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Katherine C. McKenzie, FACP

she/her/hers
Associate Professor of Medicine (General Medicine); Director, Yale Center for Asylum Medicine, Internal Medicine

Contact Information

Katherine C. McKenzie, FACP

Patient Care Locations

Mailing Address

  • General Internal Medicine

    Department of Internal Medicine, 367 Cedar Street

    New Haven, CT 06510

    United States

Appointments

Biography

Katherine C. McKenzie, MD, FACP is a faculty member at Yale School of Medicine and the director of the Yale Center for Asylum Medicine (YCAM). She has practiced medicine at Yale for over 25 years. She teaches undergraduates, students, and residents, and is a member of Yale Refugee Health Program. She is a physician advocate for social justice and human rights.

Dr. McKenzie founded and directs YCAM. In this capacity, she has performed forensic evaluations of asylum seekers at Yale and in detention facilities, and has testified as an expert witness in immigration court for individuals referred by law schools, human rights organizations, and immigration attorneys. She leads the asylum medicine teaching program for trainees and faculty at Yale, mentors healthcare providers across the US, and lectures extensively nationally and internationally on topics of asylum, detention, and physician advocacy. She is an expert advisor for Physicians for Human Rights and serves on the boards of the Society for Refugee Healthcare Providers, Project Access New Haven, and Integrated Refugee and Immigrants Services. She is involved in medical-legal partnerships and collaborates with attorneys on civil litigation that supports human rights. She is a founder and director of the Society of Asylum Medicine.

She has written reviews, clinical case reports and opinion essays in publications including the New England Journal of Medicine, the Journal of the American Medical Association, the Journal of General Internal Medicine, the British Medical Journal, Time magazine and CNN, among many others.

At Yale, she received the Leonard B. Tow Award for Humanism in Medicine and the Faculty Award for Achievement in Clinical Care. She has been named a “Top Doctor” by Connecticut Magazine for many years. She is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and has been certified with the American Board of Internal Medicine since 1995.

Education & Training

  • Intern and Resident
    University Hospital, Boston, MA (1995)
  • MD
    Boston University School of Medicine (1992)
  • BA
    University of Colorado at Boulder (1987)

Activities

  • Asylum Medicine Overview
    New Haven, CT, United States 2024
    Yale Primary Care Noon Conference
  • The Physician as Advocate
    Virtual San Antonio, Texas 2024
    University of Texas San Antonio Medical School
  • The Clinician as Advocate
    International audience 2023
    Society of Refugee Healthcare Providers Advocacy Committee
  • Immigrant and Refugee Health Workshop
    New Haven, CT, United States 2023
    Clinical Skills Session
  • Asylum Seekers in a Time of Record Global Displacement
    New York, NY 2023
    The Center for Victims of Torture National Capacity Building Project
  • Overview of Asylum Medicine
    New Haven, CT, United States 2023
    Asylum Medicine Colloquium
  • Asylum Medicine
    New Haven, CT, United States 2023
    Yale Second Look
  • Introduction to Providing Forensic Mental Health Evaluations and Testimony for Asylum Seekers
    Washington, DC 2023
    National Consortium of Torture Treatment Centers
  • Asylum Medicine
    New Haven, CT, United States 2023
    Yale Medical School Council Perspectives in Medicine
  • The Clinician as Advocate
    San Antonio, Texas 2023
    University of Texas Human Rights and Asylum Medicine Class
  • Displacement, Immigration, and Refugee Health
    New Haven, Conn 2022
    Yale U.S. Health Justice Elective Course
  • Asylum Medicine Overview
    Chicago, IL, United States 2022
    Midwest Human Rights Consortium
  • A Years-Long Commitment: Supporting Refugees and Asylum Seekers Throughout Our Professional Lifespan.
    Cleveland, OH, United States 2022
    North American Refugee Healthcare Conference
  • See How It’s Done: A Standardized Video Format Demonstrating the Forensic Evaluation of Survivors of Trauma
    Cleveland, OH, United States 2022
    North American Refugee Healthcare Conference
  • Forensic Evaluation of Asylum Seekers
    Cleveland, OH, United States 2022
    North American Refugee Healthcare Conference
  • Medical Evaluation of Asylum Seekers
    New York, NY, United States 2021
    Medical Evaluation of Asylum Seekers
  • Asylum Medicine for Undergraduates
    Williamstown, MA, United States 2021
    Asylum Medicine for Undergraduates
  • Society of Asylum Medicine
    Boston, MA, United States 2021
    Society of Asylum Medicine
  • Strategies for revised immigration practices and policies to promote social connections and rebuild family attachment relationships
    Denver, CO, United States 2021
    Strategies for revised immigration practices and policies to promote social connections and rebuild family attachment relationships
  • Advocating for Asylum Seekers in a Time of Record Forced-Displacement A Collaborative, Interdisciplinary Approach
    New York, NY, United States 2021
    Advocating for Asylum Seekers in a Time of Record Forced-Displacement A Collaborative, Interdisciplinary Approach
  • The Role of Social Determinants of Mental Health among Asylum Seekers: Implications for Sustainable Development Goal
    Toronto, ON, Canada 2021
    The Role of Social Determinants of Mental Health among Asylum Seekers: Implications for Sustainable Development Goal
  • Clinician Advocacy to Support Refugees, Immigrants, and Asylum Seekers
    Toronto, ON, Canada 2021
    Clinician Advocacy to Support Refugees, Immigrants, and Asylum Seekers
  • How to Write an OpEd: Supporting Migrants Through Opinion Essay Advocacy
    Toronto, ON, Canada 2021
    How to Write an OpEd: Supporting Migrants Through Opinion Essay Advocacy
  • United We Stand, Divided We Fall: a descriptive study on the current state of asylum medicine workforce in the US
    Toronto, ON, Canada 2021
    United We Stand, Divided We Fall: a descriptive study on the current state of asylum medicine workforce in the US
  • Documenting Physical Sequelae of Torture and Ill Treatment
    Charlottesville, VA, United States 2020
    Documenting Physical Sequelae of Torture and Ill Treatment
  • Addressing the Public Health Crisis at Border Detention Centers
    Boston, MA, United States 2020
    Addressing the Public Health Crisis at Border Detention Centers
  • The Clinician as Advocate
    Cleveland, OH, United States 2020
    The Clinician as Advocate
  • Asylum Evaluations for Experienced Clinicians: A Deep Dive into Challenges and Pitfalls
    Cleveland, OH, United States 2020
    Asylum Evaluations for Experienced Clinicians: A Deep Dive into Challenges and Pitfalls
  • Advocacy Forum
    Cleveland, OH, United States 2020
    Advocacy Forum
  • Medical Forensic Evaluations of Asylum Seekers
    New York, NY, United States 2020
    Medical Forensic Evaluations of Asylum Seekers
  • Forensic Evaluation of Asylum Seekers Training Course
    Cleveland, OH, United States 2020
    Forensic Evaluation of Asylum Seekers Training Course
  • Forced Displacement during COVID-19
    San Francisco, CA, United States 2020
    Forced Displacement during COVID-19
  • Asylum Medicine: Standard and Best Practices
    Toronto, ON, Canada 2019
    Asylum Medicine: Standard and Best Practices
  • The Clinician as Advocate: Speaking, Writing and Organizing in Support of Refugees and Asylum Seekers
    Toronto, ON, Canada 2019
    The Clinician as Advocate: Speaking, Writing and Organizing in Support of Refugees and Asylum Seekers
  • Rally to Close Detention Camps
    Washington, DC, United States 2019
    "Rally to Close Detention Camps"
  • Advocacy, Human Rights and the Role of Professional Organizations
    Washington, DC, United States 2019
    Advocacy, Human Rights and the Role of Professional Organizations
  • Update in Asylum Law and Asylum Medicine
    Toronto, ON, Canada 2019
    Update in Asylum Law and Asylum Medicine
  • When Torture Survivors Recover and Heal: Exploring the Human Capacity for Resilience
    Boston, MA, United States 2019
    When Torture Survivors Recover and Heal: Exploring the Human Capacity for Resilience
  • Compounded Trauma While Seeking Refuge: a Case of Family Separation in Asylum Medicine
    New Haven, CT, United States 2019
    Compounded Trauma While Seeking Refuge: a Case of Family Separation in Asylum Medicine
  • Incorporating Health and Human Rights into Medical Education
    Toronto, ON, Canada 2019
    Incorporating Health and Human Rights into Medical Education
  • Asylum Seekers in a Time of Record Forced Displacement: The Role of the Clinician
    Stony Brook, NY, United States 2018
    Asylum Seekers in a Time of Record Forced Displacement: The Role of the Clinician
  • Medical Advocacy on Behalf of Detained Immigrants
    New York, NY, United States 2018
    Medical Advocacy on Behalf of Detained Immigrants
  • Asylum Seekers in a Time of Global Record Forced Displacement: The Role of the Clinician
    Portland, OR, United States 2018
    Asylum Seekers in a Time of Global Record Forced Displacement: The Role of the Clinician
  • Forensic Evaluation of Asylum Seekers
    Portland, OR, United States 2018
    Forensic Evaluation of Asylum Seekers
  • Advocating for Asylum Seekers in a Time of Record Forces Displacement: A Collaborative, Interdisciplinary Approach
    New York, NY, United States 2018
    Advocating for Asylum Seekers in a Time of Record Forces Displacement: A Collaborative, Interdisciplinary Approach
  • Advocating for Asylum Seekers in a Time of Record Forced Displacement: A Collaborative, Interdisciplinary Approach
    Washington, DC, United States 2018
    Advocating for Asylum Seekers in a Time of Record Forced Displacement: A Collaborative, Interdisciplinary Approach
  • Medical Evaluation of Asylum Seekers: Lessons from Two University-Based Models
    Washington, DC, United States 2018
    Medical Evaluation of Asylum Seekers: Lessons from Two University-Based Models
  • Resilience in Asylum, Immigrant, and Refugee Medicine; Self-Care and Support to Promote Long-Term Involvement and Well-Being of Clinicians
    Boston, MA, United States 2018
    Resilience in Asylum, Immigrant, and Refugee Medicine; Self-Care and Support to Promote Long-Term Involvement and Well-Being of Clinicians
  • Save the Affordable Care Act Rally
    New Haven, CT, United States 2017
    "Save the Affordable Care Act Rally"
  • Resilience in Asylum, Immigrant, and Refugee Medicine: Self-Care and Support to Promote Long-Term Involvement and Well-Being of Clinicians
    Washington, DC, United States 2017
    Resilience in Asylum, Immigrant, and Refugee Medicine: Self-Care and Support to Promote Long-Term Involvement and Well-Being of Clinicians
  • Demonstrating Resilience After Fleeing Persecution: A Man Tortured for His Political Opinion is Granted Asylum
    Washington, DC, United States 2017
    Demonstrating Resilience After Fleeing Persecution: A Man Tortured for His Political Opinion is Granted Asylum
  • A Woman Seeking Asylum Who Was Subjected to Female Genital Cutting
    Washington, DC, United States 2017
    A Woman Seeking Asylum Who Was Subjected to Female Genital Cutting
  • An Innovative Approach to Teaching Asylum Medicine and Promote Resilience in Trainees Who Evaluate Torture Survivors: The Observership Model in a Simulation Center
    Washington, DC, United States 2017
    An Innovative Approach to Teaching Asylum Medicine and Promote Resilience in Trainees Who Evaluate Torture Survivors: The Observership Model in a Simulation Center
  • Engaging Students in the Evaluation of Asylum Seekers: Building Capacity, Teaching Service and Resilience
    Washington, DC, United States 2017
    Engaging Students in the Evaluation of Asylum Seekers: Building Capacity, Teaching Service and Resilience
  • Medical Evaluation of Asylum Seekers
    Niagara Falls, NY, United States 2016
    Medical Evaluation of Asylum Seekers
  • Physical Evaluation of Asylum Seekers
    Los Angeles, CA, United States 2016
    Physical Evaluation of Asylum Seekers
  • Local Global Health: Evaluating Asylum Seekers, Caring for Refugees
    New Haven, CT, United States 2016
    Local Global Health: Evaluating Asylum Seekers, Caring for Refugees
  • Medical Evaluation of Asylum Seekers
    Niagara Falls, NY, United States 2016
    Medical Evaluation of Asylum Seekers
  • Teaching Medical Students About Forensic Evaluations of Asylum Seekers: Five Clinical Models
    Providence, RI, United States 2016
    Teaching Medical Students About Forensic Evaluations of Asylum Seekers: Five Clinical Models
  • Physical Evaluation of Asylum Seekers
    New York, NY, United States 2015
    Physical Evaluation of Asylum Seekers
  • Evaluating Asylum Seekers
    Bridgeport, CT, United States 2015
    Evaluating Asylum Seekers
  • Teaching Cultural Sensitivity: Medical Evaluations of Asylum Seekers
    New Haven, CT, United States 2014
    Teaching Cultural Sensitivity: Medical Evaluations of Asylum Seekers
  • Case Studies of Asylum Seekers
    New Haven, CT, United States 2013
    Case Studies of Asylum Seekers
  • Medical Evaluations of Refugees and Asylum Seekers
    Orlando, FL, United States 2012
    Medical Evaluations of Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Honors & Recognition

AwardAwarding OrganizationDate
Top Docs 2023Connecticut Magazine2023
Top Docs 2022Connecticut Magazine2022
Top Docs 2021Connecticut Magazine2021
Top Docs 2020Connecticut Magazine2020
Top Docs 2019Connecticut Magazine2019
Leonard B. Tow Award for Humanism in MedicineYale School of Medicine2018
Top Docs 2018Connecticut Magazine2018
Top Docs 2017Connecticut Magazine2017
Top Docs 2016Connecticut Magazine2016
Top Docs 2015Connecticut Magazine2015
Top Docs 2014Connecticut Magazine2014
Outstanding Faculty Vignette Poster, SGIM New England Regional Meeting. “Case Studies of Asylum Seekers.”Society of General Internal Medicine2013
Faculty Award for Achievement in Clinical CareDepartment of Medicine2010

Professional Service

OrganizationRoleDate
Asylum Medicine ColloquiumLead2023
Society of Refugee Healthcare Providers Advocacy CommitteeCo-Chair2023 - 2024
St Thomas's Day School Foundation Board of DirectorsBoard Member2023 - 2024
Asylum Medicine Training InitiativeCreating novel, evidence-based, peer reviewed asylum training curriculum2022 - Present
Society of Asylum MedicineCo-founder and Co-director2021 - Present
Physicians for Human RightsForensic Asylum Evaluation Expert Group2021 - Present
Office of Global HealthAffiliated Faculty2020 - 2024
Physicians for Human Rights, American Civil Liberties Union and OthersExpert consultant on health of migrants in detention during COVID-19 pandemic2020
Integrated Refugee and Immigration ServicesBoard Member2020 - Present
Yale Traditional Residency Program Residency Advocacy GroupAdvisor2019 - 2020
North American Refugee Health ConferencePlanning Committee2019 - 2020
Society of Refugee Healthcare ProvidersBoard Member2019 - Present
Project Access New HavenBoard Member2018 - 2024
MacMillan Center, Program on Refugees, Forced Displacement, and Humanitarian ResponsesMember2016 - 2024
MacMillan Center Program on Refugees, Forced Displacement and Humanitarian ResponsesCommittee Member2016 - 2024
Yale School of Medicine-Physicians for Human Rights Interest GroupAdvisor2013 - 2020
HealthRight InternationalVolunteer2010 - 2024
Physicians for Human RightsPro bono medical expert2010 - 2024
Yale Traditional Residency ProgramInterviewer 2002-2011; 2018-20202002 - 2020
Yale University Medical Shadow ProgramMentored students who shadowed me2000 - 2007

Departments & Organizations