Facts and Figures 2008

The Yale School of Medicine is one of the world’s leading centers for biomedical research, advanced clinical care and medical education. It ranks among the top handful of medical schools receiving funds from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). More than 800 Yale physicians provide care to patients from across the region and around the world. The Yale system of medical education, with its emphasis on critical thinking and independent student research, has produced leaders in every field of academic medicine.

The sixth-oldest medical school in the United States, the school was established by the Connecticut General Assembly in 1810 when it chartered the Medical Institution of Yale College, located first on Grove Street, then at 150 York Street. Since 1924, it has occupied Sterling Hall of Medicine at 333 Cedar Street and surrounding buildings. It has awarded 8,027 medical degrees since 1814. There are 5,001 living alumni with MD degrees, 3,767 with MPH degrees and 876 alumni of the Physician Associate Program.

The Medical Historical Library houses books dating to 1326, as well as thousands of incunabula, journals, posters, pamphlets, photographs and other historic materials.

Brief Chronology

1701 — Yale College founded.

1810 — Medical Institution of Yale College chartered.

1833 — The State Hospital, precursor to the New Haven Hospital, opens.

1839 — M.D. student thesis requirement formalized.

1857 — First African American student graduates.

1915 — Department of Public Health established at Yale.

1916 — First female students admitted.

1923 — School of Nursing established.

1945 — The New Haven Hospital merges with Grace Hospital, becoming Grace-New Haven Community Hospital.

1965 — Medical school and hospital revise their affiliation, creating Yale-New Haven Hospital.

1974 — Yale Cancer Center established.

1991 — Boyer Center for Molecular Medicine completed.

1993 — Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital opens.

2003 — Anlyan Center completed.

2007 — Amistad Street building opens.