Dr. Dana Rochester
Dr. Dana Rochester is a double board-certified endocrinologist who is excited to join Well By Messer after nearly 20 years of providing exceptional, dedicated care to patients on Long Island, NY. She graduated magna cum laude from Duke University and went on to attend the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, where she was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. Dr. Rochester remained at Mount Sinai for her Internal Medicine residency before completing her fellowship in Endocrinology and Metabolism at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx.
Academic Background
Fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at Montefiore Einstein
Residency in Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital
Medical degree from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Undergraduate degree from Duke University
Professional Memberships
Endocrine Society
American Association of Clinical Endocrinology
Medical Society of the State of New York
Board Certifications
Dr. Rochester is board certified in:
Internal Medicine
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Hospital Privileges
North Shore University Hospital
Adjunct Physician, Department of Medicine/Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
St. Francis Hospital and Heart Center
Community Physician, Department of Medicine/Division of Endocrinology
Get to Know Dr. Dana Rochester
Why Did You Become a Doctor?
There were no physicians in my family, and for much of my childhood, medicine felt distant and inaccessible. That changed in my early teens when a female adolescent medicine specialist joined my pediatrician’s practice. For the first time, a physician spoke to me in a way that felt personal and engaged, and I saw how meaningful it could be to make a patient feel truly heard. That encounter marked the first time I envisioned myself pursuing a career in medicine.
Observing doctors in medical school gave shape to that early inspiration, as I came to appreciate the privilege of forming long-term relationships with patients, guiding them through complex illnesses, and supporting them in living healthier, more fulfilling lives.
What Made You Focus on Endocrinology?
Being an endocrinologist allows me to help people understand and manage chronic medical conditions while also identifying less common disorders that require deeper expertise. There is nothing more rewarding than supporting patients who are struggling with their thyroid, diabetes, or weight management, and watching them transform their health with the right tools and treatments. The rapidly evolving landscape of therapeutic options continues to energize my work, offering new possibilities each day to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
What Is Your Approach to Medicine?
I approach each patient with an open mind and a genuine commitment to listening to their story. People rarely present in a neat, predictable way, and providing excellent care begins with a comprehensive, holistic evaluation. Patients often tell me that no other doctor takes as much time with them or asks as many questions. Because I take the time to listen carefully and thoroughly review their records, I have been able to diagnose conditions outside of my specialty and ensure that patients receive the care they need.
A large part of my role is patient education. I want patients to understand my thought process from start to finish- what the differential diagnosis includes, how we’ll determine the underlying problem, and what our treatment plan will be. It is essential for patients to take an active role in their care in order to navigate our complex medical system effectively. My treatment recommendations are grounded in evidence-based medicine while also accounting for the individual differences that shape each patient’s care.
How Would You Define Patient Care?
For me, patient care is rooted in shared decision-making. I see my role as that of a well-informed consultant-current on best practices and committed to ensuring that patients fully understand the risks and benefits of each option. No single treatment is right for everyone. My goal is to provide clarity, guidance, and support so that patients feel empowered to make decisions that align with their values and take an active role in managing their health.
Do You Do Any Philanthropic Work?
Beyond my clinical work, I remain committed to improving health at the community level. I support local food banks personally, through our synagogue, and alongside my daughter’s soccer club, because access to nutritious food is not merely a social issue-it is a cornerstone of disease prevention.
Publications
Rochester D, Jain A, Polotsky AJ, Polotsky H, Gibbs K, Isaac B, Zeitlian G, Hickmon C, Feng S, Santoro N. Partial recovery of luteal function after bariatric surgery in obese women. Fertil Steril 2008 Sep 30;92(4):1410-1415.
Jain A, Polotsky AJ, Rochester D, Berga SL, Loucks T, Zeitlian G, Gibbs K, Polotsky HN, Feng S, Isaac B, Santoro N. Pulsatile luteinizing hormone amplitude and progesterone metabolite excretion are reduced in obese women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007 Jul;92(7):2468-2473.
Rochester D, Santoro N, “Metabolic Syndrome”. The 5-Minute Obstetrics and Gynecology Consult, edited by Paula J. Adams Hillard,Wolters Kluwer, 2008; pp. 294-295.
Benhaim Rochester DI, Davies TF. Increased risk of Graves’ disease after pregnancy. Thyroid 2005; 15(11):1287-1290.
Benhaim DI, Lopchinsky R, Tartter PL. Lumpectomy with Tamoxifen as primary treatment for elderly women with breast cancer. Am J Surg 2000 Sep; 180 (3):162-166.
Sanders, M and Benhaim, D. Drosophila Rrp1 3’-exonuclease: demonstration of DNA sequence dependence and DNA strand specificity. Nucleic Acids Res 1996 Oct 15; 24(20)L 3926-3933.
Medical Talks & Presentations
The occurrence of a growth hormone (GH) producing pituitary tumor in a pediatric patient on long-term cyclosporine treatment. PAS/LWPES, April 2006.
p53 Mutation and Papillary Thyroid Cancer. Fall Meeting of the NY Thyroid Club, October 2005, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY.
Awards & Recognitions
New York Magazine Best Doctors, 2022-present
Castle Connolly Top Doctors New York Metro Area, 2022-present
Castle Connolly Top Doctors, 2021-present
Newsday- Top Doctors on Long Island, 2022-present
Medical Specialties
Adrenal adenomas (adrenal masses)
Amenorrhea/oligomenorrhea (absent or infrequent menstrual periods)
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Cushing’s disease (elevated cortisol levels)
Gynecomastia (breast formation in males)
Hyperaldosteronism (elevated aldosterone levels)
Hypercalcemia/hypocalcemia (high and low calcium levels)
Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol levels)
Hyperparathyroidism (high parathyroid hormone levels)
Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels)
Hyponatremia (low sodium levels)
Difficulty losing weight
Thyroid cancer
Thyroid nodules
Hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism
Type 1 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes
Gestational diabetes
Osteopenia (precursor to osteoporosis)
Osteoporosis
Pheochromocytoma (elevated adrenaline levels)
Pituitary adenomas (pituitary masses)
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Prolactinomas (elevated levels of the hormone that produces breast milk)
Location
Address
1010 Northern Boulevard
Suite 102
Great Neck, NY 11021
Get directions
Contact
Phone: (516) 985-2196
Fax: (646) 974-9714
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