Forty Under 40: C. Rachel Kilpatrick

As the first endocrinologist in several years based in Washington County, Rachel Kilpatrick has spent the past two years establishing her practice in Fayetteville, her hometown.

After completing residency training in internal medicine in 2012 and a fellowship in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism in 2014 — both at Washington University in St. Louis — Kilpatrick took a month off and headed home.

She said there was a huge need for endocrinology care in Washington County but admits to feeling a bit daunted by jumping into a solo practice straight out of training.

“Normally, almost everybody ends up going into practice with another physician, but the transition has been much easier than I thought it would be,” she said, noting the clinic today averages about 150 referrals per month.

Kilpatrick graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2005 with a microbiology degree, then earned her medical degree in 2009 from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

Kilpatrick recalled frequent trips as a child to Washington Regional, where her mother worked as an ICU nurse. She also accompanied her mother regularly when she worked as a home health nurse.

“I just thought it was cool to take care of people and use your brain,” she said. “Being an endocrinologist is a very cerebral field, and I like to think about the science and physiology of the body. My job is to think about stuff.”

Kilpatrick has been published in six publications and is a frequent speaker about the effects of diabetes.

She hopes to pursue more clinical research opportunities in the future.

Married with two children, Kilpatrick is involved with the Elm Springs Methodist Church and likes to dabble in photography.