Shi “Sherrie” Yu, MD, chose to specialize in hematology/oncology because it allows her to connect meaningfully with her patients as they embark on a journey that can be difficult and overwhelming. She focuses her clinical practice on gastrointestinal and lung malignancies.
During her training, Dr. Yu worked in large urban centers with many underserved populations, where patients often struggled to navigate a complex health care system. From this experience, she developed an interest in quality improvement.
Among her research priorities is optimizing the efficiency of health care delivery to patients, so they can concentrate on getting well. She has also participated in preclinical lung cancer drug studies and other clinical outcome studies.
Dr. Yu is proficient in Mandarin and medical Spanish. In her free time, she enjoys yoga and exploring new restaurants with family and friends.
She grew up in Orange County and spent several years in Texas before returning to Southern California. For her, being in Orange County and serving her hometown community feels like a full-circle moment.
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“Medicine, and particularly oncology, requires an individualized approach. As part of the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center at Keck Medicine of USC, we call on cutting-edge technology to study the molecular characteristics of every patient’s disease and use this data to shape their treatments.
“From the moment a patient walks in, I want them to know I recognize their trust in me as an incredible gift. My biggest goal is to establish a relationship where they understand that I’m their health care advocate and partner — a privilege I don’t take lightly.”
