Jaime B. Hyman, MD, SAMBA-F, Wins The David J. Leffell, MD, Prize for Clinical Excellence

In 2008, Cindy and David Leffell made a generous gift in honor of David’s 30th reunion at Yale College. Since then, annually, the David J. Leffell, MD, Prize for Clinical Excellence has recognized a Yale Medicine faculty member who best exemplifies clinical expertise, a commitment to teaching, and the highest standards of care and compassion for patients. A single recipient is selected each year.

Dr. Jaime Hyman is an associate professor of Anesthesiology at Yale School of Medicine (YSM), where she serves as division chief of Ambulatory Anesthesiology and director of the Head & Neck Anesthesiology Fellowship. Since joining Yale in 2020, she has emerged as a respected leader in clinical care, education, and research, known for her patient-centered approach and collaborative spirit.

A nationally recognized expert in ambulatory anesthesia, Dr. Hyman has played a central role in advancing Yale’s ambulatory surgery services by ensuring optimal anesthetic management for new service lines and guiding the introduction of increasingly complex procedures, improving access and quality of care across the organization. She is also sought after for her expertise in complex head and neck surgery and difficult airway management. She founded Yale’s Head & Neck Anesthesiology Fellowship, building on her prior success in establishing the same program at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Her nominator noted, “Dr. Hyman is the anesthesiologist of choice for complex ambulatory cases because she is approachable, inclusive, and unfailingly clear in her communication. She cultivates a collaborative atmosphere in which every team member feels valued and every patient feels heard.”

Dr. Hyman’s clinical excellence is matched by her scholarly contributions. She has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters. She currently serves as principal or co-investigator on several clinical trials, including studies focused on quality of recovery and patient-centered outcomes after surgery. Her national recognition includes the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia – Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Award and her designation as a Fellow of the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia.

As an educator, Dr. Hyman is deeply committed to mentorship and curriculum innovation. She has received numerous teaching awards, including the Paul G. Barash Faculty Award for Excellence in Education and Leadership at Yale, and has served on multiple residency and fellowship committees. Her national leadership roles include chairing education boards for both the Society for Head and Neck Anesthesia and the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia.

Dr. Hyman earned her undergraduate degree from Brown University and her medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She completed her internship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and residency in anesthesiology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she also served as chief resident. She further enhanced her leadership skills through the Emerging Leaders and Advanced Emerging Leaders Programs at the Yale School of Management.