Departments
Internal 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 annuallySports Cardiology Program
Sometimes, an athlete—seemingly in peak physical condition—experiences sudden cardiac arrest on the playing field due to an undiagnosed heart condition. Yale Medicine’s Sports Cardiology Program is dedicated to preventing such tragedies through comprehensive screening, evaluation, and management of cardiovascular disease in athletes. The Sports Cardiology Program brings a multidisciplinary approach to the identification and treatment of potentially life-threatening cardiac abnormalities in athletes. The program provides two distinct services: Pre-participation screening of college and university athletes to detect any potential abnormalities before they compete Consultation and care for athletes of any age who either have known cardiovascular disease or who have symptoms that could be related to cardiovascular disease Yale Medicine specialists begin with an electrocardiogram (ECG), which records the electrical activity of the heart, to check for a variety of cardiac conditions. When screening college and university athletes, Yale experts interpret the ECG, offer recommendations for follow-up care, if needed, and work closely with the school to monitor and advise the athlete going forward. Yale physicians have been performing ECG screenings for Yale University athletes since 2015. With the launch of the Sports Cardiology Program, Yale Medicine is now performing screenings for athletes at three local universities, as well as the Connecticut Whale women’s professional hockey team. In addition to a pre-participation screening of college athletes, the Sports Cardiology Program provides ongoing clinical care for athletes of any age (including children) who have a known cardiac condition or symptoms that may indicate cardiac abnormalities, such as passing out or palpitations. In both cases, the goal is to develop an effective diagnosis, treatment, and management strategy for the athlete and provide recommendations on whether and how the athlete can safely participate in competitive sports. The foundation of Yale Medicine’s program is its multidisciplinary approach to these issues. A team of experts from many specialty areas works together to provide comprehensive, integrated services and holistic care for athletes. The program’s director, Rachel Lampert, MD , is a sports cardiologist, electrophysiologist, and arrhythmia specialist who frequently writes and speaks on preventing sudden cardiac arrest in athletes. Dr. Lampert has conducted extensive research in this area, including studies on whether athletes with implanted defibrillators can safely participate in sports. The Sports Cardiology Program also features imaging teams that use highly specialized diagnostic tools such as cardiac MRIs and echocardiography. The team also includes experts in adult and pediatric arrhythmia, cardiac channelopathies, cardiomyopathy, genetic cardiovascular diseases, and more. In addition, Dr. Lampert and her team frequently partner with Yale’s Sports Medicine ProGeneral Internal Medicine
The physicians in our General Internal Medicine section are national leaders in their fields, and provide dedicated, comprehensive patient care in both inpatient and outpatient settings at several sites across Connecticut: At Yale Internal Medicine Associates in New Haven, we provide state-of-the-art general medical care for adults. At the New Haven Primary Care Consortium (NHPCC), located at 150 Sargent Drive in New Haven, CT, we provide comprehensive primary care, as well as specialized programs in traveling health, rheumatology, dermatology, podiatry, mental health, and addiction medicine. The Occupational and Environmental Medicine clinic focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases due to chemical, biological, and physical hazards in the workplace and environment. The Primary Care Center located at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System in West Haven is also a major clinical and teaching site, and provides specialized Women’s Health and stroke care. The Medicine-Pediatric Clinic is located at St. Mary’s Hospital, 133 Scovill Street, in Waterbury. The Yale Addiction Medicine Consult Services provide hospital-based addiction assessment and treatment to patients who are hospitalized at Yale New Haven Hospital. Specialized programs in dermatology, mental health, rheumatology, and health care for travelers Medical forensic exams for individuals with claims of torture who are seeking asylum in the U.S. Specialized program for the treatment of substance use disorders We are also involved in community outreach and service programs that expand the reach of our research and clinical programs. Our research programs in such areas as substance abuse, occupational medicine, and chronic disease management provide our patients in the community with a variety of opportunities to access care and improve their health. Many of our faculty members are graduates of the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program.Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Program
Interstitial lung diseases (ILD) are difficult to diagnose and treat. At Yale, we have the expertise and experience needed to treat all forms of ILD, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), interstitial lung diseases associated with autoimmune disorders, occupational lung disease, and sarcoidosis. Our program, led by pulmonologists, is an internationally recognized center of excellence. Our team can offer patients expertise and support in multiple areas, including treatment of complex lung diseases, the opportunity to participate in clinical and translational studies, and the chance to receive experimental therapy. We also work tirelessly to conduct research into the causes and potential cures for ILD and participate in the education and support of patients, providers, and caregivers. Through our multidisciplinary program, our pulmonologists with expertise in ILD collaborate with specialty-trained pulmonary pathologists, chest radiologists, rheumatologists, and occupational medicine physicians. As members of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Clinical Care Network and through Yale’s work with the Scleroderma Foundation, we collaborate with physicians across the country to provide outstanding care to patients with all forms of ILD with a special focus on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and Scleroderma-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). We will formulate a treatment plan based on the specific diagnosis, medical issues, and preferences. We will also keep patients’ referring and primary care doctors informed of our recommendations. We also offer strong support from the pulmonary fibrosis community at the local and national level. Locally, we conduct periodic support groups for patients with IPF and scleroderma.Infectious Diseases
Yale Infectious Diseases cares for ambulatory and hospitalized patients with every variety of infectious disease. Specialized services are offered in such areas as traveler’s health, tick-borne diseases, HIV, and related disorders. Research explores such areas as Lyme disease, West Nile and Zika virus, microbial pathogenesis, pneumonia and UTI in older adults, HIV, meningitis, malaria and international health, and nosocomial infections. We are both consultants, working hand-in-hand with referring physicians or groups, and principal caregivers for our patients. Our care is multidisciplinary, involving skilled nurses, dietitians, social workers, and other physicians to deliver the best care possible. Specialized care is offered in the following areas: Hospital-acquired infection control and management Central nervous system infections Fungal infections Hospital epidemiology Traveler's medicine/international health HIV/AIDS Care Lyme disease and tick-borne illnesses Expertise in treating infections in solid organ and stem cell transplants Comprehensive AIDS care and prevention services for people living with and at risk for HIV Multiple observational studies and clinical trial expertise in the study of HIV, HCV, immunology of aging, pneumonia, pseudomonas, tuberculosis (including MDR), urinary tract infections, and tick- and mosquito-borne diseasesCardiovascular Medicine
At Yale Medicine, our cardiovascular physicians specialize in all types of heart conditions. Our expert teams focus on heart-related health issues, such as heart disease genetics, heart rhythm problems, heart failure, heart and blood vessel conditions, and heart transplants. Our cardiologists do more than just see patients; they also conduct research to learn more about the complexities of various heart diseases and investigate better ways to treat them. Through their work in five research centers at Yale our cardiologists participate in major research initiatives focused on all aspects of heart health. Our research teams are comprised of experts from all over the world—eight different countries and four continents, to be exact! Specialized care is offered in the following areas: Adult congenital heart disease Arrhythmia Cardiac imaging Cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure Coronary heart disease General cardiology (including stress tests and holter monitoring) Peripheral vascular heart disease Vascular heart diseaseScleroderma Program
Scleroderma (or systemic sclerosis) is a complex disease which results in chronic hardening and tightening of connective tissues, and patients can experience many different symptoms involving different organs. Our multidisciplinary team of doctors and nurses with expertise and an interest in scleroderma, including specialists in rheumatology, allergy and clinical immunology, pulmonary and critical care, cardiology, gastroenterology, nephrology, and dermatology, provide care for patients. The team provides coordinated, multidisciplinary, and compassionate care for patients and all the parts of the body scleroderma affects, including the skin, lung, heart, kidneys, and gastrointestinal system. We also address functional, nutritional, psychological, gynecological, urological, and/or sexual health challenges. The goal is improved quality of life for our patients. We strive to ease the burden on patients and their families. Support staff help patients gather outside medical records and coordinate appointments with different specialists at Yale so that patients can get all their relevant medical care in one place. Doctors readily communicate about the plan of care through the electronic health record. We also actively participate in clinical research, to bring the most innovative treatments for the disease to our patients. Yale has been designated as a Scleroderma Center by the Scleroderma Foundation.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 gastrectomyPediatrics
Our uncompromising faculty and staff are dedicated to the welfare of children and adolescents. One of two major pediatric centers in Connecticut, Yale offers an extensive range of services for patients through our 14 specialties. In addition, we have several interdisciplinary centers and programs that involve collaborations with multiple departments throughout Yale Medicine and Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital. Thanks to our reputation for comprehensive pediatric care, we serve as a regional and national center for referral and consultation. Many of our physicians are internationally recognized for their innovative approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of conditions including arrhythmias, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, childhood cancers, juvenile diabetes, dyslexia, blood disorders, infectious diseases, and complications of premature birth, as well as many other disorders. We are leaders in the global pediatric community, advocates for childhood health and development, and innovators in research. We rank among the top pediatric centers in the country with respect to National Institutes of Health support for research. Neonatal and pediatric ICUs that serve our most vulnerable patients with the highest level of care 24/7 subspecialty telephone consultation service for primary care clinicians with expected response time of three minutes More than 20 years of experience with neonatal and pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, a sophisticated machine that acts as an artificial heart and lungs, crucial for some seriously ill infants One-call center that provides centralized appointment scheduling for all pediatric specialties Close collaboration with other Yale departments to provide such services as molecular and genetic diagnostic services, state-of-the art management of high-risk fetuses and newborns, bone marrow transplantation, and management of complex malignanciesWinchester Center for Lung Disease
We offer state-of-the-art evaluation and treatment for patients with a wide range of lung disorders, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, lung cancer, and undiagnosed or general respiratory problems. Many patients come to us with work-related pulmonary disease or with sleep disorders. They might not have a diagnosis, but have symptoms such as persistent or nagging cough, or shortness of breath at rest or with exertion. Our skilled, experienced specialists can diagnose and take care of difficult or unusual problems. The history of our center dates back more than a century, when it was set up through a bequest from Sarah Winchester in memory of her husband, William Wirt Winchester, and their young daughter, both of whom succumbed to tuberculosis. This gift resulted in the establishment of the original Winchester Hospital in West Haven, dedicated to the care of patients with tuberculosis. Today, the Winchester Center for Lung Disease at Yale New Haven Hospital is committed to the integration of cutting-edge patient care, education, and research across the full spectrum of pulmonary disorders. Our specialists are faculty members of the Yale School of Medicine Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, with national and international expertise in treating even the most challenging lung conditions. The center is continually evolving to meet changing needs. Most recently, in response to COVID-19, the center developed a Post-COVID-19 Recovery Program , which offers pulmonary-focused, multidisciplinary evaluation and care for patients recovering from COVID-19. In addition to our comprehensive general pulmonary practice, we offer the specialty center programs listed below. For more information about any of these programs, call the Winchester Center for Lung Disease at 203-495-2410. Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center Cystic fibrosis (CF) was previously thought of as a childhood disease, but is now considered a chronic disease because more adults in the U.S. are living longer with CF and maintaining good quality of life. The Adult CF Program provides team-based care for adults with CF on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. Our comprehensive program includes diagnosis, treatment, and counseling for sinus, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, liver, nutritional, endocrine, mental health, and reproductive issues. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory lung disease that blocks airflow from the lungs and makes it difficult to breathe. The COPD Program (including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma/COPD overlap syndrome) provides a personalized treatment plan for each patient to help manage their COPD. Whether patients have mild symptoms, need rehabilitation, or require assisted ventilation, we can help. Chronic Pulmonary Infection Research and Treatment (CPIRT) This program is focused on the leading innovative care and research for acuteHematology Program
The Hematology Program at Smilow Cancer Hospital offers comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of blood cancers: lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma. While the causes of these cancers remain unknown, great strides in treatment, some of which originated from Yale Cancer Center research, are improving survival rates. The overall aim of treatment is to bring about a complete remission. Treatment approaches for blood cancers may include chemotherapy, radiation oncology, stem cell or marrow transplantation, or immunotherapy. Each patient receives an individual treatment plan, which includes standard care and/or clinical trials, which offer novel treatment options. Yale hematopathologists employ the complete range of diagnostic tools available, including bone marrow examination, bone imaging, M protein analysis, cytogenetics, immunophenotyping, and FISH and PCR analysis, as well as genetic testing and the identification of markers that guide prognosis. Additionally, patients have access to caregivers who help them cope with the physical, emotional, and psychological issues related to these cancers. Advanced practice nurses and social workers assist with education, general information, and practical issues of travel and accommodation assistance. The blood cancers we are fighting: Lymphoma is the most common blood cancer, affecting 81,000 Americans each year. While its rates continue to rise, there have also been rapid advances in treatment, and the current 5-year survival rate for all people diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma is 87%. Leukemia is a malignant cancer of the bone marrow and blood, diagnosed in 60,000 Americans each year. It is the most common cancer in children and teens. The leukemia death rate for children ranging from birth to age 14 in the United States has declined 60% over the past three decades, due to treatment advances. Myeloma is a disease of the plasma cell, and affects approximately 34,000 new patients annually. Overall survival in patients with myeloma has shown improvement in recent years, with treatments recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a precursor condition that could potentially lead to cancer and should be closely evaluated and monitored. Our myeloma specialists are dedicated to the care of these patients and see them as part of a MGUS Clinic. Stem Cell Transplant The Stem Cell Transplant Program at Smilow Cancer Hospital is a FACT accredited program that was started in 1994 and currently performs around 200 transplants yearly. We perform stem cell and bone marrow transplants for a variety of malignant and benign diseases in both pediatric and adult populations. There are two types of stem cell transplantation that we perform: Autologous transplant: involves using a patient’s own stem cells, whichare collected from their blood and frozen. Allogeneic transplant: involves receiving stem cells from another person, called a donor. A search