Pulmonary Outpatient Services

Yale New Haven Hospital's Winchester Center for Lung Disease provides evaluation and treatment services to patients with tuberculosis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary vascular processes, lung cancer, cystic fibrosis and undiagnosed or general respiratory problems. 

The Thoracic Oncology Program (TOP) at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven provides evaluation and treatment to patients with thoracic malignancies such as lung cancer, esophageal cancer, thymoma or chest wall tumors. The program, a flagship multidisciplinary program of Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital, coordinates and integrates the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of patients in collaboration with cancer physicians who expertise in these types of cancer. 

The Thoracic Interventional Program is a collaboration between pulmonary medicine and thoracic surgery that provides evaluation of lung nodules or masses, mediastinal adenopathy, airway conditions and pleural disease. The team conducts comprehensive assessment and treatment through a variety of services: 

• Flexible bronchoscopy for masses, infiltrates or other appropriate conditions
• Mediastinal assessment using video-mediastinoscopy or endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)
• Rigid bronchoscopy for foreign body removal, stent placement and therapy for tracheobronchial obstruction due to cancer or benign lesions
• Whole lung lavage and bronchial thermoplasty

Lung Life Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Guiding you toward easier breathing and a better quality of life. Lung Life is a medically supervised pulmonary rehabilitation program dedicated to improving health and overall well-being. Through individualized exercise plans, education, and ongoing support, we help individuals manage respiratory conditions while improving their confidence and quality of life in daily activities.

• Asthma
• Bronchiectasis
• Chronic bronchitis
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Emphysema
• Long Covid
• Lung Cancer
• Pre and Post Lung transplant
• Pulmonary Fibrosis/Interstitial Lung Disease
• Pulmonary Hypertension
• Sarcoidosis

We also assist patients who are preparing for or recovering from lung surgery. Use of oxygen does not limit your participation.

Why choose Lung Life?

• Decrease anxiety about living with lung disease
• Gain a better understanding of your condition
• Increase strength and endurance
• Increasing energy and reducing fatigue helps improve patients’ quality of life
• Reduce symptoms and sick days

What to expect:

With a physician referral, you’ll attend small group sessions twice a week for up to 24 visits. Each session includes:

Supervised exercise sessions in our gym using a variety of equipment, while your blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels, shortness of breath, pain and breath sounds are monitored.

Individualized plans tailored to your abilities, limitations, oxygen requirements and personalized goals

Education and support from Registered Nurses, Respiratory Therapists and Exercise Physiologists to assist you with individual and group discussions on:

• Conserving energy while doing daily tasks
• Infection Prevention
• Knowing when and how to use oxygen safely
• Making healthy nutrition and exercise choices for better lung health
• Managing symptoms and developing an Action Plan
• Practicing Relaxation Techniques for physical and mental well-being
• Proper breathing techniques at rest and during activity
• Understanding your medications and proper use

Your physician will remain primarily responsible for your care and will receive regular updates on your progress.

Lung Life is open to anyone with pulmonary disease who has a physician referral. The program is coordinated by a registered nurse and a physical therapist and consists of small group sessions held twice a week for at least 18 sessions. Your physician will maintain primary responsibility for your care. We will update your physician about your progress.

Insurance and referrals

A physician referral is required to participate in Lung Life. Most insurance plans, including Medicare, typically cover Pulmonary Rehabilitation; however, coverage may vary. We recommend confirming your specific benefits with your insurance provider. Our team will supply information needed to assist you in verifying your coverage. For more information or to register, call 203-789-3995; Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm.

The Sleep Center evaluates, diagnoses and treats patients with sleep disorders and related conditions including snoring and sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, circadian and shift work-related disorders, narcolepsy, insomnia, and parasomnias such as sleep walking and talking. As  an interdisciplinary program, our physicians work closely with specialists in otolaryngology, neurology, cardiology, psychology, dentistry and bariatric surgery.

The Occupational and Environmental Lung Diseases Program is a collaborative effort involving medical specialists from pulmonary and critical care medicine, occupational and environmental medicine, and pathology. Patients with asthma, interstitial lung disease and other pulmonary disorders are evaluated to determine whether environmental and/or occupational exposures may be causing or worsening their lung diseases. Workplace and home environmental assessments may be performed by a member of our industrial hygiene team as part of the evaluation and plan for treatment. This is the only such program in the country where specific inhalation challenge testing is performed for diagnostic and research purposes. 

Learn more about Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine Clinical Research Initiatives