Rachel H. May NP

Family Medicine
Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Geriatric Family Medicine
Geriatric Internal Medicine

Biography

Rachel May, NP, is a board-certified Adult and Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, practicing at the PeaceHealth Center for Senior Health. She has a deep passion for helping older adults live well.

She started her career with a degree in Fine Arts, as painting was her first love. Years later, she earned her nursing degrees. She completed her Associate of Science in Nursing degree at Whatcom Community College in Bellingham, followed by her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at the University of Washington, Bothell. She completed her master’s education at Gonzaga University in Spokane. She further advanced her training with a post-master’s certificate in adult and geriatric acute care from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Rachel led innovative hospital programs focused on improving care for older patients. Her work helped increase home discharges by 50% and reduced readmissions. Rachel has spent her nursing career at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, first as an RN, and then most recently as a hospitalist, caring for older patients in the hospital.

Rachel's mission is to ease suffering and advance health and wellness by providing evidence-based care to older patients. She states, “I believe aging can be approached with joy and optimism, even as patients begin to face serious and life-limiting health problems. It all starts with focusing on what makes life meaningful for us.”

"I like to get to know my patients and ideally, their family or support people, so we can work together as a team to protect the patient’s wellbeing, independence, ability to function well in their home setting, and to avoid hospitalization and care that won’t benefit them," she says about her philosophy of care.

Outside of medicine, Rachel is an artist, nature lover, avid reader and helps communities in need. Her mornings begin with painting landscapes in her garage studio before work. She also loves hiking, kayaking, and going for long walks along the waterfront with friends.

Education