David J. Leffell MD

David P. Smith Professor of Dermatology and Professor of Surgery (Otolaryngology and Plastic); Deputy Dean for Clinical Affairs, Yale School of Medicine; Section Chief, Dermatologic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology

Biographical Info

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 did a clinical 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 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 100 publications, Leffell has also done research on epidemiologic aspects of skin cancer and wound healing.

International Activity

• YALE-UCL Collaborative
  London, United Kingdom (2011)
  Dr. Leffell is on the Joint Strategy Committee for the Yale-UCL Collaborative, an alliance which will provide opportunities for high-level scientific research, clinical and educational collaboration across the institutions involved: Yale University, Yale School of Medicine, Yale-New Haven Hospital and UCL (University College London) and UCL Partners

Education & Training

B.S.

Yale College (1977)

M.D.

McGill University (1981)

Intern

Cornell Cooperating Hospitals, Internal Medicine (1981 - 1982)

Resident

Cornell Cooperating Hospitals, Internal Medicine (1982 - 1984)

Resident

Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT, Dermatology (1984 - 1986)

N.I.H Postdoctoral Fellow

Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, Dermatology (1986 - 1987)

Fellow

University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery (1987 - 1988)

Board Certification

Dermatology, Board Certified  (1987)

Board Certification

Internal Medicine, Board Certified  (1984)

Honors & Recognition

• Best Doctors in New York
  Castle and Connolly (2009)
• Best Doctors in America
  Castle & Connolly (2010)

Professional Service

• Society for Investigative Dermatology, Committee on Resident/ Fellow Programs (2004 - 2008)
• Women's Dermatologic Society, Networking Committee (1998 - 2001)
• Women's Dermatologic Society, Mentorship Award Committee (1998 - 2001)
• Medical Editor, Dermatology Focus (publication of The Dermatology Foundation) (07/01/2004 - present)
• American Academy of Dermatology
• Society for Investigative Dermatology
• Dermatology Foundation
• Women’s Dermatologic Society