Jaime Hyman, MD, is an anesthesiologist specializing in ambulatory and head and neck anesthesia and says she values the unique relationships she builds with patients during what can be a difficult time.
“Having surgery is a huge deal,” Dr. Hyman says. “Being part of that experience is a tremendous responsibility, but also a tremendous honor. I love the challenge of establishing rapport quickly, gaining patients’ trust, and helping them get through surgery safely and comfortably.”
As division chief of ambulatory anesthesiology at Yale Medicine, Dr. Hyman focuses on caring for patients undergoing outpatient procedures, allowing them to return home the same day or within 24 hours of surgery. As more complex procedures move into the ambulatory setting, she works to optimize every aspect of the patient experience, from effective pain management to recovery after discharge.
Dr. Hyman uses multimodal pain management strategies, including non-opioid medications, regional anesthesia techniques, and other approaches tailored to each patient’s needs. She is also particularly focused on preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting, which can significantly affect recovery and quality of life after surgery.
Before surgery, Dr. Hyman takes time to understand each patient’s individual concerns, whether they are worried about pain, nausea, or simply the uncertainty that often accompanies a surgical procedure. “Patients come in with very different fears and priorities,” she says. “I try to understand what matters most to them and then tailor both the conversation and the anesthetic plan to address those concerns.”
In addition to her work in ambulatory anesthesia, Dr. Hyman has special expertise in head and neck anesthesia, caring for patients undergoing ear, nose, throat, and head and neck cancer surgeries. These procedures often involve complex airway management, an area in which anesthesiologists play a critical role.
“Airway management is our bread and butter as anesthesiologists,” Dr. Hyman says. “When airways are more challenging because of anatomy, prior treatment, or cancer, specialized training and experience become especially important.”
An associate professor of anesthesiology at Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Hyman conducts research focused on improving recovery after surgery, including strategies to prevent pain, nausea, and vomiting. She is particularly interested in advancing research that examines the broader recovery experience, including patients’ emotional well-being, support systems, and ability to return to daily activities after surgery.
