Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Head of Gynecologic Oncology Morbidity and Mortality , Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences; Institutional Review Board Committee Member, Gynecologic Oncology
Dr. Gary Altwerger is an assistant professor of Gynecologic Oncology in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at the Yale School of Medicine. Known for his advanced surgical skills, Dr. Altwerger is an expert in minimally invasive techniques for treating uterine, ovarian, and vulvar cancers. His knowledge extends beyond the operating room to pioneering research in both clinical and basic sciences. He has identified biomarkers in advanced uterine cancer and developed strategies to disrupt tumor DNA repair pathways, advancing treatments for chemotherapy-resistant gynecologic cancers. Dr. Altwerger's basic science research on treatment resistant uterine cancers has led to the launch of an investigator-initiated clinical trial at Yale University. Additionally, his clinical research in evaluating desensitization protocols has enabled patients with hypersensitivities to receive effective yet previously intolerable chemotherapy treatments, with these findings published in high-impact gynecologic oncology journals. In the surgical arena, Dr. Altwerger has developed and published novel techniques for minimally invasive tumor removal in the upper abdomen. Additionally, as part of a mandate by the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, he participates in the CSATS (Crowd-Sourced Assessment of Technical Skills) platform. This initiative utilizes national expert feedback to rate and enhance a surgeon’s operative skills. Reviews on CSATS often highlight Dr. Altwerger's surgical expertise, with feedback noting his 'clever' and 'expert' approaches to managing 'challenging' cases in gynecologic oncology. Dr. Altwerger’s commitment to professional development and excellence in gynecologic oncology is evident in his multifaceted role at Yale. He educates future medical professionals on gynecologic cancers and related topics, oversees the Inpatient Gynecologic Oncology Advanced Practice Providers, and chairs the Gynecologic Oncology Morbidity and Mortality meetings. Furthermore, he serves on the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at Yale New Haven Hospital, ensuring the safety and ethical standards of cancer research protocols. Clinically, he remains at the forefront of administering the latest therapies, including chemotherapies, immunotherapies, intraoperative chemotherapy and antibody-drug conjugates, to provide targeted care for women with gynecologic malignancies.