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David J Leffell, MDCM

David P. Smith Professor of Dermatology and Professor of Surgery (Otolaryngology and Plastic); Section Chief, Dermatologic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology

Contact Information

David J Leffell, MDCM

Patient Care Location

Office Location

Mailing Address

  • Dermatology

    40 Temple Street,

    New Haven, CT 06510

    United States

Appointments

Biography

A graduate of Yale College and the McGill University Faculty of Medicine in Montreal, Leffell completed his residency training in internal medicine at Cornell Cooperating Hospitals and then in dermatology at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He completed an NIH post-doctoral research fellowship in dermatology at Yale followed by a clinical fellowship in dermatologic surgery at the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor. Author of the popular book "Total Skin," Leffell is an expert clinician, specializing in skin cancer and melanoma diagnosis and surgical treatment using the Mohs micrographic technique. The Cutaneous Oncology Unit that he founded in 1988 now performs specialized surgical treatment on more than 3,500 patients annually. His major clinical interest is the management of skin cancer, including basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer and melanoma. In 1996 Leffell was a member of the research group that discovered the skin cancer gene known as PTCH. In addition, he has conducted collaborative research clarifying the role of ultraviolet radiation in skin cancer and skin aging. Author of more than 200 publications, Leffell has also done research on epidemiologic aspects of skin cancer and wound healing. Dr. Leffell was the first CEO of the Yale Medical Group (now Yale Medicine) and served as Deputy Dean for Clinical Affairs at Yale for almost a decade.

Education & Training

  • Fellow
    University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI (1988)
  • N.I.H Postdoctoral Fellow
    Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (1987)
  • Resident
    Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT (1986)
  • Resident
    Cornell Cooperating Hospitals (1984)
  • Intern
    Cornell Cooperating Hospitals (1982)
  • MDCM
    McGill University (1981)
  • BS
    Yale College, Biology (1977)

Honors & Recognition

AwardAwarding OrganizationDate
Connecticut Magazine Top Docs 2016Connecticut Magazine2019
Best Doctors in New YorkCastle and Connolly2016
Best Doctors in AmericaCastle & Connolly2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Best Cancer Doctors in America2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

Professional Service

OrganizationRoleDate
Society for Investigative Dermatology, Committee on Resident/ Fellow ProgramsMember2004 - 2008
Women's Dermatologic Society, Networking CommitteeMember1998 - 2001
Women's Dermatologic Society, Mentorship Award CommitteeMember1998 - 2001

Departments & Organizations