Departments
Pathology
Our expert pathologists are key players in all health care provided by Yale Medicine. By studying bodily fluids and tissues, we help other physicians make diagnoses. We offer highly specialized diagnostic and consultation services in all major specialty and subspecialty areas of pathology. Our subspecialists attend all regular meetings in which a number of doctors from various specialties review and discuss a patient's medical condition and treatment options.They are on call around the clock, ensuring that doctors working in oncology, surgery, transplantation, and other service areas always have access to our expert knowledge. Our internationally recognized physicians offer specialized expertise in breast, cytopathology (cell), dermatologic, endocrine, gastrointestinal and liver, gynecological, head and neck, hematologic (blood), neurologic, ophthalmologic, pediatric, kidney, soft-tissue and bone, transplant, thoracic and urologic pathology, molecular and genomic pathology, and autopsy pathology. Specialized care is offered in the following areas: Accredited PD-LI testing Autopsy Cytopathology Intraoperative frozen section and tumor triaging service Molecular diagnostics and tumor genomics profiling Pediatric pathology Support laboratories: histology, immunohistochemistry, translational pathology, and electron microscopy and quantitative immunofluorescence analysis of multiplexed tumor markers Surgical pathology with subspecialty expertise in gastrointestinal tract and liver; prostate; bladder; kidney; gynecological tract; endocrine system; head, neck, and oropharynx; bone and soft tissue; hematologic and lymphoid system; brain, muscle and eye; pulmonary system; and transplantationCentral Nervous System Radiotherapy
We use radiation therapy to treat central nervous system (CNS) tumors, and to prevent or significantly delay their recurrence. CNS tumors include both low- and high-grade gliomas, meningiomas, ependymomas, germ cell tumors, and pituitary adenomas. All of our patients, both adult and pediatric, receive individualized consultations from a radiation oncologist. Our multidisciplinary team then employs a variety of state-of-the-art technologies to pinpoint, plan, and precisely deliver radiation therapy, based on each patient’s needs. We also work in collaboration with Yale Cancer Center’s Brain Tumor Program. Our Stereotactic Radiosurgery/Gamma Knife programat the YaleGamma Knife Center is the only radiosurgery unit in Connecticut dedicated to the treatment of head and neck conditions.A technique discovered more than 50 years ago, stereotactic radiosurgery remains the most accurate way to use radiation to destroy tumors in and around the brain. In our Spine Radiosurgery Program, our goal is to provide long-lasting control of pain and local disease for patients with spinal metastases. We treat patients using radiotherapy, a noninvasive, painless technique that delivers high doses of radiation to destroy tumors within or near the spine.Cutaneous Oncology Program
We offer sophisticated approaches for the management of skin cancers, ranging from the most common to the most complicated or rare. At the heart of our program is microscopically controlled excision, known asMohs surgery, the most successful treatment to cure recurrent or other high-risk skin cancers. We have been offering the procedure since 1998, and today, our physicians perform 3,500 Mohs surgeries each year. Mohs surgery has revolutionized the treatment of such skin cancers as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and the chances of lasting, disfiguring scars are minimized. In this procedure, the cancer is removed layer by layer, and, after each step, the tissue is examined under a microscope, allowing our dermatologists to confirm that all of the cancer cells have been eliminated as the surgery progresses. This maximizes the chances of removing all of the abnormal cells while still preserving as much of the normal skin tissue as possible.Laser Surgery Program
Through laser surgery and other cutting-edge techniques, our board-certified dermatologists can help brighten and rejuvenate our patients’ skin. Our range of expertise includes removal of benign growths such as skin tags and cysts; laser treatment of facial telangiectasias; and the precise placement of fillers to enhance appearance. Laser Treatments For the treatment of broken capillaries on the face due to sun damage, aging, and rosacea, we use a pulsed dye laser to specifically target and destroy these blood vessels. This laser is also used for the treatment of port-wine stains and hemangiomas. For unwanted hair growth, we offer two types of lasers that work either in light or dark skin tones with medium- to dark-colored hair. Over a series of treatments, depending on the site, a significant reduction in hair growth is achieved. Fillers There are a variety of injectable materials that can be placed in the skin to replace volume loss that leads to an aged appearance, or to fill in crevices caused by wrinkles. Common places to use fillers include the lips, smile lines, smoker’s lines, and in the cheeks. We currently offer a range of hyaluronic acid fillers, including Juvéderm®, Restylane®, and Perlane®, which each lasts up to six months. More permanent fillers, such as Sculptra™ and Radiesse®, are also available. Prior to injection of any filler, we perform a cosmetic consultation to assess patients’ expectations and areas of concern to provide the best correction possible. Botulinum Toxin A (Botox) Our physicians are experts in facial anatomy, and perform Botulinum Toxin A injections to minimize the appearance of wrinkles that naturally occur through facial expression. The result is a softening of creases and an overall more “relaxed” appearance. These injections can also be placed on the neck and used to decrease excessive sweating in the armpits, hands, or feet.Autoimmune Skin Disease Program
The Autoimmune Skin Disease Program brings together dermatologists, dermatopathologists, rheumatologists, and scientists with expertise in the evaluation and treatment of autoimmune disorders of the skin, hair, and nails that may also affect other organs, such as joints, lungs, and kidneys. Autoimmune disorders of the skin include the following diagnoses: Systemic, cutaneous, and drug-induced lupus Morphea Scleroderma Cutaneous vasculitis Lichen planus Lichen sclerosus Dermatomyositis These conditions lead to skin rashes or other skin changes (e.g., skin thickening or pigmentary changes), which can be very problematic and are frequently life-altering. These conditions may also affect other organs in the body, which may require careful monitoring and treatment. Yale’s Autoimmune Skin Disease Program recognizes this and works with each patient to find the treatment approach that is most suited to their situation and individual goals. The program also strives to identify and evaluate new therapies for these disorders. The primary goal of the Autoimmune Skin Disease Program is to provide optimal care for each patient seen by our specialists. We take an individualized approach to each patient’s diagnosis and their goals, pairing these with the best treatment options. As a tertiary referral center, our health care providers are experienced in the recognition and management of very complex cases that have previously defied diagnosis. The program also has several active clinical trials in which interested patients may have the ability to participate, potentially providing them access to some of the latest molecular therapies undergoing evaluation for the treatment of these disorders. Patients may also have an opportunity to participate in other research projects designed to better understand the molecular pathogenesis of these diseases and their effect on patient well-being with the goal of identifying better treatments. Our team was assembled with the goal of bringing together leading dermatologists with expertise in autoimmune skin disorders and leading physicians in other specialties such as rheumatologists with expertise in systemic autoimmunity. Together, our interdisciplinary team evaluates patients and offers them comprehensive treatment plans. Physicians in the program include internationally recognized leaders in medical education on autoimmune skin disease, scientists who have deciphered the underlying immunology of these disorders, and physicians who have led the evaluation of new treatment approaches for patients with autoimmune conditions of the skin. The Yale Autoimmune Skin Disease Program also includes dedicated pharmacists with specialized training in the practical and safe use of cutting-edge dermatologic medications, including those used to treat cutaneous autoimmune disorders. The pharmacists have vast expertise in effectively coordinating insurance coverage and are another important point of contact for our patients as they naInternal Medicine
Covering every aspect of health care for adults, Internal Medicine is the largest department in the Yale School of Medicine, and the largest clinical service at Yale New Haven Hospital. We provide comprehensive and specialized services in all areas in a variety of outpatient settings as well as the Veterans Affairs (VA) Connecticut Health Care System campus in West Haven. Our culture of collaboration and research gives patients access to expert opinions from nearly 1,000 doctors, as well as opportunities to get tomorrow’s health care today through more than 100 clinical trials. Most importantly, we attend to our diverse community of patients with compassionate, thorough care. Specialized care is offered in the following areas: Allergy & clinical immunology Cardiovascular medicine Digestive diseases Endocrinology General internal medicine Geriatrics Hematology Infectious diseases Medical oncology Occupational health & environmental medicine Nephrology Pulmonology, critical care & sleep medicine Rheumatology International reputation for work in understanding function, independence, and quality of life in older persons Key research breakthroughs of the past decade that include the development of a protective Lyme bacillus disease vaccine, exploration of the underlying causes of allergic disease, and the discovery of novel inherited immunological diseases Largest interventional cardiology program in Connecticut Major referral center for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as other metabolic conditions Nationally ranked program in kidney diseases and the largest kidney transplant program in New England, with multidisciplinary care clinics One of the largest peripheral vascular programs in the country, with leadership and participation in multiple new percutaneous device trials Once of only a few motility centers in Connecticut to provide all motility procedures and services Unique medical forensic exams for individuals with claims of torture who are seeking asylum in the U.S.Dermatology
The largest center for specialty dermatology in Connecticut, Yale’s Department of Dermatology is among the oldest in the United States. Our doctors and nurses provide safe, compassionate, and innovative care to all members of our community. We offer treatment for skin conditions, all of which can interfere with quality of life. Cutting-edge therapies are often the only hope for patients with resistant dermatologic illness, which affects the whole skin surface. Our physicians are deeply rooted in research, including the exploration of new technologies such as photopheresis for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and graft-versus-host disease. Our patients often benefit from early access to new treatments and therapies discovered by researchers at Yale. Specialized clinics for organ transplant patients, photopheresis, ichthyosis, and inherited skin disease One of two centers in the state with a pigmented lesion clinic, phototherapy center, and cutaneous lymphoma clinic Cutting-edge microscopically controlled excision (Mohs technique) for recurrence of high-risk cancers Technically advanced referral center for expert diagnosis of benign and malignant skin disorders Large dermatopathology lab, which processes 75,000 patient biopsies annuallyTherapeutic Radiology
The Department of Therapeutic Radiology works closely with the Yale Cancer Center to comprehensively evaluate and treat patients in need of any form of radiation therapy. We are widely known for our innovative approach to treatment, and have extensive experience in the following specialized areas: Breast cancer radiotherapy Central nervous system radiotherapy Gastrointestinal radiotherapy Head and neck radiotherapy Pediatric radiotherapy Prostate and genitourinary cancer radiotherapy Spine radiosurgery Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and Gamma Knife® radiosurgery Thoracic radiotherapy Total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT) Our primary goal is to ensure our patients receive the right amount of radiation at the tumor site, with as little impact as possible on the surrounding healthy tissue. Our treatment planning program, also known as medical dosimetry, is focused on just that, providing a highly individualized external or internal radiation treatment course for each patient. Site of the only Gamma Knife® center in Connecticut One of the largest U.S. centers for stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) First program in Connecticut to incorporate SpaceOAR hydrogel technology in prostate radiotherapy First and only program in New England to combine SpaceOAR technology with Calypso radiofrequency tracing for precision prostate surgeryMedical Oncology
Our nationally recognized oncologists provide unparalleled cancer expertise and are leaders in both the treatment of cancers and the development of innovative treatment strategies. Our physicians are board-certified in internal medicine, oncology, and/or hematology. They provide the most inclusive and innovative diagnostic and treatment methods available. We serve as a focal point in bringing together such other disciplines as therapeutic and diagnostic radiology, pathology, and surgery. Our section is a vital component of Yale Cancer Center, the only National Cancer Institute designated center in Southern New England. We provide medical oncology services at Smilow Cancer Hospital and a number of regional sites. We operate 13 multidisciplinary clinical programs, which allow our physicians and specialists to focus their expertise on specific types of cancers. Our patient-care navigator will address each patient’s individualized needs.Surgery
Yale’s Department of Surgery is a premier center for adult and pediatric surgical treatment, providing comprehensive care for a full range of conditions and diseases. To ensure that our patients experience shorter hospital stays and less postoperative discomfort, we employ the latest technologies and surgical techniques, and perform minimally invasive surgery whenever possible. Our renowned surgeons and faculty continue to push the frontiers of surgical science through innovative treatment and leading-edge research, with the ability to offer treatment options that can be difficult to find elsewhere. More state-of-the-art surgical suites at Yale New Haven Hospital than in any other hospital in the region Collaboration with the Yale Department of Biomedical Engineering and with industry to develop 3-D bioprinting for the regeneration, repair, and replacement of human tissue and vessels Nationally recognized Center of Excellence and designated training center for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) Yale’s Endocrine Neoplasia Laboratory is an internationally renowned multidisciplinary research group in which surgeons work with endocrine geneticists to decipher the molecular genetics of endocrine tumor disease First program in Connecticut to offer three different minimally invasive bariatric surgical techniques: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, LAP-Band® surgery, and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomyDermatologic Surgery
When skin conditions must be treated with surgery, we offer patients the most comprehensive, state-of-the-art surgical techniques available, including Mohs Surgery for recurrent or high-risk skin cancers. We treat skin diseases ranging from the most common conditions, to the most complicated or rare skin cancers. Our team includes physicians, registered nurses, and other clinicians who collaborate to provide compassionate care to our patients. Our team also works closely with specialists in other departments, including plastic surgeons, ophthalmologists, head and neck surgeons, and radiation cancer experts, allowing patients to get the full benefit of a multidisciplinary approach to a range of skin conditions.Medical Dermatology
Our dermatologists are here to help improve the health and appearance of patients’ skin, and to diagnose and treat both benign and malignant skin conditions. We provide specialized care for the full spectrum of skin disorders, including acne, alopecia areata, psoriasis, inherited skin disease, and skin issues arising after organ transplant and during cancer treatment. We are one of two centers in the state with a pigmented lesion clinic, phototherapy center, and cutaneous lymphoma clinic. The clinical research efforts of our dermatologists have contributed significantly to the treatment of skin tumors such as melanomas and cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. We are actively exploring the uses of advanced technologies such as photopheresis, a therapy for life-threatening and debilitating diseases like cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and graft-versus-host disease. A large portion of the department's research is performed through two separate research entities—the Yale SPORE in Skin Cancer Center and the Spitzoid Neoplasm Repository.