Dr. Yardley joined Sarah Cannon in 2000 as a senior investigator in the breast cancer research program. In this role, she serves as principal investigator on numerous breast cancer clinical trials.

Dr. Yardley received her undergraduate degree from Columbus State University in 1983 and her medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in 1988. She completed her residency and fellowship training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. A diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology and Hematology, she is also a recipient of the American Cancer Society Clinical Oncology Career Development Award.

As of 2024, Dr. Yardley now serves as the director for the Hematology and Oncology rotation within the IM Residency program.