Shamima Akter, MD

Meet Shamima Akter, MD

Advanced Endocrinology Care Centered on the Whole Person

Shamima Akter, MD, is a fellowship-trained endocrinologist serving adults in Sulphur Springs, Texas. She completed her Internal Medicine residency at St. Francis-Emory Healthcare, where she served as an Academic Chief Resident, followed by advanced fellowship training in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at the University at Buffalo. Her path to Sulphur Springs has taken her through medical training and professional experiences across several states, including New York, Georgia, West Virginia, Michigan and Florida. Today, she brings that broad perspective to East Texas, helping patients manage diabetes, thyroid disease, obesity and other hormonal and metabolic conditions with evidence-based care grounded in careful listening, clear communication and long-term partnership.

Career at a Glance

• Served as Academic Chief Resident during her Internal Medicine residency at St. Francis-Emory Healthcare
• Experienced in advanced diabetes technology, including insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors
• Trained in thyroid ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration biopsy for thyroid nodules
• Recognized as an NYC Health+ COVID Hero by NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx in 2020
• Published researcher with work addressing diabetes, insulin resistance, metabolic inflammation, mental health and cardiovascular health
• Speaks multiple languages and enjoys connecting with patients from a variety of cultures and backgrounds

Clinical Role and Leadership

As an endocrinologist with CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic in Sulphur Springs, Dr. Akter provides specialized evaluation and long-term management for adults with hormonal, metabolic and endocrine conditions. Her background in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology gives her a broad clinical perspective when symptoms affect multiple areas of a patient’s health. Her leadership experience as an Academic Chief Resident also strengthened her skills in physician education, clinical communication and evidence-based decision-making. By bringing fellowship-trained endocrinology care and advanced diagnostic capabilities to Sulphur Springs, she helps patients receive specialized care right in their hometown.

She provides specialized care for conditions such as:

• Diabetes and metabolic disease
• Thyroid disorders and thyroid nodules
• Parathyroid disorders
• Osteoporosis and other bone mineral disorders
• Obesity and weight-related metabolic conditions
• Adrenal gland disorders
• Pituitary disorders

What You Can Expect from Care with Dr. Akter

Dr. Akter begins each patient relationship by listening. She wants to understand not only the diagnosis documented in the medical record, but also the person living with it, including the patient’s daily challenges, priorities and goals. Because hormonal and metabolic conditions can affect many parts of life, she takes time to explain findings clearly, answer questions without rushing and develop a treatment plan with the patient rather than simply handing one down. She approaches each patient with the patience, respect and genuine attention she would offer a member of her own family, while grounding every recommendation in evidence-based medicine.

You can expect:

• A physician who takes time to understand you as a whole person
• Clear explanations of your diagnosis, test results and treatment options
• A personalized plan developed through shared decision-making
• Respectful, attentive care without feeling rushed
• Continued support through the challenges of managing a chronic condition

Advanced Diagnostic Care

Dr. Akter uses advanced technology to help patients better understand and manage complex endocrine conditions. For people living with diabetes, her experience includes continuous glucose monitors, which provide insight into glucose patterns throughout the day, and insulin pumps, which can support more individualized insulin management. She also has training in thyroid ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration biopsy, allowing for a more detailed evaluation of thyroid nodules when clinically appropriate.

Her areas of advanced diagnostic and technology-supported care include:

• Continuous glucose monitoring
• Insulin-pump management
• Thyroid ultrasound
• Ultrasound-guided evaluation of thyroid nodules
• Fine-needle aspiration biopsy
• Comprehensive endocrine laboratory evaluation and interpretation

Research, Clinical Insight, and Thought Leadership

Dr. Akter contributes to the medical community through research focused on improving care for patients with hormonal and metabolic conditions. Her peer-reviewed work has explored diabetic polyneuropathy, insulin resistance, metabolic inflammation, the relationship between mental health and diabetes outcomes and connections involving metabolic and cardiovascular health.

Her research reflects an interest in looking beyond a single diagnosis to better understand the biological, behavioral and emotional factors that can influence a patient’s health. This academic background supports her commitment to applying current evidence and emerging clinical insight to treatment decisions.

Her academic work can be viewed through her Google Scholar profile.

Commitment to Public Health and Health Equity

Dr. Akter’s professional journey has allowed her to care for and learn from people across a wide range of communities. She speaks multiple languages and values connecting with patients from different cultural backgrounds, traditions and life experiences. Her curiosity about cultures, cuisines and perspectives helps her build meaningful relationships with people from all walks of life.

In 2020, she was recognized as an NYC Health+ COVID Hero by NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx. This recognition reflects her service during a defining public health emergency. Her research and clinical interests also address conditions with a substantial effect on population health, including diabetes, obesity, metabolic disease and cardiovascular risk.

By providing adult endocrinology services in Sulphur Springs, Dr. Akter helps expand local access to specialized care for patients managing complex, long-term hormonal and metabolic conditions.

Outside of medicine, she enjoys hiking, gardening, reading and spending quality time with her family. She also enjoys learning about new cultures and trying different cuisines. Having lived and trained in several regions across the country before arriving in Sulphur Springs, she brings an appreciation for the experiences, traditions and perspectives that make each patient unique.