Rachel Palting, DO
My name is Rachel Palting, and I am currently a 3rd year fellow at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon. I grew up in Chesapeake, Virginia, and spent much of my life in different corners of the state. I majored in English, with a focus in creative writing and double-minored in Biology and Chemistry at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. For medical school, I attended Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, VA. After decades in Virginia, I ventured far from home and pursued my pediatric residency in at Kapiolani Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawai’i. I loved it so much that I stayed an extra year as chief resident.
The foundation of my path to endocrinology was Dr. Greg Uramoto. For years, he was the only pediatric endocrinologist for our hospital system. Despite this demanding role, he was always the kindest specialist, made balloon animals for his patients, and maintained a great quality of life. I fondly remember seeing him play Pokémon Go at the mall during one of his call weekends. Beyond his inspiring example, I enjoyed working with adolescent patients frequently admitted in DKA and approaching their care holistically. This interest led to my first research project, which investigated factors contributing to cerebral injury in pediatric DKA. Outside of diabetes, I was fascinated by conditions like panhypopituitarism, adrenal insufficiency, precocious puberty, and gender-affirming therapy. These experiences helped me appreciate how integrative endocrinology is as a specialty.
Besides Dr. Uramoto, I am deeply grateful to Dr. Jennifer Cunanan at Kapiolani Medical Center, who entrusted me with managing consults like a fellow while I was still a resident. The entire pediatric endocrinology division at Oregon Health & Science University has been an incredible source of mentorship, and I feel fortunate to work with such accomplished and approachable individuals. I am especially indebted to Dr. Ines Guttmann-Bauman, my research mentor, and Dr. Hayley Baines, who guided me through my first fellowship abstract.
My clinical interests are extensive, and I am still finding my “specialty within the specialty.” I have managed several hyperinsulinism cases (thank you, Dr. Charlene Lai and Dr. Alison O’Neill), cared for two patients with ROHHAD-NET (thank you, Dr. Kara Connelly and Dr. Lindsey Nicol), have my own Turners continuity clinic (thank you, Dr. Katie Woods), and participated in neuroendocrine clinics with Dr. Lisa Madison. I also have a personal interest in PCOS. My fellowship research focuses on Type 1 diabetes and sleep. My project involves using Fitbit to collect objective data on sleep differences in patients before and after starting an insulin pump. I aim to address gaps in understanding the relationship between sleep, blood sugar control, and advanced insulin pumps. In the future, I hope to explore how changes in sleep schedules influence blood sugar control.
As I prepare to begin the next chapter of my career as an attending, I find myself reflecting on the many people who have supported me along the way. I am especially grateful for the close-knit world of pediatric endocrinology—and for everyone I met at the PES Fellows Retreat—where mentorship and collaboration help define patient care.