Meet Dr. Kenneth Yu Kenneth Yu, MD

Dr. Kenneth Yu is not only a surgeon but has served the United States military with distinction for over twenty years. His decision to join the U.S. Air Force was influenced by his father, a retired Air Force colonel. The elder Dr. Yu taught his kids the importance of duty and service. Dr. Yu grew up wanting to be a surgeon—becoming an Air Force physician allowed him to do something he loved while serving our country. Having decided to join the Air Force, Dr. Yu attended the United States Air Force Academy right out of high school. He received his medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine. After graduation, Dr. Yu completed his surgical internship in San Antonio, at Wilford Hall Medical Center. After the internship, he got an opportunity to serve as a flight surgeon. As a flight surgeon, Dr. Yu provided medical care directly to pilots, airmen, and their families. He got to experience the operational side of the Air Force and was assigned to a reconnaissance squadron. During the 1 ½ years as a flight surgeon, Dr. Yu deployed and flew in combat missions in support of Operation Deny Flight.

After a brief stint as a flight surgeon, Dr. Yu went on to complete residency training in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the world-renowned University of California San Francisco, consistently ranked in top 10 in nation by U.S. News and World Report.

After residency, Dr. Yu was assigned at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska and Travis Air Force Base, California, where he served as chief of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. Dr. Yu had the privilege of deploying to Bagram, Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom), where he acted as the theater’s sole head and neck surgeon. Serving the men and women of our military, coalition, Afghan allies and locals was a tremendous experience for Dr. Yu. The deployment stands as one of Dr. Yu’s most cherished military experience. Not only did Dr. Yu provide critical head and neck surgical care to our troops and allies, but he was also only one of two Air Force surgeons trained to perform “battle field neurosurgery.” There was a high incidence of head injuries during the war in Afghanistan. Without a neurosurgeon in theater yet, Dr. Yu provided key life-saving measures. One of Dr. Yu’s most rewarding experiences was saving a small Afghan boy’s life who was injured when he inadvertently played with an explosive device. He developed a subdural bleed, an emergency life threatening condition. Dr. Yu was the only surgeon on site who could perform the life-saving surgery. Seeing the boy awake and interacting with hospital staff was a truly gratifying experience. Another unexpected benefit of deployment was the opportunity to interact with coalition medics—the South Korean physicians were a group of friendly partners. Socializing with our allies was a pleasant and culturally rewarding experience that helped motivate Dr. Yu while working in a bleak and dangerous environment.

While practicing as an otolaryngologist for several years, Dr. Yu became more drawn to aspects related to facial cosmetics and reconstruction. He successfully applied for a fellowship focused solely on facial aesthetic and reconstructive surgery and completed his fellowship training in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery with Dr. Corey S. Maas at the Maas Clinic, University of California San Francisco, and Dr. Sheldon Kabaker, two internationally renowned surgeons. Upon graduating from fellowship, the Air Force assigned Dr. Yu to San Antonio.

Dr. Yu served as the Chief of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (SAUSHEC). Within two years, he was appointed Chief of the Department of Otolaryngology. Dr. Yu’s reputation as a trusted leader prompted the Air Force to select him as a squadron commander, and he was assigned to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, where he commanded a squadron of nearly 300 people. Though this tour was not expected, it turned out to be another fantastic and educational experience for Dr. Yu. The assignment gave him daily opportunities to learn and continuously improve as a leader. Particularly rewarding was seeing the real impact a squadron leader can have on the mission, but more importantly on guiding our tremendous Airmen that dedicate their lives to serving our great nation. Dr. Yu got to share in the successes and joys of his members’ achievements but also had the unfortunate experience of presiding over two tragic deaths during his tenure. The highs and lows taught Dr. Yu that people were the most important part of our military. After a distinguished tour, Dr. Yu returned to San Antonio to resume his duties in the division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, SAUSHEC.

Throughout his career, Dr. Kenneth Yu has received numerous awards and honors for serving with valor and distinction. These achievements include receiving the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal.