Rachel Gallant is currently in her first year of Pediatric Residency at the University of Oklahoma Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City.
At a very early age Rachel new she wanted to be a doctor, as evidenced by a drawing from kindergarten, a self-portrait with a stethoscope and a doctor’s bag. She loves working with children and has always had an inkling that she would one day be a pediatrician.
In middle school, she started volunteering with Hospice, giving homemade ornaments, caroling, and visiting patients during the Christmas season. At Putnam City West high school she participated in a health mentorship program in which she shadowed four physicians in different specialties, further confirming her love of medicine. As a freshman in college at the University of Oklahoma, Rachel recognized the importance of humanism in medicine, which led her to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Human Relations and a minor in Medical Humanities. Throughout her studies she focused on effective doctor-patient communication as an important element of medicine, culminating in a research paper on the topic.
In medical school, Rachel tried to keep an open mind, but deep down she knew that she would be a pediatrician. After studying all of the systems of the body, she was drawn to the science and complexity of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology. Wonderful experiences with the section of Peds Heme-Onc both inpatient and outpatient confirmed her decision to pursue a fellowship in the field.
One of the greatest influences on Rachel is her personal experience with serious diagnoses, illness, and dealing with death and dying of loved ones. After walking by the of side family members, including her parents, and dear family friends through illness, treatment, and in some cases death, she feels she has developed an insight into what patients go through during disease and the healing process. This has inspired Rachel to be an even more compassionate physician paying special attention to the emotional needs of her patients and their families in some of the most difficult times of their lives, particularly in her chosen field of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology.
In her free time, Rachel enjoys spending time with her husband, Phil. Phil is a fourth year medical student pursuing a residency in neurosurgery. They are looking forward to an exciting (and busy) life together! Rachel also enjoys playing guitar and piano, singing, running, and spending time with friends and family.