10 Questions With Orthopedic Sports Medicine Specialist Gene Yoo, DO

Gene Yoo, DO, is a rock music-loving California native who’s put down roots on the East Coast with Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) after completing a primary care sports medicine fellowship with LVHN. He’s #LVHNproud to have the opportunity to care for you. In addition to seeing patients at LVPG Orthopedics and Sports Medicine–Hecktown Oaks, he’s also the team physician for the Lehigh University Mountain Hawks.

Read more about why he got into medicine, what gets him going in the morning and his commitment to your well-being and life goals.

My inspiration was my father, who was also a physician. He was an important figure in my life and embodied the attitude of servitude that makes a compassionate doctor. He cared for patients with limited means and made it a point to me that everybody deserves equal treatment and care. To emulate and honor him, I decided to enter medicine as well.

Becoming a sports medicine doctor was a big surprise and something that I didn’t consider until the middle of my residency. I never considered sports medicine as a career because it was not a well-known specialty. It wasn’t until I rotated through sports medicine as a resident at LVHN that I knew I wanted to not only be a sports medicine doctor but that I wanted to do my fellowship at LVHN because it was such a great experience. After fellowship, I stayed on.

What makes my job unique is the dual nature of my position. I spend half the time in the office seeing a wide spectrum of musculoskeletal conditions and ages from children to the elderly. The other half the time, I switch hats and get to be the team physician for athletes at Lehigh University. Because of this it keeps me on my toes and never gets boring.

When I have the opportunity, I enjoy hiking and camping, like my father who was an avid outdoors person. I also enjoy spending time with my wife and looking for places to eat good food.

I grew up listening to late 90s and early 2000s rock music, and my two favorite groups are Oasis and Foo Fighters. Whenever I listen to them it takes me back to my teenage years. I like all their songs, and I don’t have a specific favorite one.

My patients and family give me the most motivation. The greatest satisfaction I get is when my patients and athletes come to me with a problem, and through a treatment plan, they improve and can either live their lives better or compete to the best of their ability. That motivates me to do my best every day.

I grew up in Orange County near Los Angeles and played basketball growing up, so it's no surprise that the Lakers are my favorite team. Seeing Kobe Bryant play was always a joy.

My go-to treat is very traditional. I like vanilla bean coffee ice cream in a cup with some dark chocolate sprinkled over it. Nothing beats it, especially on a hot day.

I’m a coffee person. I like to explore coffees and blends from places and roasters, and it gets me going in the morning.

Christmas. Something about that time encourages people to give and be the best version of themselves, and reminds me to reconnect and spend time with family and friends.