Smilow Cancer Hospital

09/28/2025

Donna Watkins, registered nurse on Smilow’s NP7, is this week’s . Donna always puts patients and their families first, going above and beyond for them every day. She visits when they are admitted and calls when they are sick. She is equally as caring toward her colleagues and does not hesitate to step in to help, ensuring smooth and safe patient care.

Recently, Donna stepped in to room and monitor her patients all day, in addition to her own responsibilities, providing each patient with high-level, personalized care. Dr. Francine Foss commented how it was the best day she had in her clinic. Because Donna knows all the patients so well, she was able to provide meaningful information to Dr. Foss, allowing for clinic to flow smoothly.

09/28/2025

Nikolai Podoltsev, MD, PhD, joins Yale Cancer Answers tonight for a discussion on leukemia in recognition of . Dr. Podoltsev specializes in the care of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia, as well as chronic myeloid leukemia.

Listen live on Connecticut Public or download our podcast from Apple Podcasts.

09/27/2025

We are so thrilled to announce that Smilow Cancer Hospital was the recent recipient of a $50,000 grant from the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and Connecticut Sun. Senior Development Officer, Martha Palmer, and Paul Mounds, Jr., vice president, Community, Corporate & Government Relations for Yale New Haven Hospital, were on hand for the check presentation.

The grant will be dedicated towards transportation and lodging assistance—two areas that represent a constant and pressing need for our patients and their families.

We are grateful to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and the Connecticut Sun for their generosity!

09/26/2025

“Evidence continues to show that screening earlier in life [for prostate cancer] has the maximum benefit. Current guidelines recommend beginning around age 50 to screen with a PSA test.”

Watch more of Dr. Michael Leapman’s interview with WTNH News 8 below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-CfWG3xOOU

In today’s health headlines, September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month- a time to bring attention to one of the most common cancers in men, but with early...

09/25/2025

Elena Ratner, MD, MBA, tells WTNH News 8 that while early detection and treatments for ovarian cancer are improving, preventing cancer by knowing your family history and undergoing genetic testing is so critical – and now more affordable.

Watch: https://www.wtnh.com/news/health/september-is-ovarian-cancer-awareness-month-3/

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on a disease that’s often called the “silent killer” because its symptoms can be so …

09/24/2025

Our Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) team was excited to host a table in the Health & Wellness Village at New Haven Pride. Yale Neighborhood Health Project coordinated the Health & Wellness Village and we were happy to work with them and meet all of the attendees that visited the village!

09/23/2025

Thank you to Hyundai Hope On Wheels for graciously presenting Yale with $500,000 to support childhood cancer research led by Juan Vasquez, MD, and the HEROS program, led by Rozalyn Levine Rodwin, MD. Hyundai officials Mark Delaney, regional merchandising manager, and Jeffrey Brandfon of Brandfon Hyundai, joined Dr. Vasquez and Dr. Rodwin in the Healing Garden at Smilow for the ceremony.

After the ceremony was complete, the real fun began! Patients Jerome, 13, from New Haven, and Dugan, 11, of Shelton, each had a hand painted, and with big smiles, they both got to slap their painted palms on the white coats of Drs. Vasquez and Rodwin.

“Just like every journey of children and families facing cancer, each handprint is unique and each one has its own story to share,” says Mark Delaney of Hyundai.

https://www.yalecancercenter.org/cancer/news-article/hyundai-hope-on-wheels-funds-childhood-cancer-research-and-patient-care-at-yale/

09/22/2025

“Understanding Breast Health: Screening, Genetics, and Prevention” is the first of three new Smilow Shares webinars as part of .

❤Learn more about breast screening options and guidelines, 🧬 how your family health history can impact your own care, and 🩺how to stay on top of your breast health. Register today and join us online, Thursday, October 2 at 6pm.

➡️ https://bit.ly/4gtxyCy

09/21/2025

This week we recognize Sara Lantowski, RN, from Smilow Cancer Hospital at Trumbull, as our . Sara was recently recognized for the outstanding compassion and care she provided to a patient in their final stages of life. A friend of the patient wrote to share how Sara’s dedication and empathy made a profound impact.

She shared, “In a time that is often marked by uncertainty and emotional difficulty, Sara’s professionalism and heartfelt approach stood out as a beacon of hope and humanity. Her ability to provide both clinical excellence and emotional support exemplifies the very best of nursing practice and reflects the values we strive to uphold at Smilow.

Please consider this a formal recognition of Sara Lantowski’s outstanding contribution to patient care. Her work deserves to be celebrated and shared as an example of the compassionate culture we foster within our institution.”

Thank you, Sara, for being an exemplary nurse for our patients, and for representing the best of Smilow.

09/21/2025

Tonight at 7:30pm, Raghav Sundar, MD, joins Yale Cancer Answers to discuss breakthroughs and innovative treatments in gastrointestinal cancers. Tune in and learn more about Dr. Sundar’s journey from Singapore to Yale.

Listen live on Connecticut Public or download our podcast from Apple Podcasts.

09/20/2025

Kathleen Fenn, MD, recently joined WTNH News 8 to discuss and the treatment options available for these cancers.

New Haven Conn. (WTNH) – “CT BUZZ” Reporter Jillian Andrews recently spoke with Kathleen Fenn, MD, Medical Oncologist, Smilow Cancer Hospital at Trumbull, about Gynecological Cancers. These cancers…

09/19/2025

We are delighted to share that Daniel M. Koenigsberg, MD, has provided a $1 million gift that will establish an endowment for pancreatic cancer research at Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital. The fund will enhance multiple initiatives, including seed grants for pilot projects, the establishment of a fellowship in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, the creation of a biorepository for tissue samples, and the Dr. Daniel and Susan Koenigsberg Pancreatic Cancer Research Lecture series.

Dr. Koenigsberg’s generosity was inspired by the excellent level of patient care his wife received while being treated for pancreatic cancer at Smilow. “At Smilow, she was treated with dignity and respect,” Koenigsberg recalls. “The staff’s commitment to personal care was so evident and vital during such a difficult period. This customer-oriented philosophy clearly came from the top of the organization.”

https://www.yalecancercenter.org/news-article/yale-cancer-center-smilow-cancer-hospital-receive-million-dollar-gift-from-donor-compassionate-patient-care/