Smilow Cancer Hospital

08/15/2025

Frank Zimber is preparing for his sixth Closer to Free Ride this September. He first joined the in honor of his niece, who was diagnosed with leukemia. Since then, he’s continued to ride to honor loved ones and to give back to the hospital that has cared for so many of his friends and family.

Frank Zimber from East Berlin is getting ready for his sixth Closer to Free Ride with Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven Health. “Doing everything for it and raising as much money as I can to help as many people as I can is the goal,” Zimber said. Zimber was inspired to begin riding after ...

08/14/2025

Congratulations to Zhe (Jay) Chen, PhD, on his election as a Fellow of the American Society for Radiation Oncology. The ASTRO Fellows program recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the society and to the field of radiation oncology through research, education, patient care, and service to the field. Chen will be formally recognized at an awards ceremony this fall during ASTRO’s 67th Annual Meeting.

https://www.yalecancercenter.org/news-article/zhe-jay-chen-phd-elected-a-fellow-of-astro/

08/13/2025

“This was my final oncology appointment after 10 years. Bittersweet because while I'm so glad to be done, the care and support has been outstanding.”

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.

08/12/2025

Our patients really do become like family. We’ve shared many examples of how Smilow team members have gone above a beyond for a patient and share those stories because we’re proud that our staff cares.

Recently, nurses, medical assistants, social work, check-in/check-out staff, and valet workers from Smilow Cancer Hospital at Guilford location came together in support of a patient of theirs admitted for inpatient care. They gathered for a photo to send encouragement, along with an early birthday cupcake, and a card to show they cared.

“This goes to show the relationships patients build with those in so many different roles within Smilow,” said Halley Robinson, LCSW. “The work we do is hard, but we’re so often able to find the rewarding moments, like this.”

08/11/2025

“Dr. Kahn saved my life from a Stage III breast cancer diagnosis. She has been with me for my journey over the last 15 months, and has always shown the most sympathetic approach, making sure to put everything into terms my husband and I could understand. Her nurses go above and beyond for their patients EVERY TIME I see them. My messages to MyChart are turned around with an amazing amount of speed and accuracy. How do I thank a team that saved my life... there really are no words other than ‘Thank You!’”

Adriana Kahn, MD, is a medical oncologist who specializes in the care of patients with breast cancer. Please visit her physician profile to learn more: https://www.yalecancercenter.org/profile/adriana-kahn/.

08/10/2025

This week we celebrate Kathy Tonucci and Jordan Kaine, charge nurses at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Torrington, as our . Exemplifying the high standards of nursing leadership, Kathy and Jordan ensure all patients receive exceptional care, while also maintaining clinical excellence, regulatory readiness, and strong team coordination.

Their morning safety huddles are highly regarded, with all team members having a voice at the table. Their adaptability, humor, and dedication to both patients and colleagues make them an essential part of our success. We’re so happy to have Kathy and Jordan as part of the Smilow family!

08/10/2025

David Rimm, MD, PhD, Anthony N. Brady Professor of Pathology and Professor of Medicine (Medical Oncology and Hematology), joins Eric Winer, MD, on Yale Cancer Answers at 7:30pm to discuss recent pathology-driven breakthroughs, advances in personalized medicine for breast cancer, and the latest developments from the Rimm Lab.

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

08/10/2025

Blood clots may be more common in patients with underlying risk factors, but they can happen to anyone. Learning to recognize the warning signs can help patients get treatment faster.

A blood clot occurs when a clump of blood changes from a liquid to gel or solid state.

“It’s a normal process that would help us stop bleeding when we’re injured, for example, but they can also occur when they’re not needed,” said Kelsey Martin, MD, a hematologist and oncologist who cares for patients at Smilow Cancer Hospital and assistant professor in Hematology at Yale School of Medicine.

When clots form inside blood vessels, they can potentially block blood flow and become dangerous or life threatening.
There are two main types of blood clots that form in veins. Deep vein thrombosis usually occurs in a leg or sometimes arm. A pulmonary embolism is a clot that travels to the lungs.

http://ynh.care/PM

08/09/2025

Team Pi-42 is riding in Greg’s honor in their third Closer to Free Ride, supporting cancer research and patient support at Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital – where Greg was treated twice for colorectal cancer. Thanks to Smilow, his family was given the gift of time and an opportunity to create memories for which they are so grateful.

https://bit.ly/44B3e4E

“We were friends first, we had worked together and then, you just know,” said Lisa Osborne of her husband Greg. “I don’t know, something switched.” Osborne and her girls sat down at Smilow Cancer Hospital, a place they know well, to share memories of their dad and husband. He was treated a...

08/08/2025

Congratulations to Shari Bodofsky, MD, resident in the Department of Therapeutic Radiology at Yale School of Medicine, and an accomplished medical illustrator. Dr. Bodofsky’s artwork was selected for publication on the cover of The International Journal of Radiation Oncology-Biology-Physics.

In addition to her clinical training, Dr. Bodofsky uses illustration to help patients better understand what to expect during radiation therapy. She will be presenting this work at the upcoming ASTRO 2026 Annual Meeting.

A wonderful example of how science, medicine, and art can come together to enhance patient care and communication!

08/07/2025

Congratulations to all of our 2025 Susan D. Flynn Oncology Nursing Fellows on the completion of their summer fellowships!

The Fellows completed 8-week rotations featuring a comprehensive clinical experience in oncology nursing, plus exposure to best practices and expert training in compassionate care, including palliative care. Direct observational and learning experiences included exposure to ambulatory oncology nursing, acute care medical and surgical oncology nursing, infusion services, and more.

Of the more than 200 Flynn Fellows who have graduated into the workforce to date, more than two-thirds have taken positions as oncology nurses.

08/06/2025

“Everything at Smilow in Derby is awesome: from registration to wait time, to all the people involved in all areas of care, to scheduling new appointments at the end of the visit. I could not possibly ask for anything better!”

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.