Dr Yamanaka completed her medical degree (MD) in 2020, graduating with a perfect GPA. She was recognised as the Dux of Clinical Skills and received the General Practice Award. Alongside her academic achievements, Dr Yamanaka is widely known for her warmth and empathy, taking the time to genuinely listen to and understand her patients.

She completed her post-graduate resident training within the Sunshine Coast University Hospital network and developed strong confidence in recognising and managing acutely unwell patients through regional Emergency Medicine experience in Gympie. During her hospital training, she gained broad experience across Cardiology, General Surgery, General Medicine, Paediatrics, Mental Health, Women's Health and Dermatology. She later worked as a Brain Injury Rehabilitation and Orthogeriatric Rehabilitation Advanced Trainee in Brisbane and Sydney prior to commencing GP training.

Dr Yamanaka has an interest in all areas of general practice and warmly welcomes patients of all ages and backgrounds. She is fluent in Japanese and has an intermediate level of proficiency in Korean.

She is currently a RACGP Registrar who has successfully completed all fellowship examinations in the highest band and is in the final months of her specialist GP training, scheduled for completion in June 2026.

Outside of work, Dr Yamanaka enjoys listening to classical music, playing the violin with the Queensland Medical Orchestra, and staying active through dancing.