Meet Radiology/Diagnostic Imaging Technician Winifred “Winnie” Leung, MD

Dr. Leung is a fellowship-trained breast radiologist who has been practicing in Santa Barbara for the past 15 years. She earned her medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine, completed her residency in Diagnostic Radiology at the University of Wisconsin, and pursued a fellowship in Breast Imaging at the same institution. She is board certified by the American Board of Radiology. An early adopter of advanced technologies such as tomosynthesis and whole breast ultrasound, Dr. Leung specializes in all aspects of breast imaging, including MRI and image-guided biopsy. Her clinical expertise is matched by her leadership in the community – she currently serves as Chair of the Santa Barbara Breast Care Alliance, an NAPBC-accredited breast center without walls, with Sansum Clinic and Ridley-Tree Cancer Center as founding participants.

Q. What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine, and how did you choose your specialty?

A. Honestly, I didn’t start out thinking I’d be a doctor at all – I was actually a philosophy major in college, happily buried in books and ideas. But I joined a new program called the Women in Science Project, mostly on a whim. They paired me with a young radiologist at Dartmouth Hitchcock, and our project involved looking at brain scans after seizures. That experience completely opened my eyes to radiology.

Later, during residency, it became personal. My mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I saw how meaningful radiology could be in guiding women through such a vulnerable time. That’s when I knew breast imaging was where I belonged.

Can you share a moment in your career that really impacted you?

That experience with my mother-in-law really shaped me. It reminded me that behind every image is a person with a story, and that this work is about so much more than just reading scans – it’s about being there for people in some of life’s hardest moments.

What’s a common misconception people have about radiology?

People often think radiologists hide away in dark rooms, barely talking to anyone. That couldn’t be further from the truth in breast imaging! My days are full of conversations and connections – sometimes it’s a quick reassurance that everything looks normal, other times it’s performing a procedure for someone who’s understandably nervous, and yes, it’s also sharing tough news and helping a woman take her next steps with our surgical and oncology teams. Over the past 15 years in Santa Barbara, I’ve even built long-term relationships with patients, seeing them through major life events, and sometimes even caring for their daughters or sisters down the road.

With technology advancing so quickly, how do you see it changing your field?

The big question I always get is: “Aren’t you worried AI will replace radiologists?” My answer is no! In fact, I’m excited about it. Early computer programs were clunky, but today’s AI tools are actually helpful. They can catch subtle cancers, flag women at higher risk, and help us personalize care. The best part is they give me more time to focus on what really matters – sitting with patients, listening, and supporting them through whatever comes next.

As Sansum Clinic begins a new chapter as part of Sutter Health, we remain united by a shared mission: to deliver compassionate, high-quality care to the communities we serve. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare on the Central Coast.

Sponsored by Sutter Health | Visit www.sutterhealth.org