Elaine A. Gan-Yong, MD

Medicine has been a true calling for Dr. Gan-Yong and her family. Starting with her uncle who was a family medicine physician on staff for many years at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, he was her true inspiration to pursue medicine. He provided care for the entire family and served as a great role model. Not only did Dr. Gan-Yong pursue a career in medicine, but so did her sister and cousins, all continuing a family tradition

Through her training, Dr. Gan-Yong realized that she had a great love for kids and enjoyed watching them evolve from adorable infants into mature young adults. This solidified her decision to pursue pediatrics since it allowed her to participate in the various stages a child goes through and provide a positive influence during their development. According to Dr. Gan-Yong, “When I first started out, I did not realize how much support parents needed and I feel privileged to help serve in this role. It is the bond between physician and family that provides the best continuity of care through all life stages.”

Dr. Gan-Yong not only treats the physical aspects of a child, but she also pays special attention to their mental, social, and emotional states in order to provide comprehensive care. Additionally, she focuses on creating a two-way dialogue with her patients and making sure they feel comfortable and able to share whatever is on their mind.

She completed medical school and residency at University of California, San Diego and has been practicing in Irvine since 1995. Dr. Gan-Yong’s favorite part about her job is watching her patients reach important life milestones and celebrating with them.

An Irvine resident and mom to three boys, Dr. Gan-Yong absolutely loves what she does. In her spare time, she volunteers, watches her kids swim competitively, exercises, and loves spending time with her family and friends.