Cherisse Anne Wada, MD

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Wada
Cherisse Anne Wada, MD

Cherisse Anne Wada, MD

  • Physician, Fred Hutch
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, Breast Imaging, University of Washington School of Medicine

Radiology

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“I strive to provide compassionate care that is centered on the latest evidence and the needs, preferences and values of each patient.”

— Dr. Wada

What brought you to diagnostic radiology?

Everyone knows someone affected by breast cancer. Routine screening mammograms can help find breast cancer at an earlier stage, when treatment is more likely to be successful, and as a provider, this is a rewarding role to play.

Do you have a favorite memory of working with a patient you’d like to share?

I love a good puzzle. When I was a resident, we often performed urgent ultrasounds. One night, a patient came in with pain, jaundice and a working diagnosis of gallbladder inflammation — but the way things were presenting didn’t quite fit. 

In the ultrasound, his gallbladder was normal, so I scanned his entire right upper quadrant and found a liver abscess. Then I learned he’d just returned from an international missionary trip. His final diagnosis was an amebic liver abscess caused by a protozoan parasite.

I have a fond memory of this experience because I was able to make a difference in my patient’s care, and it highlights the importance of imaging and the necessity for a complete medical history in making the correct diagnosis. 

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Breast imaging

I am a board-certified, fellowship trained breast radiologist who sees patients at the South Lake Union Clinic and Fred Hutch at UW Medical Center – Northwest. 

As a breast radiologist, I use medical imaging to screen, diagnose and manage breast cancer. My clinical practice includes digital mammography, digital breast tomosynthesis (3D mammography), breast ultrasound, breast MRI and image-guided procedures of the breast.

Diseases Treated

Breast Cancer

Breast Health

Languages

English

Education, Experience and Certifications

Undergraduate Degree
University of Hawaii

Medical Degree
John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa

Residency
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Radiology-Diagnostic

Fellowship
University of California, Los Angeles, Breast Imaging

Board Certification
Diagnostic Radiology, 2021, American Board of Radiology

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