November 2009
The future of cancer care has opened its doors
Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven — the most comprehensive cancer care facility in New England — opened in October, bringing together Yale-New Haven Hospital’s and Yale School of Medicine's oncology patient services in one building specifically designed for cancer care. The new 14-story, 500,000-square-foot facility includes 168 inpatient beds, outpatient treatment rooms, the most modern operating rooms anywhere, infusion suites, diagnostic imaging services, a specialized women's cancer center, as well as a floor for diagnostic radiology and radiation oncology. Smilow Cancer Hospital is affiliated with Yale Cancer Center - southern New England's only comprehensive cancer center designated by the National Cancer Institute, and one of only 40 in the United States. 
H1N1 flu update
The H1N1 flu can cause a wide range of symptoms, such as fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. People with H1N1 may also have vomiting and diarrhea. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 may vary in severity from mild to severe. People with chronic medical conditions might be at greater risk for developing a severe illness from swine flu infection. Everyone can play a role in minimizing the spread of this infectious disease by following these rules: wash your hands, cover your cough or sneeze, and stay home if you are sick.
If you get sick with flu-like symptoms, stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care. If you get sick with flu-like symptoms and are at high risk of flu complications or you are concerned about your illness, call your health care provider for advice. If you go to the emergency room and you are not sick with the flu, you may catch it from people who do have it. For more information, visit the H1N1 page maintained by the Yale New Haven Health Center for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response.
Fall health lectures at Shoreline Medical Center
Yale-New Haven Shoreline Medical Center in Guilford is offering several free lectures this fall for adults. Register online or call 203.688.2000 or toll-free, 888.700.6543 and press option "2."
- Tuesday, Nov. 10 — Why do Non-Smokers Get Cancer? presented by Daniel Boffa, MD, from 6:30-8 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 17 — Get the Skinny on Fats: Cholesterol and My Heart presented by Ellen Liskov, RD, MPH, from 6:30-8 p.m.
Cancer costs lecture on Nov. 10
Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven and Yale Cancer Center will host a free health talk, "The Cost of Cancer" in Yale-New Haven Hospital's East Pavilion cafeteria on Wednesday, November 10. Presented by Kathy Walsh and Cheryl Vann, the evening will start with a light supper at 6 p.m. and the lecture begins at 6:30 p.m. Register online or call 203.688.2000 or toll-free, 888.700.6543 and press option "2."
Yale-New Haven among the 100 best places to work in healthcare
Modern Healthcare magazine has named Yale-New Haven Hospital among the 100 best places to work in healthcare. Yale-New Haven is the only Connecticut hospital recognized by the magazine in its second annual survey of 317 U.S. healthcare companies. Modern Healthcare determined its Best Places to Work in Healthcare through a survey of employers detailing company policies, practices, benefits and demographics.
Health and wellness lectures in Hamden
Yale-New Haven Hospital’s Temple Radiology office in the Hamden Professional Building at 2560 Dixwell Ave. is offering several free health and wellness lectures this fall for the general public. Register online or call 203.688.2000 or toll-free, 888.700.6543 and press option "2."
- Thursday, Nov. 12 — Suffer from Barrett's Esophagus? A New Treatment Technique: Radiofrequency Ablation presented by David Wolfsohn, MD, from 6:30-8 p.m.
"The Heart of a Woman" lecture on Nov. 12
The Yale-New Haven Hospital Auxiliary continues its 2009 fall health education lecture series with "The Heart of a Woman" on Thursday, Nov. 12. Join John Elefteriades, MD, chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Yale-New Haven Hospital, from 6-8 p.m. at the hospital’s Institute for Excellence, located at 300 George Street in New Haven where he will also read excerpts of his book The Woman’s Heart: An Owner’s Guide and his newest publication, Transplant, a medical mystery novel. Register online or call 203.688.2000 or toll-free, 888.700.6543 and press option "2."
Healthcare and research alliance formed with University College London
Recognizing their shared aspirations for the advancement of biomedical research and healthcare for people around the world, Yale-New Haven Hospital, Yale University and University College London (UCL) and its associated hospitals have signed an agreement that makes them allies in a global effort to improve the human condition through translational medicine. The Yale-UCL alliance will provide opportunities for high-level scientific research, clinical and educational collaboration.
Children’s heart health lecture on Nov. 19
The Yale-New Haven Hospital Auxiliary wraps up its 2009 fall health education lecture series with "Watching Over Young Hearts" on Thursday, Nov. 19. Join Alan H. Friedman, MD, chief of pediatric cardiology at Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital, from 6-8 p.m. at the Hamden Professional Center, located at 2560 Dixwell Avenue in Hamden for the last lecture in the series. Register online or call 203.688.2000 or toll-free, 888.700.6543 and press option "2."
Pediatrics he@lthLINK: Children among those most at risk for complications from the H1N1 virus
Like seasonal flu, H1N1 may vary in severity from mild to severe, and include a wide range of symptoms; fever, cough, sore throat, body ache, headache, nausea, chills and fatigue. 
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the H1N1 virus poses a particular risk to children, and those with high-risk medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes or neurological problems, who are at increased risk of flu-related complications. Read the latest issue of Pediatrics he@lthLINK to learn more about the simple steps recommended by Karen Santucci, MD, that helps kids ward off flu.
Subscribe to he@lthLINK
Stay up-to-date on the latest medical news with a subscription to he@lthLINK — an online publication provided by Yale-New Haven Hospital. Fill out this form to subscribe, and select from a variety of topics, including cancer, cardiac, mental health, neurology, pediatrics and women’s health. Yale-New Haven may also notify you of new services or treatments related to your areas of interest, along with events, seminars, support groups or other opportunities in which you might be interested.
Billing questions?
Yale-New Haven Hospital offers financial counseling to patients and families. Spanish-speaking counselors are available. Additionally, evening sessions are scheduled once a month — the next two are Monday, Nov. 16 and Monday, Dec. 21 from 5-7 p.m.. To make an appointment with a financial counselor, call 203.688.2046.