ICYMI: Stories from Internal Medicine: 2025 Highlights

In 2025, the Yale Department of Internal Medicine created and expanded its clinical programs, advanced scientific research, and built new educational opportunities, among other initiatives.

Below are some of the highlights from 2025:

On Sept. 1, Wolfram Goessling, MD, PhD, assumed the role of chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at Yale School of Medicine (YSM), chief of internal medicine at Yale New Haven Hospital, and physician-in-chief for medicine across the Yale New Haven Health System. In a Q&A, Goessling discusses why he came to Yale, his pioneering research with zebrafish, and how he hopes to include faculty, staff, and trainees in developing a vision for the department. Read the Q&A.

Two therapies can be better than one for treating some cancers, concludes a Yale study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation Insight that finds promise in pairing a drug that blocks a distinct immunosuppressive arm of the immune response with an established therapy that boosts the immune system to fight cancer. Read the full story.

A new outpatient clinic provides dedicated palliative care for people with end-stage heart failure. The clinic's multidisciplinary care team helps patients address a variety of symptoms, from shortness of breath and gastrointestinal symptoms to depression and anxiety, and supports patients with advanced care planning. Read the full story.

The AI and Innovation in Medicine Distinction Pathway (AIMDP), which launched this past year, is designed for internal medicine residents interested in engaging more deeply with this evolving field. Shaili Gupta, MBBS, MHS, associate professor of medicine (general medicine), developed a specialized curriculum aimed at preparing physicians-in-training to approach emerging technologies with confidence, curiosity, and critical thinking. Read the full story here.

More than 36 million Americans have type 2 diabetes, a condition primarily attributed to the body’s cells not responding to insulin properly, leading to high blood sugar levels. Research shows that most cases of type 2 diabetes can be prevented through lifestyle interventions. But if you already have the condition, can it be reversed? The answer is a resounding yes, according to Gerald I. Shulman, MD, PhD, George R. Cowgill Professor of Medicine (Endocrinology) and Cellular & Molecular Physiology at Yale School of Medicine (YSM), investigator emeritus of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and co-director of the Yale Diabetes Research Center. Read the full story.

Older adults with multiple chronic conditions face considerable challenges when deciding on surgical procedures due to the uncertain benefits and heightened risks involved. Varying health goals further complicate surgical decision-making. Recognizing this complexity, a Journal of the American Geriatrics Society research letter co-led by Yale faculty introduces a decision-making tool to align surgical interventions with what matters most to each older adult. Read the full article.

A new study from Yale School of Medicine researchers found a positive link between chronic hepatitis C and pancreatic cancer. The study, which was published inJAMA Network Open, revealed that individuals with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have a 1.8-fold increased risk of pancreatic cancer compared to those who test negative for the virus. In comparison, well-known risk factors, like diabetes or active smoking, increased the likelihood of pancreatic cancer by 1.2- or 1.3-fold. Read the full story.

In a new Yale study, published in JAMA Network Open, researchers examined the differences in active and disabled life expectancy among older people who experience illness and injury. The researchers found that, among 754 initially nondisabled persons aged 70 and older, active life expectancy consistently decreased as the number of hospital admissions increased for critical illness, major nonelective surgery, and reasons other than critical illness or major surgery, but not for major elective surgery. Read the article.

A Yale-led study, published in The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific, offers evidence for more effective TB screening strategies that could improve detection and outcomes in high-risk populations. Read the full story.

Stories of tennis courts and hospital wards, of Uganda and Georgia, of new mothers, dying friends, and failing systems were among those shared during the 9th Annual Stories of Yale Internal Medicine Medical Grand Rounds. These annual special grand rounds create space for reflection and shared humanity through storytelling. Read the full article.

Yale faculty are now delivering at-home rheumatology care to homebound veterans throughout most of Connecticut through the VA Connecticut Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) program. Read the full article.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for obstructive sleep apnea is most effective in improving neurocognition in people who have a high arousal threshold, according to a new research analysis. The study, published in the European Respiratory Journal, suggests that CPAP, currently used as a one-size-fits-all treatment, may not be beneficial for all people with obstructive sleep apnea. Read the article.

In a Q&A, Menaka Sarav, MD, discusses the importance of nutrition for kidney health, the connection between overall health and kidney health, and the risks of ultra-processed foods. Read the Q&A.

In a Q&A, Jorge Moreno, MD, assistant professor of medicine (general internal medicine), discusses the effectiveness of second-generation weight loss medications, their impact on other aspects of health, and how they change our relationship with food. Read the Q&A.

The Department of Internal Medicine at Yale School of Medicine is among the nation's premier departments, bringing together an elite cadre of clinicians, investigators, educators, and staff in one of the world's top medical schools. To learn more, visit Internal Medicine.