Maria Mercedes Chang Villacreses, M.D.

(877) 460-4673
Maria Mercedes Chang Villacreses, M.D.
Endocrinologist
Clinical Expertise
  • Adrenal Disease
  • Bone and Calcium Metabolism
  • Diabetes and Glucose Metabolism
  • Hypogonadism
  • Pituitary Disorders
  • Thyroid Pathology
Research Area
  • Diabetes Prevention
  • Metabolic Syndrome and Micronutrients
  • Obesity
  • Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease Prevention
  • Vitamin D Homeostasis
  • Immunotherapy Related Endocrinopathies
Other Languages Spoken
Spanish
Academic Appointments
  • Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism
  • City of Hope Endocrinology Diabetes and Metabolism Fellowship Associate Program Director
Clinical Teams
Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism

Maria Mercedes Chang Villacreses, M.D., is determined to make a difference in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diabetes. As an assistant clinical professor with City of Hope®'s Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Dr. Chang Villacreses determined that the popular A1c test may not be sufficient to determine the presence of diabetes.

"We want to diagnose diabetes earlier so we can intervene earlier and potentially prevent diabetic complications from developing," she said. "The best way to do that is by also using oral glucose tests."

Dr. Chang Villacreses is a perpetual honors student who received her medical degree from Ecuador's Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil. After a few years serving as a physician in Guayaquil, she continued her training in the U.S. at Danbury Hospital in Danbury, Connecticut, and the Harbor University of California, Los Angeles — City of Hope fellowship program.

Location

Education & Experience

Board Certifications

  • 2022, American Board of Internal Medicine — Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • 2018, Medical Board of California: Physician and Surgeon
  • 2018, ABIM 2018 Internal Medicine Certification
  • 2014, ECFMG Certificate
  • 2012, Ecuadorian National Title Registration For Healthcare Professionals

Degrees

  • 2005-2011, M.D., Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Ecuador
  • 2005, Bachelor Degree, Best graduate and National Flag bearer in Unidad Educativa Steiner Internacional

Residency

  • 2015–2018, Internal Medicine Residency, Danbury Hospital Internal Medicine Residency Program, Danbury, CT. Dr. Villacreses also rotated in Yale Endocrinology patient consultation service during her residency.

Professional Experience

  • 2020–present, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
  • 2018–2020, Endocrinology Fellow at Harbor UCLA — City of Hope, Duarte, CA
  • 2014, Internal Medicine Physician on Emergency Department at Hospital Teodoro Maldonado Carbo — Instituto Ecuatoriano de Seguridad Social, Guayauil, Ecuador
  • 2011-2012, Rural Family Medical Service, Subcentro de Salud Puerto Hondo and Puesto de Salud Puertas del Sol, Guayaquil, Ecuador

Awards & Memberships

Awards

  • 2019, Awarded with The ENDO Experience Travel Award in conjunction with ENDO 2019 in New Orleans, LA
  • 2018, 2nd place award winner for Best Case Report Poster Presentation at 32th Belsky Research Day
  • 2017, 1st place award winner for Case Report Poster Presentation at 32th Belsky Research Day
  • 2011, Graduated among the top 5 highest scores of Medical School promotion
  • 2005–2007, Academic scholarships on 1st, 2nd, 6th and 10th semesters of Medical School
  • 2005, Best Graduate, Standard-bearer of the National Flag and received Sociedad Filantrópica Award due academic excellence on High School Graduation

Memberships

  • American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists
  • American Diabetes Association
  • Endocrine Society

Publications

  • Chang V, Maria M, Lara J. Clinical tomographic relation (GCS-Marshall) with the state of the Glasgow Outcome Scale for Moderate — Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. “Hospital Luis Vernaza” July–September 2010. Published in Revista Médica de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de la UCSG, Vol 17 N1, Guayaquil — Ecuador, 2011-2012. ISSN 1390-0218.

Ratings & Reviews

Ratings and reviews below are gathered from the Press Ganey Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CG CAHPS) survey. CG CAHPS is a standardized survey that is used to measure a patient's experience in the physician office setting. Ratings are an average of all responses to questions about a provider's care, with five stars being the highest.
4.9
Recommend this provider office
4.9
Provider explain in way you understand
4.9
Provider listen carefully to you
4.9
Know important info medical history
4.9
Show respect for what you say
4.9
Spend enough time with you
4.9
Rate provider 0-10
04/22/26
Good experience - Verified patient
04/22/26
Good experience - Verified patient
04/18/26
Dr. Chang is very thorough and reviews in detail the all blood tests to help me understand and manage my type 1 diabetes condition. - Verified patient
04/17/26
The best physician I have ever seen. [...] - Verified patient
04/16/26
She's a very nice person. - Verified patient