Dr. Mary Yamashita received her medical degree from the USC Keck School of Medicine in 1993. She trained in radiology at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center graduating in 1998. Her first position out of training was at the Marcia Ray Breast Center in Glendale, California, where she served as the Medical Director. In 2004, Dr. Yamashita joined the Patricia L. Scheifly Breast Health Center in Whittier, California, one of the busiest breast centers in Southern California. As the Medical Director, she made it a priority for the staff to provide excellent, efficient, and compassionate care for the patients they served.
Although Dr. Yamashita was proud of her accomplishments working in the private sector, in 2006, she decided to switch to academic medicine when she was offered a faculty position at the USC Department of Radiology, Division of Breast Imaging. She felt that she could not pass up the opportunity to train the next generation of radiologists and be at the forefront of breast imaging research. Dr. Yamashita is currently the Director of Mammography of the LAC+USC Comprehensive Health Center and the Lead Interpreting Physician at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital Breast Center.
Her research activity involves evaluating new imaging techniques for screening and diagnosis of breast cancer. She leads various clinical research trials involving cutting-edge technologies such as Contrast-Enhanced Mammography, 3D Mammography (Digital Breast Tomosynthesis), and Automated Whole Breast Ultrasound. She is currently the National Principal Investigator for a multi-center trial evaluating a brand-new automated 3D breast ultrasound screening for breast cancer in women with dense breast tissue.
Another role that she takes great satisfaction in is that of being a mentor. She truly enjoys teaching medical students and future radiologists as well as undergraduate and high school students who are interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare field.
Dr. Yamashita is widely recognized as a leader in the field of breast imaging and lectures locally and nationally on the topic. Dr. Yamashita continues to set standards of excellence through her body of work on early detection of breast cancer and offering patient-centered care while utilizing the latest research and technological advancements in breast imaging.
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