Elspeth J. Hill, MD, PhD

Elspeth Hill, MBChB, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at Yale School of Medicine. She specializes in peripheral nerve and brachial plexus injury, and hand and upper limb reconstruction.

Originally from the UK, Dr. Hill obtained her medical education and foundational research training at The University of Manchester in the UK. Her interest in nerve injury and recovery led her to undertake her Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery training at Washington University in St. Louis, under the leadership of nerve surgery pioneer Dr. Susan Mackinnon. She then sought international fellowship training in Microsurgery and Extremity Reconstruction at Oxford University in the U.K. at the Nuffield Orthopedic Hospital, and Brachial Plexus, Peripheral Nerve and Microsurgery with Dr. Jayme Bertelli, a prolific nerve surgeon and scientist, in Brazil. To further broaden her skills, she returned to Washington University in St. Louis and undertook an Orthopedic Hand & Microsurgery Fellowship, before beginning her career at Yale.

Dr. Hills's surgical specialization is in the management of complex nerve injuries and paralysis, such as peripheral nerve or brachial plexus trauma. Her practice includes care for compression neuropathies such as carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, pronator syndrome, radial tunnel syndrome and thoracic outlet syndrome. She also cares for patients with upper or lower limb nerve injuries, offering reconstruction through combinations of nerve grafting, nerve transfers, tendon transfers, and joint fusions. She is a strong advocate for collaboration with other disciplines, such as neurology, physiatry, orthopedics, and pain management, to deliver bespoke and cutting-edge care for her patients.

Dr. Hill has a particular clinical and research interest in nerve regeneration and surgical outcomes after nerve transfers for patients with paralysis of the upper limb, including in tetraplegia and spinal cord injury. She has collaborated internationally on the topic and published extensively.

Dr. Hill is also a passionate educator, with a PhD in surgical education from Maastricht University, a leading European center for medical education research and innovation. She has undertaken research into surgical culture and identity, and the underrepresentation of women in surgery, which has been published and presented internationally. She has maintained international research and education collaborations during her time in the U.S., acting as a Ed.D supervisor at London South Bank University, and as a stipendiary lecturer of medicine at Harris Manchester College, Oxford University. She also engages in policy work, and participated in the Commission for Continuing Certification for the American Board of Medical Specialties (AMBS) and received a Distinguished Service Award for her contributions.