Jennifer Yu, MD, PhD

Undergraduate Education: BS, Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan, 1995
Medical School: MD, Washington University School of Medicine, 2002
Post Graduate Education: PhD, Molecular Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, 2002
Internship: Transitional, Forest Park Hospital, 2003
Residency: Ophthalmology, Washington University School of Medicine, 2006
Board Certification: American Board of Ophthalmology, 2008
Memberships: American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), Washington Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons (WAEPS), Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)
Awards and Honors: Top Doctors 2024, Seattle Magazine and Seattle Met Magazine

Dr. Yu was born and raised in Minnesota and grew up in a bilingual household speaking Chinese as well as English. She graduated with highest distinction from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. During her undergraduate years, she conducted basic science research in molecular genetics at the University of Michigan culminating in a senior thesis. She earned her M.D. and Ph.D. at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO, with her Ph.D. in molecular oncology studying the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein.

Dr. Yu remained at Washington University and completed her ophthalmology residency, where she received the resident’s research award. She has been on the faculty at the University of Washington since 2008, where she enjoys patient care as well as teaching residents and medical students.  She is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and specializes in comprehensive ophthalmology and cataracts. She sees patients at the Eye Institute at Harborview and her practice has a focus on cataracts and cataract surgery, dry eye, blepharitis, glaucoma, and diabetes in the eye.

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Yu is Director of the 4W Ophthalmology Clinic at Harborview which sees about 9,000 patients per year. She is also the Director of Trauma and Consult Services for ophthalmology at Harborview Medical Center. Here, she and an excellent team of ophthalmologists and residents take care of patients that come to the Harborview Emergency Department with a variety of ophthalmic trauma and urgent eye problems as well as the most ill hospitalized patients with ophthalmic disease.

She enjoys teaching residents and medical students how to evaluate and treat a broad spectrum of eye diseases, and trains residents in cataract surgery. She values both resident education and patient education and finds them fulfilling aspects of her career.

She is an active member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, The American Society of Ocular Trauma, the Ophthalmic Hospitalist Interest Group, and the Washington Association of Eye Physicians and Surgeons. She has given national lectures and taught cataract surgery to physicians nationwide.

Dr. Yu lives in the greater Seattle area with her husband and two daughters.  Her pastimes include reading, traveling, cooking, and family activities.

Eye Institute at Harborview

Location: 908 Jefferson St., 7th Floor Seattle, WA Clinic Phone: 206-744-2020 Clinic Fax: 206-897-4320 Mailing Address: Box 359608 325 Ninth Ave. Seattle, WA 98104 Academic Phone: 206-543-7250

"I believe that good patient care starts with listening to the patient and addressing his or her concerns.  I also believe that health care is a partnership between the physician and the patient. This involves patient education and helping the patient make informed decisions."

Dr. Yu is a comprehensive ophthalmologist. Her clinical interests include the diagnosis and management of cataracts, glaucoma, dry eye, blepharitis, and ocular health in systemic diseases (such as diabetes).

Dr. Yu’s research interests include ophthalmic trauma, resident education, cataracts and cataract surgery.