Dr. Courtney E. Gibson, M.D., F.A.C.S.

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Get to know Endocrine Surgical Oncologist Dr. Courtney E. Gibson, who serves patients in New Haven, Connecticut. 

An endocrine surgical oncologist, Dr. Gibson can be found on staff at Smilow Cancer Hospital,  the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Connecticut.

In her line of work, Dr. Gibson treats patients with both cancerous and benign conditions affecting the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands. She is skilled in using the latest minimally invasive techniques, including retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy (similar to a laparoscopic procedure, but performed through the back).

A cancer survivor herself, Dr. Gibson is often very open with patients about her history. She had Hodgkin’s lymphoma when she was in medical training, and the disease is now in remission. “I think that gives me an added empathy, so that I can understand what people are going through. Knowing that I have personally dealt with a cancer diagnosis gives patients encouragement and hope” says Dr. Gibson.

As a result of her own experience, she always takes the time to carefully explain, in layman’s terms, the diagnosis and potential treatments, so that patients and family members fully understand the disease and their treatment options.

In addition to her work as a surgeon, Dr. Gibson serves as an Associate Professor of Surgery and as the Associate Clerkship Director for the General Surgery Clerkship at Yale School of Medicine. She also holds the position of Fellowship Director of the Endocrine Surgery Fellowship Program, regularly teaching and mentoring medical students, surgical residents, and endocrine surgical fellows.

Academically, Dr. Gibson graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrition from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1999, followed by a Master of Science Degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 2001. This was succeeded by the attainment of her Medical Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine in 2005. 

Furthering her training, Dr. Gibson performed her internship at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in 2006, her research fellowship at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in 2009, and her residency in general surgery at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in 2012. Finally, she completed her fellowship in endocrine surgery at Scott & White Memorial Hospital in 2013. 

The doctor’s research interests include outcomes after minimally-invasive endocrine surgery (thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal), outpatient thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy, intraoperative laryngeal nerve monitoring, and endocrine oncology. 

An expert in her field, Dr. Gibson is board certified in general surgery by the American Board of Surgery (ABS). The ABS is an independent, non-profit organization located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded for the purpose of certifying surgeons who have met a defined standard of education, training, and knowledge.

Distinguished as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), Dr. Gibson is also an active member of both the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons and the New England Surgical Society.

Surgical oncology is the branch of surgery applied to oncology. It focuses on the surgical management of tumors, especially cancerous tumors. A surgical oncologist removes the tumor and nearby tissue during surgery. He or she also performs certain types of biopsies to help diagnose cancer.

Among Dr. Gibson’s philanthropic endeavors include Asher’s Answer, Inc., a nonprofit organization devoted to providing financial support to families of babies diagnosed with rare trisomies.

On a more personal note, she speaks both English and Spanish.

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