Dr. Yolanda Evans was born and raised in Anchorage, AK, the oldest of four children. She attended college at the University of Alaska Anchorage and played the cello in the public orchestra throughout her college years. Dr. Evans attended medical school at OHSU in Portland, OR and completed her residency and Adolescent Medicine Fellowship at Seattle Children’s/University of Washington. “My parents always emphasized the importance of education,” says Dr. Evans. “Though my mom didn’t receive her Bachelor’s degree until the year I graduated from medical school and my dad did not go to college, they knew that the way to a better future for all of us was through education.”
Dr. Evans currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital. She is a member of the Division of Adolescent Medicine and was hired as faculty in 2011. “I love my work!” says Dr. Evans. “I have the privilege of working as a regional provider in outpatient adolescent clinics, serving as one of the Leadership in Education and Adolescent Health core faculty, and providing telehealth services both in Washington and Alaska.”
Dr. Evans enjoys providing community education on a variety of adolescent health topics to multiple populations, including parents, youth, and other health care professionals. She is part of the AAP’s Council on Communications and Media and has a strong interest in using social media to provide accurate and reliable health information to the public. She is the author and editor of the Seattle Children’s sponsored blog, teenology101. It’s written for parents of teens and addressing a variety of adolescent developmental topics.
“I value the educational opportunities provided by the WCAAP as well as the support in advocacy,” says Dr. Evans. “In our current times, advocating for the health needs of children is vitally important. Through the AAP and the local WCAAP I’m provided with strategies and support to help give my patients a voice in policy!”
Outside of work, Dr. Evans is a regular blood donor and is involved with her children’s schools. The busy mom of two young daughters (with another on the way) enjoys family time at parks, swimming, and museums. “I’ve been playing my cello again too, now that my older daughter has started playing the violin,” says Dr. Evans. “Being a parent is fun and has taught me so much about balancing work and family.”