Yale Center for Asthma and Airways Disease (YCAAD)

To meet the medical needs of asthmatics and patients with complicated airways disease in our medical community the Pulmonary Section established the Yale Center for Asthma and Airways Disease (YCAAD) 6 years ago. Under the direction of Geoffrey Chupp, MD and Co-directed by Lauren Cohn, MD, this Center has become one of the busiest programs in the Section and is an established referral source for the most difficult patients with asthma and airways disease in southern New England. In addition to providing state of the art clinical care, YCAAD is the hub of human research in airways disease where both industry sponsored and investigator initiated studies are continually underway. As a result of this effort the clinic is now at the center of ongoing clinical research studies on the roles of chitinases in asthma, the pathogenesis of refractory asthma, the vascular basis of asthma and the natural history of asthma. YCAAD also offers patients the opportunity to participate state of the art in research trials on novel treatments for asthma and airways disease.

Integral to YCAAD's role as a specialized center of research in asthma, Drs. Chupp and Cohn have developed a clinical program that provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment to a broad spectrum of asthmatics, including: recalcitrant asthma, steroid- dependent asthma, steroid-resistant asthma, environmental and occupational asthma, and exercise-induced asthma. The center is staffed by 2 Pulmonologists, an Allergist (Dr. Francis Lobo), a post-doctoral asthma fellow, a asthma nurse coordinator, and a Pulmonary Function Technician trained in asthma education. Physicians from Otolaryngology and Gastroenterology also participate in the multidisciplinary approach to patients and when needed see patients in the center.

Particularly appropriate referrals to YCAAD include patients with difficult-to-control asthma, chronic cough, those who are diagnostic dilemmas, and those who may be significantly affected by co-morbid illnesses such as gastroesophageal reflux, sinusitis, vocal-cord dysfunction, and atopy. Working closely with our colleagues in allergy and immunology, otolaryngology, gastroenterology and occupational & environmental medicine, the program will coordinate an efficient and comprehensive process of evaluation for the complicated asthmatic. In conjunction with occupational & environmental medicine specialists, workplace or home environmental evaluation may be performed.

Physicians at the program develop individualized care plans for all patients, with the goal of forming a working partnership with the referring primary care provider.

Contact Information

The Yale Center for Asthma and Airways Disease
(203) 785-4198
Winchester Chest Clinic, Yale-New Haven Hospital
789 Howard Ave.
New Haven, Connecticut