��������

Hui-Chen “Christine” Yeh has a lot on her plate. Not only is the first-year �������� Doctor of Physical Therapy student managing the demands of a rigorous three-year program, but she is also a member of Taiwan’s national women’s ice hockey team, Chinese Taipei.

�������� five years ago, Yeh moved to the U.S. and attended Queens College in New York City, earning an undergraduate degree in biology. Despite living and studying in the U.S., she continues representing her home country by competing in International Ice Hockey Federation events such as the Olympic qualifications, World Cup Championships and the Asian Winter Games.

It takes some juggling for Yeh to connect with her Taiwanese team when she is halfway around the world and a full-time student. She last played in February 2025 at the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China. However, because of academic program commitments, she missed the Women’s World Championship, Division II, which took place in April in Poland. Still, her commitment to her team remains strong.

Decker Connect caught up with Yeh as she prepared to start her first clinical rotation at UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich, N.Y.

Q: How did you get interested in ice hockey?

It was my mother’s idea. I was supposed to start training in taekwondo, but my mother decided that was better for boys, so she sent me to the school’s rollerblading club instead. I found a knack for skating and was encouraged to enroll in roller hockey, and I started playing in elementary school. I eventually joined a girls’ youth ice hockey team, and when I was about 15, I was invited to audition for the Taiwan national ice hockey team and have been a team member since.

Q: Why did you decide to move to the U.S.?

A: It was kind of the “American Dream.” American athletes were popular growing up, and I also really liked the U.S. coaching philosophy, which emphasizes positive encouragement. So, I immigrated with my family about five years ago, although most have since returned to Taiwan for work. But I stayed and enrolled in college.

Q: How did you get interested in physical therapy and ��������?

A: I injured my knee playing hockey and became interested in the integrative approach to rehabilitation and physical therapy. �������� was the first school I applied to, and I liked the small class size, faculty and slower pace of this area.

Q: How do you stay sharp on the ice when your team is halfway around the world?

A: I sometimes practice with the Southern Tier Storm, a local women’s ice hockey team. I also play in a beer league [an informal “pick-up” mixed men’s and women’s league] — although I don’t actually drink or anything. When visiting family in the New York City area, I help my friend coach a girls’ 16U team [Mamaroneck Youth Hockey Association] in Westchester County, N.Y. When I have a tournament, I typically fly in a few days early to practice with my team.

Q: So, what’s your future in hockey look like?

A: I want to stay with the national Taiwan team, but once I graduate and start working, it will be harder to train and travel for tournaments. So, I have, maybe, another year or so. But I will always find a way to keep playing. I love physical therapy, but hockey is my life.