Etta D. Pisano, M.D.

Etta D. Pisano, M.D., has served as Vice Dean for Academic Affairs in the UNC School of Medicine since June 2006.

She is also Kenan Professor of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering and Director of the UNC Biomedical Research Imaging Center, which studies ways to develop and use technology to treat cancer and heart disease, among other ailments.

A fellow in the American College of Radiology and the Society of Breast Imaging, Dr. Pisano is board-certified in diagnostic radiology. She has received many honors and awards for her contributions to the improvement of breast imaging and its role in cancer diagnosis. She was named one of "20 Most Influential People" in radiology by Diagnostic Imaging in 2002; one of "America's Top Doctors" by Castle, Connolly Medical, Ltd., several years in a row; and one of America's best breast cancer doctors by Redbook in 2001.

In addition, she received the Health Breakthrough award from Ladies’ Home Journal in 2006. That award honored Dr. Pisano for her work as principal investigator in Digital Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (DMIST), which showed that digital mammograms are as reliable as film mammograms and are better at finding breast cancer in young women and those with dense breast tissue.

Dr. Pisano is a member of the Radiological Society of North America and the American Roentgen Ray Society and is a past-president of the Association of University Radiologists. She serves as chairperson of the American College of Radiology Imaging Network Breast Committee and the International Digital Mammography Development Group.

Pisano received an A.B. in Philosophy from Darthmouth College, and her M.D. from Duke University. She performed her residency at Beth Israel Hospital, and interned at the Pensacola Educational Program.