Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital Adjust Operations Ahead of Major Winter Storm
Yale New Haven Health is preparing for a significant winter storm expected to begin on Sunday afternoon, February 23, 2026. Adjustments are being made to operations across ambulatory sites, Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, and Smilow Cancer Hospital, including all Yale Medicine, NEMG, and hospital outpatient clinic locations.
Hospital Operations to Continue Uninterrupted
Hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, and imaging and procedural areas within the hospitals that serve both inpatients and outpatients will remain fully staffed and operational throughout the storm. This ensures continuous care for those requiring immediate medical attention.
Ambulatory Clinic Closures and Telehealth Transition
All ambulatory locations will be closed on Monday, February 23, 2026. Care Center employees and other scheduling offices are proactively working to convert Monday’s outpatient appointments to telehealth visits. For patients who prefer in-person care, appointments will be rescheduled.
Urgent Care Availability
Yale New Haven Health Urgent Care locations currently plan to remain open during the storm. Virtual care access remains unchanged and is available as a convenient and accessible resource for patients.
Telemedicine Readiness
Clinics impacted by the closures are ensuring their technology is functioning correctly to facilitate telemedicine appointments. Resources, including tip sheets and a video on accessing EPIC remotely and performing video visits, are available to staff.
On-Call Clinician Listings
Leaders are responsible for updating their on-call clinician listings for use by call centers and answering services as needed, ensuring seamless patient access to medical guidance.
Incident Command Structure Activated
Yale New Haven Health has activated its Ambulatory Incident Command Structure, which will continue to monitor the storm’s forecast throughout the weekend. Any necessary adjustments to the plan will be communicated promptly.
Pediatric Specialty Center Operations
The Pediatric Specialty Center, located on the seventh floor of Smilow Cancer Hospital, provides specialized care in hematology, oncology, and stem cell transplantation for children. The center consistently ranks among the top children’s hospitals in the country for oncology care.
Smilow Cancer Hospital: Comprehensive Cancer Care
Smilow Cancer Hospital treats more cancer patients than any other hospital in Connecticut, offering 13 specialized cancer programs with multidisciplinary teams of clinicians. The hospital is affiliated with Yale Cancer Center and is a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. Smilow Cancer Hospital is committed to personalized medicine, utilizing innovative tumor profiling techniques to tailor therapies to each patient’s unique cancer profile.
As Connecticut’s leading healthcare system, Smilow Cancer Hospital offers comprehensive, family-focused services in over 100 specialties.