, and type 2 diabetes, with particular interest in diabetes technology and clinical research. Elyse offers comprehensive expertise in diabetes care, including patient education, medication management, and lifestyle counseling. She is passionate about promoting patient well-being through personalized care plans and staying up to date with the latest advancements in diabetes management.

Lawna Wigle, CNP

Lawna Wigle, CNP, has over 20 years in the nursing profession. She graduated from the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill in 2012 as an FNP. She joined the diabetes team at NWH in 2016 and specializes in both inpatient and outpatient diabetes management and education. 

Jennifer Balukonis, CNP

Jennifer Balukonis, NP, CDCES is a board-certified adult and gerontology nurse practitioner and certified diabetes care and education specialist.  She is a summa cum laude graduate of Fairfield University School of Nursing and honors graduate of Yale University School of Nursing.  Her clinical interests are diabetes in older adults and improving access to quality diabetes care.  When not at work, she enjoys hiking with her dogs, skiing, and hanging out on the sidelines cheering on her children.

Amanda Sheehan, CNP

Amanda is originally from Arizona and completed an undergraduate degree in psychology at Northern Arizona University with honors.  She moved from Flagstaff to Boston in 2004 to work at Joslin Diabetes Center in clinical research focused on the effects of diabetes on brain structure, function, and mental health, as well as serving as the neurocognitive coordinator for the DCCT/EDIC study.  Concurrently she received her nursing degree from Simmons University, and after her initial time at Joslin, she joined the Veterans Administration in nursing.  She completed her Master's of Science in nursing in 2017 from the University of Massachusetts Boston with honors.   With an ongoing passion for the care of individuals with endocrine disorders, she returned to the Joslin Diabetes Center.  She was the lead NP for the adult clinic, practicing primarily in the Hypoglycemia Clinic, and the Latinx clinic, as well as contributing to research with a focus on hypoglycemia in individuals without diabetes.   Amanda joined the practice at Newton Wellesley Hospital in 2023.  She provides comprehensive care including medication and diabetes technology management.  Amanda is enthusiastic about empowering individuals in their self-care and providing support in utilizing evidence-based, integrative treatments and technology that improve both endocrine health and wellbeing.  

Elizabeth Shea, RN

Kimberly Sabada, MS, RDN, CDCES

Kim is the lead Registered Dietitian (RD) and American Diabetes Association Coordinator for the practice. She obtained her BS in Nutrition from Saint Louis University in 2011, her MS from Boston University in 2012 and has been a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) since 2016. She currently sits on the board of the Massachusetts Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Her areas of interest include diabetes, cardiovascular health, pregnancy, and weight management.

Christina Chiu, MS, RDN, CNSC

Christina Chiu, MS, RD, LDN, is a Registered Dietitian with more than 15 years’ experience. Christina has a background in clinical/oncology nutrition, research, and nutrition support. As an outpatient dietitian in the Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Christina provides in-depth and personalized counseling for diabetes, weight management, GI disorders, as well as for patients with specialized nutrition support needs.  She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology at Cornell University and completed her Dietetic Internship and Master of Science degree at Boston University. She is a clinical instructor at Boston University and is a recipient of the Newton-Wellesley Hospital Partners in Patient Care award.

Jingxuan “Jessie” Piao, MS, RDN, LDN

Jingxuan “Jessie” Piao, MS, RDN, LDN holds two Bachelor of Science degrees in Nutritional Sciences as well as Biological Sciences at University of Maryland, College Park, and completed her Master of Science degree along with the Dietetic Internship at Boston University. Her areas of interests include diabetes, women’s health, cardiovascular health, and GI conditions. With her multicultural background, she helps individuals achieve their health goals while honoring their cultural identities.

Alannah Waisel

Alannah is a Certified Medical Assistant. She has worked in the healthcare field for over 10 years and has a passion for helping others and interacting with patients. She completed a master’s degree in health education and behavior from the University of Florida. She is actively working towards the goal of becoming a Certified Diabetes Educator.  Living with Type 1 diabetes for over 20 years has propelled her to help others living with diabetes as she knows how difficult it can be to manage this disease. Her goal in working with patients is to support, empower, and provide tools that will help them manage this disease so they can live their lives freely.

Bryan Hernandez, NP

Bryan Hernandez, CNP, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. He graduated with his Bachelor’s degree from Framingham State University & his Master's from the University of Massachusetts Boston. Originally trained at the Joslin Diabetes center for inpatient and outpatient diabetes care. His clinical interests are the use of insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors, and working with the Latinx community as he is a native Spanish speaker. Originally from California but considers himself a Boston native when transplanting here at the young age of 9. When not at work, he enjoys playing pickleball, volleyball, & enjoying time with his family, friends, and mini-goldendoodle named Oliver.