- Flu Season Update: What You Can Do Now
- Webinar Invitation: Cervical Cancer Screening
- Self-Schedule Your Next Primary Care Appointment
- Pharmacy Upgrade Coming: Please Plan Ahead
- Welcome, New Yale Health Members!
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Happy New Year from all of us at Yale Health!
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As we begin 2026, we’re excited about the many meaningful improvements and enhancements planned for the year ahead—each designed to strengthen your experience, expand access, and help you thrive.
Thank you for choosing Yale Health for your care. We’re honored to support your health and well-being and look forward to continuing that partnership in the coming year.
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Flu Season Update: What You Can Do Now
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This year’s flu season is already the worst in over 25 years, with high levels of illness reported across the country, including Connecticut. As circulation of influenza, COVID, RSV, and other respiratory viruses continues, protecting yourself and your family remains especially important.
Vaccination remains the most effective way to reduce severe illness. If you haven’t gotten your flu or COVID shot this season, now is an excellent time.
Flu and COVID vaccines are still available at Yale Health.
Members can schedule a vaccination appointment by calling 203‑432‑8797 or by booking through MyChart. Walk-in vaccinations are also available during normal business hours in the Immunization Department.
What you can do now:
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- Stay home if you’re sick and reschedule non-urgent visits when possible.
- Wash hands frequently and avoid close contact with those who are ill.
- Masks are required when coming to Yale Health if you have any respiratory symptoms (such as cough, fever, sore throat, or congestion).
- During this period of high respiratory virus transmission, we strongly recommend wearing a mask in crowded indoor settings and for all visits to Yale Health, regardless of symptoms.
- Regularly disinfect high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, and countertops.
- If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, call 203-432-0123 (Acute Care) or use MyChart for guidance before coming in.
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Invitation: Updates in Cervical Cancer Screening
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January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and you’re invited to join us for an informative webinar on the latest updates in cervical cancer screening.
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
12:15–1:15 p.m.
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Presented by:
Joann Knudson, MD
Chief, OB/GYN Department
This session will review current recommendations for when screening should begin, what the screening process involves, and what steps to take if your results indicate the need for additional testing. Whether you’re due for screening or simply want to stay informed, this webinar offers practical guidance to support your health.
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Self-Schedule Your Next Primary Care Appointment
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You asked, and we made it happen—because your health and convenience matter! Members can now self-schedule well visits, routine follow-ups, and sick visits with their Primary Care Provider in Internal Medicine or OB/GYN directly through MyChart. It’s a faster, easier, and more convenient way to manage your care on your schedule. You can self-schedule in-person or telehealth appointments with a few easy steps:
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- Choose your Primary Care Provider (Leah Whelan and Sarah Gantley are examples, not necessarily who you will see as your option).
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- Select “YHC Internal Medicine,” or “YHC OB/GYN Appointment.”
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- Select the type of appointment you would like to schedule.
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- Select your preferred appointment time and date from the available options.
- Enter a reason for the visit and then select “Schedule it.”
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You can always call Internal Medicine or OB/GYN if you have any questions, don’t see an appointment type that fits your need, or wish to schedule an appointment by phone. Our Call Center Navigators are available to help you book appointments.
If you are not feeling well, our Acute Care 24/7 Nurse Triage line is available at 203-432-0123 for questions and guidance.
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Pharmacy Upgrade: Please Plan Ahead
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We’re making improvements to the Yale Health Pharmacy that will make it easier to manage your medications through MyChart.
Beginning January 26, you will be able to:
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- Reorder prescriptions directly in MyChart
- Check your refill status and receive alerts
- View prescription details in one place
- See when your prescription is ready on a new digital display in the Pharmacy waiting area
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These upgrades will streamline pickup and make medication management more convenient.
Pharmacy Closure for System Upgrade
To complete this work, the Pharmacy will be closed for system updates and staff training:
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- Closed: Saturday, January 24
- Reopens: Monday, January 26 at 8 am
- During this time, phone lines and online refill tools will be unavailable. You may submit prescription requests through MyChart, beginning at 12 noon on Saturday, January 24.
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Please Act Before January 23
To avoid interruptions:
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- Pick up ready prescriptions before 6 pm on Friday, January 23
- Expect longer lines beginning January 26
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We anticipate slower service for the first few weeks as our team adjusts to the new system. Thank you for your patience as we work to enhance your experience.
More information may be shared in a separate email as we get closer to the upgrade. For the latest updates, please visit our website and follow Yale Health on social media.
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Welcome, New Yale Health Members!
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My name is Christine Farrey, and I’m your Yale Health Member Liaison at the Yale Health Center. I’m here to support you as you begin your health care journey — whether that means answering questions, helping you understand your benefits, or coordinating your care. My goal is to make your experience smooth, comfortable, and stress-free from day one.
If you ever need assistance, please feel free to connect with me. I’m happy to meet by phone (203-436-9257), virtually, or in person, and I also offer building tours to help you get oriented.
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Christine Farrey, MA, MS
Member Liaison, Member Services
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Your Guide to Getting Started — One Short Video
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We’re delighted to welcome our new members to Yale Health—and welcome back those returning.
To help you get started, we’ve created a new Welcome to Yale Health video, available on our website. It provides a quick overview of who we are, how to access care, and helpful tips to make the most of your membership. It’s a great resource for both new and long‑time members.
We’re glad you’re here and look forward to supporting your health in 2026.
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We look forward to your active participation and feedback. Let us know what topics you'd like to see covered in future newsletters by sharing your ideas with us at yh_communications@yale.edu. Your input helps us better serve your needs and interests
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Yale Health
Acute Care: 203.432.0123
Internal Medicine: 203.432.0038
Member Services: 203.432.0246
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