Mary Yamashita, MD, has dedicated her professional life to breast imaging and early detection of breast cancer.
Dr. Yamashita received her medical degree from the USC Keck School of Medicine in 1993 and completed her radiology training at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center in 1998. Immediately following her training, she was recruited by the Marcia Ray Breast Center in Glendale, California where she served as the Medical Director for 5 years. In 2004, she moved on to become the Medical Director at the Patricia L. Scheifly Breast Health Center at Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital in Whittier, California. While Dr. Yamashita enjoyed her experience in the private sector, she missed the challenges that only academic medicine could give to her. Therefore, in 2006, she joined the faculty of the USC Keck School of Medicine.
Dr. Yamashita is currently the Director of the Mammography Division of the LAC+USC Comprehensive Health Center. As an academic clinician, she is involved in a variety of clinical research trials related to breast cancer. Her research involves the use of cutting edge technologies, including 3D Digital Breast Tomosynthesis, Contrast Enhanced Mammography and Automated Whole Breast Ultrasound. Dr. Yamashita collaborated with a PhD student from the Viterbi School of Engineering at USC to develop and test an ultrasound probe that would improve the performance of breast biopsies. Currently, she is the National Principal Investigator for a multi-center trial evaluating the SoftVue, Automated 3D Whole Breast Ultrasound, in screening women with dense breast tissue.
Dr. Yamashita is a recognized leader in the field of breast cancer screening and diagnosis and she lectures locally and nationally on the topic. One of her greatest satisfactions, however, comes from 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 continually sets a standard of excellence by practicing and emphasizing the importance of quality and compassionate care for all patients.