Smilow Cancer Hospital At Yale-New Haven Celebrates Formal Dedication

NEW HAVEN — Yale-New Haven Hospital (YNHH) officially dedicated Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven this week, opening the most comprehensive cancer care facility in New England. The first patients were cared for in the new 14-story, 500,000-square-foot cancer hospital in its radiation oncology center on October 26, with other cancer care services opening over the course of the next five months. 

“Patients who are diagnosed with cancer face so many challenges. We believe that the way in which this building was planned and constructed will help to relieve some of the burdens these patients have to carry,” said Marna P. Borgstrom, president and CEO, Yale-New Haven Hospital. “Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven will be a place where people who have cancer will benefit from the latest research breakthroughs and will be cared for and cared about.”

Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven was made possible by the major gift from philanthropist Joel E. Smilow, the former chair, chief executive officer, and president of Playtex Products, Inc.

Mr Smilow is one of Yale University’s most generous benefactors. An alumnus of Yale University, he has also provided major support for Yale athletics, endowing six varsity coaching positions and contributed the naming funds for renovation and expansion of the Yale Field Center. The university awarded Mr Smilow the Yale Medal in 1993 in recognition of his many volunteer activities for his alma mater. Mr Smilow served as chairman of Yale 1954 (1999–2004) which established new records for 50th reunion giving and attendance.

“Great facilities like this new hospital,” said Mr Smilow, “help you attract and motivate outstanding people and make it easier for them to interrelate with one another. That’s where the longer-term payoff comes. The immediate benefits — providing a better place for healing and helping tens of thousands of victims of cancer — are obvious. We can only dream about the day when the building isn’t needed because we’ve found a cure for cancer.”

Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven brings together all of the hospital’s and Yale School of Medicine’s oncology patient services in one building specifically designed for cancer care.

The 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 including the Yale-New Haven Breast Center and the Gynecology/Oncology Center, as well as a floor for diagnostic radiology and radiation oncology.

“Yale School of Medicine is delighted to partner with Yale-New Haven Hospital in this wonderful facility that will allow us to provide the very best clinical care and service to our patients while we continue to advance the treatments available,” said Robert J. Alpern, MD, dean of Yale School of Medicine and Ensign Professor of Medicine.

Ground was broken for the Smilow Cancer Hospital on September 6, 2006. It 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.