John Link is recognized as one of the foremost breast cancer doctors in the world. He actively practices at Breastlink, the comprehensive breast cancer group he founded in 1995. He also conducts research, writes books and teaches. In 1998 he founded the Breast Cancer Care and Research Fund, a non-profit charity dedicated to educating and helping women achieve Optimal Care. He has been recognized by numerous organizations for his dedication and contributions to women with this disease.

John Link was born in San Diego, California on December 2, 1946. His parents were school teachers and he is the oldest of three children. His mother was a New Zealander and his two sisters now live in New Zealand. His childhood heroes were Mickey Mantle and Edmund Hillary. As a youth he was a gifted runner and received a track scholarship to USC, where he was an academic All American, captain of the track team and world record holder in the two-mile relay. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in English literature.

He decided on a career in medicine when his beloved track coach, Willie Wilson, died of cancer at age 42. He attended the USC School of Medicine and graduated in 1972 in the top 10% of his class. He went into the practice of medical oncology and taught at his alma mater. After several years in general oncology (cancer medicine), Dr. Link decided to dedicate his career to the care and cure of women with breast cancer. He founded one of the first "comprehensive breast cancer diagnostic and treatment centers" in the U.S. at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center in 1985. This center has been recognized as a leader and innovator in breast cancer care (Self Magazine and ABC's 20/20). He has authored two books for women with breast cancer: The Breast Cancer Survival Manual (Holt, 4th edition 2007) and Take Charge of your Breast Cancer (Holt, 2002).

His present goal is to continue to care for women with breast cancer and make a difference. He says, "We are putting together the best breast cancer treatment group possible that will give women 'optimal care' for their particular, unique situation. We will do this through our books, research, website and our center."

Dr James Waisman is one of the pre-eminent breast oncologists in the United States. Trained as a medical oncologist, he began to sub-specialize in breast cancer in the mid-1980s at the Van Nuys Breast Center in Los Angeles. He and his colleague Melvin Silverstein, MD did some of the pioneering work on the management of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). He has authored or co-authored 40 peer-reviewed articles, 60 abstracts and 12 books or book chapters.

He has also been a presenter at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Over the past several years, Dr. Waisman has lectured at community forums sharing the newest breast cancer breakthroughs reported at this symposium. He is accompanied by advocates who attended the symposium with him.

In 1998 he left the Van Nuys Breast Center, which was one of the paramount private breast centers in the United States, to go to the University of Southern California, where he became head of translational research for breast cancer at the USC Norris Cancer Center. In 2002 he joined Breastlink Medical Group, Inc and currently is the Vice President of Breastlink Medical Group, Inc. and Director of Translational Medicine at the Barbara K. Robinson Breast Cancer Research Program. He directs the
collaboration with the University of Washington Vaccine Program.

James Waisman, MD is known for his compassion and his commitment to patient care, treating each woman as an individual. He is beloved by his patients and their families. Dr. Waisman is also a superb teacher. The recipients of his teaching are principally his patients but also his medical students and his fellow staff and physicians.

A general surgeon by training, Dr. West became fascinated with the multidisciplinary team approach to breast cancer care in the mid 1980’s. His previous experience as a pioneer in the development of regional trauma systems set the stage for his interest in developing a team approach to breast care. He opened Orange County’s first breast care center in 1988, and over the past 20 yrs has been on the cutting edge of developing a team approach to the care of patients with breast problems.

Dr. West was born in Texas and raised in San Francisco. He did his undergraduate work at U.C. Berkley, and continued medical and surgical training at U.C.S.F. where he graduated A.O.A. (top 10% of class). He started practice in Orange County in 1973. Dr. West has been named a Best Doctor in America and has been recognized as one of the “Best Doctors in Orange County”. He has been the lead author in 20 peer review articles and has written two books.

He continues to be at the forefront of cutting edge breast care issues. He was co-founder and chairman of the board of the Breast Health Awareness Foundation, which is a community outreach program dedicated to the early detection of breast cancer . He has recently been inspired by the work of Michael Porter (Author of Redefining Health Care). Dr. West has made a personal commitment to adapting Porter’s principles of value-based competition to the breast care marketplace.

Dr West has been married to his wife Jan, who is also passionate about breast health care. He has two sons. Justin is a senior resident in Plastic surgery, and Matthew is an investor on Wall Street. Dr. West’s interests include physical fitness, gardening, and scuba diving. He is a workaholic who often jokes that his favorite saying is “Thank God it’s Monday.”