UKIAH, CA., 1/6/25 – Pediatrician Dr. Raelene Walker has joined MCHC Health Centers to provide medical care to patients in Ukiah, the health care provider announced last week.
Walker will see patients from birth through age 25 at the Hillside Health Center and will provide care in English and Spanish.
Growing up in rural Oregon, Walker said she knew she wanted to be a doctor as a child after reading books about pioneering women in health care and magazine articles about organ donations being transported by helicopter for emergency transplants.
She earned bachelor’s degrees in feminist studies and biology from Stanford University and received her medical degree from Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, MCHC said.
Walker was a National Health Service Corps scholar and worked at a community health center in New Haven, Connecticut, serving low-income Latin American families. The experience inspired her to become fluent in Spanish.
Prior to joining MCHC, Walker worked as a pediatrician in Santa Cruz for more than 20 years.
MCHC cited Walker’s emphasis on collaborating with patients and families to provide patient-centered care and to serve as a source of guidance and information.
In addition to general pediatric care, Walker has a special interest in mental health, substance use disorders and children with special needs, MCHC said. She also provides pediatric palliative and hospice care.
In her free time, Walker enjoys spending time outdoors. She recently completed a three-week trek in Nepal and also enjoys crocheting and reading.
For more information, visit https://mchcinc.org/.