Member Update – March 2025

Your feedback plays a vital role in shaping our care and services. In response to member input, we are making important improvements to streamline our processes and enhance your overall experience.

One of the key changes is merging our referrals, authorizations, and appeals processes into a single department. This consolidation will improve communication, increase efficiency, and simplify your interactions with Yale Health—ensuring you feel supported, valued, and cared for.

As part of our commitment to Service Excellence, the following departments will now be integrated:

• Member Services
• Health Information Management
• Authorizations and Appeals (NEW)
• Call Center
• Central Reception

These updates are designed to create a more seamless experience for our members. Stay tuned for further details in upcoming editions of Member Update. We will also keep our website and Employee Coverage Booklet up to date as these changes take effect.

At Yale Health, we prioritize the health and safety of our community by providing up-to-date guidelines on important vaccinations, including the measles vaccine. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to serious health complications. Following the recommended vaccination schedule is essential to protect yourself and those around you.

Vaccination is key in light of recent measles outbreaks. According to the CDC, about 95 out of 100 people will be protected after receiving one MMR vaccine, and 97-99 out of 100 will be protected after receiving the second dose. Note that to date, there have been no reported cases in Connecticut.

Children: The first measles vaccination is usually given between 12 and 15 months of age. However, infants between 6 and 12 months old can get a measles vaccine during an outbreak or before international travel to a location with an active measles outbreak. If the first dose is given early, an additional dose would be required at 12 months. The second dose is typically given between 4 and 6 years old but may be administered early depending on the risk of measles in your area.

Adults: Unsure if you’re protected? Check our Current Yale Health Guidance on Measles Vaccinations on our website and CDC resources.

We encourage all members of the Yale community to stay informed and ensure they are vaccinated according to the guidelines provided by public health authorities. Talk to your healthcare provider today if you or your child are not current on your measles vaccination.

Stay safe and protect your health by keeping your vaccinations up to date.

We encourage you to review these documents to plan your care and understand your coverage and benefits throughout 2025.

Professional Experience: Gabriella has significant experience in both clinical and managerial positions. Previously, she served as a Nurse Practitioner at an internal medicine practice. Before that, she worked as an Operating Room Charge Nurse, managing daily operations, staff schedules, and equipment oversight. Her experience includes roles at Greenwich Hospital and Norwalk Hospital, where she specialized in Orthopedics, Neurology, Gynecology, and more. 

FYI: In her previous role, she focused on medical weight loss management, guiding her patients to a healthier self through education. Also, while at Greenwich Hospital, she was a founding member of an efficiency committee working towards streamlining day-to-day operations in the OR. 

Professional Experience: Christina has a solid background in primary care. From 2014 to 2024, she worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner at Cornell Scott Hill Health Center in New Haven, providing primary care to underserved communities, including uninsured, underinsured, and low-income patients. She also initiated a house calls program for geriatric patients and participated in a population health initiative for high-risk patients with chronic conditions. Additionally, Christina served as a Nurse Practitioner clinical preceptor at Yale University School of Nursing, where she provided clinical instruction in primary care to MSN students.

FYI: Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her husband, young daughter, and their two bulldogs. Christina loves trail hiking, cycling, mystery novels, true crime podcasts, and classic movies. She also finds happiness in a cup of hot tea.

Vulvar and vaginal pain, commonly experienced as pain with sex, pelvic exams, or constant pain “down there,” can be complex, frustrating, and isolating. But you are not alone. At Yale Health, we recognize the challenges that come with these conditions and are committed to increasing awareness, expanding clinical knowledge, and enhancing the care we provide.

Thanks to the voices of Yale Health members who are part of the national organization Tight Lipped, a community advocating for those with chronic pelvic and vulvar pain, we’ve deepened our understanding and strengthened our services. Together, we’re working to break the silence, improve diagnosis and treatment, and ensure compassionate, evidence-based care for all who need it.

Experiencing vaginal pain? Talk to your clinicians and healthcare team—we’re here to help with compassionate, expert care. Your concerns are real; we’re here to listen, support, and help you find relief. Let’s keep the conversation going because every voice matters.