Overview
I have had the privilege of working as an academic radiologist at Duke for almost 30 years. My clinical work focuses on the imaging evaluation of breast abnormalities to detect early forms of breast cancer, and I am particularly interested in supporting patients during these sometimes stressful examinations. Initially, my research evaluated the added benefits of breast ultrasound, MRI, and other imaging tests to identify breast abnormalities, including the study of breast implant integrity. However, in the past decade, I have focused my research on the imaging-guided breast biopsy process, evaluating ways to optimize women’s experiences as they go through these procedures. Related topics include evaluating patients’ perceptions of breast cancer risk and the biopsy process, the importance of radiologist-patient communication, the spiritual needs of women undergoing biopsy, and use of loving-kindness meditation and other methods to reduce anxiety and discomfort during biopsies.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Recent Publications
Impact of loving-kindness meditation intervention vs. music intervention during biopsy on adherence to recommended breast cancer screening.
Journal Article Breast Cancer Res Treat · July 2025 PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of providing a loving-kindness meditation (LKM) intervention vs. a music intervention during core-needle breast biopsy (CNBB) on adherence to subsequent, clinically recommended breast cancer screening and surveillance. METHO ... Full text Link to item CiteNow or Later? Patient Satisfaction and Anxiety Among Women Undergoing Breast Biopsies Performed the Same Day as Recommended Versus a Later Day.
Journal Article J Am Coll Radiol · March 2024 PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine differences in patient satisfaction and anxiety among women undergoing core-needle breast biopsies performed the same day as recommended versus a future date. METHODS: After institutional review board exempti ... Full text Link to item CiteManaging Challenging Patient Interactions in Breast Imaging.
Journal Article J Breast Imaging · April 15, 2022 Managing challenging patient interactions can be a daily stressor for breast imaging radiologists, leading to burnout. This article offers communication and behavioral practices for radiologists that help reduce radiologists' stress during these encounters ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
A novel strategy to see and treat breast cancer: translation to intra-operative breast margin assessment
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2017 - 2019Comfort Talk Study
Clinical TrialCollaborator · Awarded by Hypnalgesics, LLC · 2014 - 2016Pain, Distress and Mammography Use in Breast Cancer Patients
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2009 - 2014View All Grants