The Yale School of Medicine (YSM) Department of Surgery is pleased to announce the appointment of James Kempton, MD, as Interim Chief of Surgical Services at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System, effective following the departure of Alan Dardik, MD, PhD, in March 2025. Dr. Dardik has served in this role since January 2024, and we are deeply grateful for his leadership and dedicated service to our veteran community.
A national search for the permanent Chief of Surgical Services is currently underway, led by Huned Patwa, MD, Chief of Staff at VA Connecticut, in collaboration with Benjamin Judson, MD, MBA, Interim Chair of Surgery at Yale School of Medicine.
Dr. Kempton is an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at YSM, where he also serves as Vice Chair of Veteran Affairs in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. A nationally recognized specialist in Vitreo-Retinal Diseases and Retina Surgery, Dr. Kempton currently directs Eye Care Services at the West Haven VA, where he has been instrumental in advancing comprehensive ophthalmologic care for veterans.
Please join us in thanking Dr. Dardik for his service and congratulating Dr. Kempton on this important new role.