Smilow Cancer Hospital

02/04/2026

“I love Smilow Orange. They provide the best blood drawing skills and infusion therapy. They are concerned about my allergies and accommodate me appropriately. They are also very kind to my Dad who comes with me for my infusion treatments. Smilow Orange has the best skilled nurses and compassionate, and caring staff who provide care in a timely and skillful manner. I would not go anywhere else.”

Our Quality and Patient Safety team reads every comment submitted by our patients. The full patient experience is critically important to us, and we love to hear how our staff earns your trust and exhibits consideration to those in our care from arrival to departure.

02/03/2026

This week, we highlight Alex Dormal, MSN, RN, as our . Alex is a true star in every sense of the word. As program manager for Cellular Therapy, Stem Cell Transplant, and Hematology Oncology, she is a nursing leader whose impact is both profound and inspiring. With a strong foundation in nursing and clinical research, Alex blends deep clinical expertise with strategic insight, allowing her to guide highly complex programs with clarity, precision, and compassion. Her leadership not only keeps these intricate services running seamlessly, but she continuously innovates to elevate the quality of care and the experience of both patients and staff.

What truly sets Alex apart is her unwavering commitment to keeping the patient at the center of every decision. She leads with empathy, excellence, and a hands-on spirit—never hesitating to step in and support any role within her areas when needed. Whether she’s mentoring nurses, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, or troubleshooting operational challenges, Alex brings a calm steadiness and a solutions‑driven mindset that inspires confidence in everyone around her. Her leadership doesn’t just strengthen the programs she oversees; it elevates the entire care environment.

Thank you, Alex!

02/02/2026

Congratulations to Peter M. Glazer, MD, PhD (left), and Luisa Escobar-Hoyos, MSc, PhD (center), recipients of Yale Cancer Center's 2026 Translational Research Award. Drs. Glazer and Escobar-Hoyos were recognized for groundbreaking research featured in Science Translational Medicine on the "Systemic administration of an RNA-binding and cell-penetrating antibody targets therapeutic RNA to multiple mouse models of cancer.” The award was presented by Barbara Burtness, MD (right).

Yale Cancer Center's Annual Awards Program celebrates accomplishments at Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital and recognizes the outstanding individual achievements of our researchers and clinicians.

02/01/2026

Taking between 5,000 and 9,000 steps per day is associated with a lower risk of developing 13 different types of cancer, according to a new study. Exercise, such as walking, might lower cancer risk through changes in inflammation, metabolism, and immune function, explained Melinda Irwin, PhD, MPH, who tells Prevention Magazine, “These biomarkers [of inflammation] have been shown to increase cancer risk, and some trials have found a reduction in these biomarkers with exercise.”

Walking a bit more can make a big difference.

01/31/2026

When it comes to screening for lung cancer, Roy Herbst, MD, PhD, tells TIME, 'There’s no question that “screening definitely saves lives, and finding it early makes a difference.”

Research shows that less than 20% of eligible people are getting screened. While lung cancer screening requires a two-step process and is not as simple as getting an order for a mammogram or a colonoscopy, experts insist the survival benefit to screening is significant: the five-year survival rate for Stage IA lung cancer is nearly 90%, compared to 20% for Stage III.

Some experts are calling for universal lung cancer screening.

01/30/2026

This week, we celebrate Huixiao Chen, PhD, as our . A Medical Physicist in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Yale New Haven Hospital, Huixiao exceeds expectations and is recognized by her team for her dedication to our patients.

Huixiao continues to go 'above and beyond' through her clinical service to Smilow since the installation of our novel RefleXion PET/CT linear accelerator in April 2023. She has played an integral role in developing this cutting-edge technology in collaboration with our Yale physicians, Smilow team members, and the broader scientific community. Even more noteworthy, she has tirelessly dedicated her late evenings and weekends to supporting the clinical operation of our department to ensure this innovative treatment option is available for our patients.

We are grateful to Huixiao for her time, effort, collaborative approach, and dedication to Smilow’s mission.

01/29/2026

As a young mother of three, Megan knew she wanted to take on her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment with a personalized approach, which is why she came to Smilow Cancer Hospital. With a multidisciplinary team of leading cancer experts and access to cutting-edge clinical trials through Yale Cancer Center, she received care customized to her unique needs. Watch her inspiring story, http://ynh.care/16R.

01/29/2026

“I utilize MyChart which is an outstanding patient portal for all pre- and post-visit messages, test results, billing, etc. Test results are posted usually same day, ease of all functions is excellent, and it is my preference for all correspondence as I am partially voice impaired.”

Our Quality and Patient Safety team reads every comment submitted by our patients and uses them to improve and meet the needs of those in our care. We appreciate everyone that takes a few extra minutes to leave feedback.

01/28/2026

“Dr. Boffa is absolutely amazing. He listened, understood my concerns, was kind, thorough, friendly, helpful and informative. He made me feel better about my upcoming surgery. I feel I am in very good hands. I would highly recommend him.”

Dr. Daniel Boffa is a thoracic surgeon who cares for patients with esophageal and lung cancers at Smilow Cancer Hospital in New Haven. Learn more about Dr. Boffa: https://medicine.yale.edu/cancer/profile/daniel-boffa/.

01/27/2026

Happy New Year from Dr. Veda Giri and the Smilow Cancer Genetics and Prevention Program team who recently got together to celebrate!

01/25/2026

Tonight at 7:30pm on Yale Cancer Answers, William Oh, MD, joins to discuss precision medicine⏤ when a tumor is sequenced to help match patients with treatments that are most likely to be effective.

Listen live on Connecticut Public, through Apple Podcasts, or later on YouTube.

01/25/2026

All Smilow Cancer Hospital outpatient clinics, infusion services, and radiation oncology services will open at 11am on Monday, January 26. If your appointment is impacted, you will be contacted directly. Please check MyChart for the latest information before traveling to a Smilow location.

https://mychart.ynhhs.org/MyChart-PRD/Authentication/Login?