About Katharine Yao, MD

Katharine A. Yao, MD, a surgical oncologist at Endeavor Health, provides breast surgery and melanoma care. She performs advanced procedures including nipple-sparing mastectomy, sentinel node biopsy and axillary and groin dissections. Dr. Yao supports patients through every stage of surgical cancer treatment.

Overview

  • Gender Female
  • Personal interests Swimming, Running, Biking

Conditions treated (3)

  • Benign breast disease
  • Breast cancer
  • High risk breast patients

Procedures performed (8)

  • Breast cancer surgery
  • Nipple sparing mastectomy
  • Breast biopsies
  • Aesthetic flat closures
  • Partial mastectomy
  • Beginner level oncoplastic surgery
  • Cyst aspirations
  • Risk reducing or prophylactic mastectomy

Treatments offered (8)

  • Breast surgery
  • Nipple sparing mastectomy
  • Breast biopsies
  • Aesthetic flat closures
  • Partial mastectomy
  • Beginner level oncoplastic surgery
  • Cyst aspirations
  • Risk reducing or prophylactic mastectomy
Endeavor Health Medical Group
2050 Pfingsten Rd., Suite 130
Glenview, IL 60026-1324
(847) 570-1700 Get directions
Endeavor Health Medical Group
2650 Ridge Ave., Suite 1155
Evanston, IL 60201-1718
(847) 570-1700 Get directions
Medical School
  • 1994
    South Illinois University School of Medicine
Residencies
  • 2001
    General Surgery
    McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University
Fellowships
  • 2003
    Surgical Oncology
    John Wayne Cancer Institute
Board certifications
  • 2002
    Surgery
    American Board of Surgery
4.9
(356)
Learn more about ratings
Reviews (136)
March 25, 2026
Very attentive. My Nurse did a great job attending to my care . Thanks to all the medical team
March 25, 2026
Dr Yao was wonderful when she worked on my wound area. Careful, patient, and encouraging.
March 22, 2026
Very good
March 21, 2026
I like my Dr
March 19, 2026
Very impressed with the doctor. She was kind and knowledgeable answered all my questions and put me at ease immediately.
March 14, 2026
Dr Kathy Yao is a very caring & compassionate doctor.
March 12, 2026
Extremely caring and listened to all my concerns.
March 6, 2026
Very nice, helpful & answered all my questions.
March 5, 2026
Listened to my concerns and took the time to address them.
February 27, 2026
Fabulous Dr and surgeon
February 26, 2026
Dr. Yao is a very confident doctor who does a great job putting me at ease. She's been wonderful along the years.
February 22, 2026
Dr. Yao is the absolute best. Appointments never feel rushed. She's always kind, puts me at ease, good humored, and reassuring.
February 22, 2026
Dr Yao is kind and knowledgeable. She explains everything very well.
No rating
February 22, 2026
Great doctor great service
February 20, 2026
Dr. Yao is a wonderful compassionate caregiver. She will take time to hear and address your questions. You never feel like she needs to move on She's knowledgeable and speaks in layman's terms. I am so grateful that I have her as a physician in my stable of caregivers! She's wonderful.
February 18, 2026
Dr. Yao is a very kind and exceptionally competent physician
February 14, 2026
Dr. Yao is a very caring person and skilled surgeon. I highly recommend her!
February 13, 2026
Dr. Yao and the nurses and staff at the breast center are an excellent team: skilled, compassionate, and informative.
February 12, 2026
Dr Yao and her staff are excellent
February 12, 2026
Dr. Yao and her staff the best and so compassionate and kind and helpful always.
February 11, 2026
Dr. Yao was truly amazing: very professional, deeply caring and making me feel seen and heard.
February 6, 2026
Very kind and compitant
January 30, 2026
The best!
January 28, 2026
Wonderful doctor-patient & caring
January 24, 2026
Dr. Yao, she was everything you would want in a doctor during a very difficult time. She was very thorough, explained everything in a very knowledgeable, kind supportive manner. She answered all my questions and didn't rush me.
January 22, 2026
I am so happy to meet doctor, she explained very well, she's very nice!
January 17, 2026
Dr. Yao was extraordinarily sensitive to my feeling. She spoke to me in terms that I fully understood leaving me knowing exactly what had happened to me and what I could expect going forward.
January 14, 2026
Dr. Yao is a very empathetic kind intelligent physician...I trust her completely with my upcoming surgery
January 13, 2026
Dr. Yao is outstanding! She gives thorough explanations with kindness and expertise. Her staff is also excellent. I felt very comfortable and at ease..
January 12, 2026
Dr. K Yao wonderful doctor explained everything in great detail!
January 9, 2026
Dr. Yao inspires confidence and her manner is calm and reassuring. It almost makes me feel like my situation - a bilateral mastectomy - is no big deal!
January 7, 2026
Excellent
No rating
January 5, 2026
Very professional. Knowledgeable, compassionate
January 4, 2026
She is so kind and a good listener
January 3, 2026
Literally everyone cares, I continue to be shocked! The genuine concern every staff member shows is immeasurable. Thank you.
December 29, 2025
I found her to be more compassionate than I am used to from surgeons. They are usually very matter of fact and seem to be reciting the personal pleasantries from a rehearsed list. Dr. Yao seemed to be very present and attentive. I don't know how that translates into the surgery skills yet, but she gives me confidence that she is focused on me and not on getting through the next procedure.
December 23, 2025
Dr.Yao is thorough and very kind.
December 13, 2025
Dr Yao is great. She is a good listener, kind and offers assurance.
December 13, 2025
My experience with the care team is seamless.
December 5, 2025
Dr. Yao is the best!
December 4, 2025
Dr Yao is outstanding. Empathic, direct, clear
December 3, 2025
Dr.Yao is knowledgeable and pleasant. She listens and addresses and concerns.
December 3, 2025
Dr. Yao is an excellent doctor and shows great heart for patient! She always smiles and explains the detail informations very professionally! She is a super woman doctor! We all respect her very much!!!
December 1, 2025
Dr Yao is very caring and capable
November 29, 2025
Dr.Yao is an outstanding physician!!
November 25, 2025
Dr. Yao has an excellent reputation in the community and a very pleasant demeanor.
November 21, 2025
Dr. Yao and her team couldn't have been more thorough, empathetic and patient. Dr. Yao answered all of my questions and many I didn't even think to ask! I feel I am in great hands for my treatment.
November 19, 2025
Excellent care.
November 19, 2025
Very appreciative of the Dr's feedback and explanations regarding future Mamogrsms
November 18, 2025
I was deeply disappointed Dr Yao had not read my biopsy report in detail, thereby missing criti
November 15, 2025
Excellent compassionate care. Team worked very well together. Felt at ease at all times.
November 12, 2025
Dr. Yao was wonderful as was the ultrasound nurse and […] . Her staff worked hard to get me in sooner than my initial January date - […]
November 3, 2025
Dr. Yao and her nurse [...] were extremely responsive to concerns!!
October 25, 2025
I truly like Dr. Yao, but she seemed rushed that day. I was able to ask her one question but I'm the rush, I was not able to ask another.
October 21, 2025
Compassionate care. I felt very comfortable during entire visit; clear explanations
October 20, 2025
I emailed my oncologist about a concern and my oncologist recommended I see DR. Yao. Dr Yao's office quickly fit me into Dr. Yao's busy schedule and saw her 2 days later. It Is always good to see Dr Yao and I very much appreciate her Input on my concerns.
October 20, 2025
Dr Yao exceeds all expectations!She is very caring and compasdionate.
October 17, 2025
Everybody in the office was just wonderful.
October 11, 2025
Dr. Yao is kind, calm, gentle and answers questions very thoroughly. She inspires confidence.
October 3, 2025
Dr. Yao is an informed, compassionate and caring individual. She made sure I was comfortable with all information about my diagnosis. She also was kind enough to make a follow-up call to me and was very attentive.
October 3, 2025
Dr. Yao is an incredibly compassionate provider.
October 3, 2025
Kind, very knowledgeable, patient and helpful
September 26, 2025
Dr Yao was great.
September 21, 2025
Dr. Yao is a wonderful surgeon. Very skilled professional but most of all very compassionate. She provided a very clear explanations regarding my diagnosis and the procedure performed to me. She was with me all the way and felt her genuineness and caring for me. I felt that I'm really in good hands. I highly recommend her.
September 20, 2025
Dr Yao and her team were professional, informative and supportive. I have appreciated all the communication, including conversations/updates through the app, over the phone and in person.
September 11, 2025
Dr. Yao is the best !!
September 8, 2025
Thoughtful and caring, excellent listener. Gave detailed explanations of procedures and answered all my questions.
September 7, 2025
Excellent care
August 25, 2025
I am extremely comfortable with Dr. Yao due to her personal care and expertise.
August 23, 2025
Dr. Yao is pleasant, kind and listens to you. Compassionate and caring.
August 23, 2025
Very good
August 23, 2025
Excellent care from Dr. Yao and staff.
August 20, 2025
Dr. Yao and her team are simply amazing. Im blessed to be under their care.
August 16, 2025
Great doctor very professional no problems getting an appointment or anything that happened at the appointment. Everything went well.
August 15, 2025
Excellent. Dr is excellent surgeon, very knowledgeable and caring person. She is outstanding Doctor.
August 13, 2025
Dr Yao is the best
August 13, 2025
Dr Yao was kind, caring compassionate, and gave me all the comprehensive information I needed. She inspired such confidence and hope, which was a huge comfort, too. She Is so skilled and expert In her care - I would highly recommend her.
August 13, 2025
I could not have been more impressed with Dr. Yao. I am completely confident about my upcoming surgery and know I am in good hands with everyone in the Breast Center at Glenbrook.
August 9, 2025
Phenomenal medical team.Dr. Yao is exceptional~
August 7, 2025
Competent and kind.
July 24, 2025
Very caring Dr and nurses.
July 21, 2025
Dr Yau is extremely knowledgeable, caring and very professional. She takes the time to answer questions and spend all the time necessary to ease any concerns.
July 11, 2025
Dr Yao is knowledgable, considerate, affable, and kind
July 6, 2025
Dr. Yao was an amazingly kind & caring person& doctor.
July 3, 2025
Very nice and easy to talk too!
July 2, 2025
Dr was great, 5 minute breast exam
June 29, 2025
All 4 people were very nice including the surgeon.
June 29, 2025
Dr.Yao shows great kindness and thorough professionalism. I feel I am in good hands.
June 16, 2025
She is caring, thoughtful, and listens to her paients.
June 15, 2025
For someone who originally wasn't gonna get any treatment for my breast cancer I am very thankful to Dr Katharine Yao for her patience with this difficult patient. I ended up needing 2 surgeries by Dr Yao. With her 2nd surgery Dr Yao has made me cancer free for which I'm very thankful. Dr Yao is an excellent physician, surgeon, and person. I appreciate her kindness she has shown and her care for me.
June 12, 2025
Dr Yao is a very caring and competent doctor.
June 11, 2025
I had not seen Dr Yao in 3/12 years. She was very kind and professional and explained what I needed to know
June 6, 2025
Everything and everyone were superb. My mind was put at ease and I feel that I have a complete understanding of my situation and full confidence that my health will be excellent for the future
May 23, 2025
Dr. Yao was very caring, knowledgeable and helpful in answering all the questions.
May 21, 2025
Dr Yao is wonderful. She shows care and compassion. Thorough exam. On time appointment. She made me feel cared for and comfortable.
May 21, 2025
The doctor was warm, friendly, explained everything well. Thorough exam. Dr Yao is wonderful.very pleasant, attractive offices, Breast Center. Convenient location
May 19, 2025
Dr.Yao is kind and caring as well as personable and so knowledgeable. She's responsive to my questions and thoughtful.
May 19, 2025
Dr. Yao was wonderful. She provided all the important information to my husband and me in a way that was reassuring and specific. She exudes confidence and compassion. She is exactly the doctor I wanted and needed.
May 17, 2025
She's excellent!
May 10, 2025
I would refer to my friends.
May 9, 2025
Kind and warm.
May 9, 2025
Kind, caring knowledgable
May 6, 2025
Dr Yao is an amazing breast surgeon and she's very nice.
May 6, 2025
Was able to get an appointment quickly regarding my medical issue
May 3, 2025
Dr. Yao is attentive, answers any questions I had and actually listens.
April 26, 2025
Dr Yao is thoughtful, detailed and kind
April 26, 2025
Dr. Yao was recommended to me by a former patient of hers. I found her very calming and very straight forward about my diagnosis. I'm very glad I will have her as my surgeon.
April 26, 2025
Professional and efficient
April 25, 2025
Very very nice and helpful
April 24, 2025
Dr. Carefully explained procedures.Welcomed follow up questions and provided written visual and summary of upcoming breat surgery
April 7, 2025
Dr Yao is a very skilled and compassionate physician. I feel very fortunate to be her patient. I drive 2 hours one way for my appointments with her, I believe that strongly in her abilities.
April 4, 2025
Dr. Yao was very knowledgeable and willing to take the time needed to talk about all potential situations and options. She was patient and kind, and her demeanor was very calming.
April 2, 2025
Excellent care.
March 20, 2025
Dr. Yao, and I had a phone appointment. The Doctor was excellent and very professional and caring.
March 18, 2025
Great doctor with knowledge and experience. She explained how she will perform the surgery in very easy way. She answered all my questions and concerns.
March 8, 2025
Dr.Yao is knowledgeable and caring.
March 4, 2025
Dr Yao was very professional but very personable as well. I felt very confident regarding her abilities.
February 28, 2025
Dr Yao seems to be a very kind and compassionate physician. She explained all my options clearly. I have not had surgery yet, so I cannot comment on her abilities.
February 26, 2025
Dr. Yao is very nice and extremely effective!
February 25, 2025
Explained everything to me. Listened to me. Anticipated my concerns. Treated me like an adult. Put me at ease in a difficult situation. Did not rush me. Instilled confidence. Thank you!
February 21, 2025
Very good
February 20, 2025
Dr. Yao is very efficient, pleasant and helpful
February 12, 2025
She is very kind and is an excellent physician.
February 5, 2025
Professional and caring
February 5, 2025
She is the very best! Kind, empathetic, and professional. I trust her with my life.
February 1, 2025
Everyone was wonderful
January 25, 2025
Very smart and friendly person
January 17, 2025
She seemed very kind and knowledgeable.
January 15, 2025
Dr.Yao always makes me feel like she has time to answer my questions
January 15, 2025
Very knowledgeable. Answered all questions.
January 15, 2025
Kind, patient, knowledgeableOne of the most competent & calming doctors I have ever been a patient of
January 15, 2025
Kind, caring and so patient. Wonderful physician
January 14, 2025
I appreciated that Dr. Yao explained to me why I needed to see her. She clarified that one term in the description of findings about my mammogram caused the nurse in the breast center to recommend this appointment. But Dr Yao stated that all was well. I was nervous but now understand what occurred.
No rating
January 14, 2025
Dr. Yao was kind, compassionate, and patient with questions. She gave a thorough explanation of the surgery plan.
January 9, 2025
Dr Yao is extremely knowledgeable and supportive. I went through a scary situation last year, which is how I'm now linked to keeping up visits with her. I trust her advice and appreciate her approach.
January 7, 2025
Warm, personable, approachable, positive, supportive.
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