Yale School of Medicine Department of Surgery Receives $1.1 Million Gift Toward Breast Cancer Research and Reconstruction From Grateful Patients

The Yale School of Medicine (YSM) Department of Surgery and its Divisions of Surgical Oncology and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery have received a $1.1 million gift from Martha and Carl Lindner III, along with their daughter and son-in-law, Blake Lindner Thompson and David Thompson. Their gift will fund vital initiatives at YSM, focusing on advancing clinical care, research, and education in breast cancer treatment and reconstruction.

Lindner, a double breast cancer survivor, and Lindner Thompson, who was at high risk of developing breast cancer, gave to YSM to express their gratitude to their physicians, Mehra Golshan, MD, MBA, professor of surgery (oncology), and Siba Haykal, MD, PhD, associate professor and section chief of reconstructive oncology for the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery within the Department of Surgery. Their gift is a testament to the exceptional and compassionate care they received from Golshan and Haykal and an investment in the future of breast cancer treatment and research.

“What inspired our family to give is rooted in two deeply personal experiences,” says Lindner Thompson. “After 30 years of being cancer-free, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time, and I was facing a double mastectomy at age 44 after more than two and a half years of biopsies, scares, and uncertainty. During this difficult period, we were introduced to an extraordinary team at Yale who met every need along the way. Not only was the surgical care exceptional, but also the bedside manner of Dr. Golshan and Dr. Haykal was truly second to none.”

“Our decision to give was an easy one after spending weeks in New Haven under their care, which consisted of answering many text messages about our recovery,” shares Lindner. “Dr. Golshan and Dr. Haykal always answered our questions within a timely manner—day or night.”

“We are very grateful for Martha and Blake’s gift,” says Golshan. “Our guiding principles are always to take care of the patient, ensure they have a great experience, offer them the best options, and guide them in their decision making. This gift highlights the importance of teamwork and the combined expertise we offer at Yale.”

“Philanthropic support of this nature is especially meaningful because it’s a vote of confidence in our work and in the broader mission at Yale,” adds Haykal. “It’s humbling and energizing to know they invested in this area, understanding the collaborative relationship Dr. Golshan and I share.”

In the United States, one in eight women (approximately 13%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. Globally, it accounts for one in four of all cancer cases in women.

“Yale came into our lives during a time of great need,” shares Lindner Thompson. “The level of medical expertise, combined with genuine compassion and attentiveness, was the best that either my mother or I have ever experienced at any hospital. Every detail of my care was handled with thoughtfulness and empathy. In a health care system where patients often feel like numbers, these doctors treated us as individuals and consistently went above and beyond at every step of my journey.”

“We were inspired to give to Yale because of the expertise of two highly recommended doctors,” adds Lindner. “Dr. Golshan’s empathy toward cancer patients and Dr. Haykal’s kindness and generosity of time were extraordinary.”

The gift will support clinical and academic efforts, focusing on research and education and advancing patient care. “This gift allows us to foster innovative research, further excellence in reconstruction, and promote multidisciplinary collaboration,” says Haykal.

Golshan emphasized the collaboration enabled by the gift. “So much of what we do relies on each other’s expertise and work,” he says. “Dr. Haykal and I are sharing this gift equally to enhance the techniques and tools available for our work, fostering innovative approaches for breast surgery and reconstruction. We’re also training the next generation of surgeons, ensuring they can carry forward this expertise worldwide.”

In addition to advancing research in breast cancer, the gift will also fund research in its secondary conditions, such as lymphedema. “Our labs are dedicated to predicting who will develop lymphedema and exploring innovative techniques to reduce its risk,” notes Haykal. “Microsurgery and super microsurgery are among these innovative approaches.”

“My hope is that both these talented doctors will continue to identify breakthroughs in this field of cancer and share their talents with many more patients,” says Lindner.

“I am certain that my mother and I are benefiting today from the generosity of a previous generation who believed in investing in Yale,” says Lindner Thompson. “Because of their support, our care was seamless and lifesaving. We hope our gift will help to ensure that others receive innovative, compassionate, and excellent care, and that Yale’s standard of excellence continues for generations to come.”