When you think of Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, you might first consider the main campus on York Street, but just a little west is another major hospital: Yale New Haven Hospital Saint Raphael Campus. The address is 1450 Chapel Street, and it currently operates as one of the main campuses of Yale New Haven Hospital.

This hospital was not always part of Yale. Looking back in history, it was established in 1907 by the Catholic Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth under the name Hospital of Saint Raphael. It began as a hospital to provide medical services to the residents of New Haven and has grown over more than a century to become one of the region's representative hospitals.

For a long time, it was a separate hospital from Yale-New Haven Hospital, but a significant change occurred in 2012. Yale New Haven Hospital and Saint Raphael merged, resulting in the current Saint Raphael Campus. This means that what was once a structure with two competing large hospitals in New Haven has now combined into one massive university hospital system.

So now, it's convenient to think of the York Street Campus and the Saint Raphael Campus as two main hubs of essentially one hospital. Both locations are part of Yale New Haven Hospital, and the campus may vary depending on the patient's condition and the required specialty care.

Saint Raphael is significant in New Haven's medical history not just because it is an old hospital. It has actively introduced new medical technologies, particularly in the fields of heart disease and surgery. In the 1950s, it was one of the first to adopt radiation therapy facilities and became known as a pioneering hospital in southern New England for heart surgery.

Currently, the Saint Raphael Campus offers a variety of medical services, including emergency care, surgery, inpatient treatment, and services for heart and vascular diseases, as well as orthopedics. With specialists and medical staff connected to the Yale School of Medicine, it is more accurate to view it as a part of a large university hospital rather than an independent community hospital.

Having an emergency room is also important for the residents of New Haven. If an emergency occurs in downtown New Haven, not all patients have to go to the York Street Campus; the Saint Raphael Campus can also receive emergency patients. It has a relatively large emergency medical infrastructure for the size of the city.

Personally, I find it interesting that the history of the hospital continues at the Saint Raphael Campus. Although it has become part of a world-renowned university hospital system, it has not removed the name Saint Raphael. It has maintained the identity of a hospital that has served the local community for over 100 years while integrating its medical system with Yale New Haven Hospital.

For Korean residents who have just moved to New Haven, it can be confusing to think of York Street and Saint Raphael as separate hospitals. If you receive an appointment notice that says Saint Raphael Campus, you might wonder, "I made an appointment at Yale Hospital, why am I going to a different hospital?" There's no need to worry. Both are Yale New Haven Hospital.

However, when using hospitals in the U.S., it's essential to confirm which campus you need to go to. York Street and Saint Raphael are not adjacent buildings; they are located some distance apart, so if you mistakenly go to the wrong appointment location, it can be quite inconvenient. It's also a good idea to check the parking location in advance.

Insurance is also important. Even if Yale New Haven Health is in your insurance network, you cannot assume that all doctors, tests, and treatments will be covered under the same conditions. It's safe to check the in-network status and expected out-of-pocket costs when making an appointment.

Ultimately, the Saint Raphael Campus is not just a branch of Yale New Haven Hospital. It is a hospital with an independent history of treating New Haven residents since 1907 that has merged with Yale's medical system and continues to this day. If you live in New Haven, it's good to know the locations of both the York Street Campus and the Saint Raphael Campus as important medical facilities.