Rachel O’Connell had a bright future in medical research. After graduating with a biomedical engineering degree, she landed a job at the prestigious Duke University Medical Center. Within three years, she contributed to 15 scholarly articles published in esteemed medical journals. Despite her success, however, she heard the calling of a different career - the practice of medicine.

Today, Rachel O’Connell, MD, sees patients at OB/GYN Associates of St. Luke’s in Palmerton and Tamaqua. As an obstetrician, she cares for women during preconception, pregnancy, childbirth and the first several weeks following delivery. As a gynecologist, she diagnoses and treats conditions involving the female reproductive system.

Years earlier, while at Duke, she had an epiphany. She realized working with patients is what she most liked about her job. Instead of researching medicine, she wanted to practice it.

“While conducting research, I gained personal and professional satisfaction from working with patients and making a positive difference in their lives,” she said.

So, she enrolled in the medical school of Duke’s fiercest rival, the University of North Carolina (UNC) in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, just 10 miles down Tobacco Road from Duke’s Durham Campus. At UNC, she found her passion for obstetrics and gynecology. She enjoyed caring for patients during their pregnancies and being there to deliver their babies. Also, the promise of developing relationships with patients over their lifetimes attracted her to the profession.

After graduating, Dr. O’Connell completed a four-year residency at the University of Rochester School of Medicine, where she had earned her undergraduate degree nearly a decade earlier. There, she obtained high-quality training in high-risk obstetrics and hands-on training in various surgical techniques, including Da Vinci (robotic) assisted hysterectomy. During her residency, she received awards for excellence in academics, research, female pelvic medicine and minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.

Raised in Hellertown, just south of Bethlehem, after graduation Dr. O’Connell wanted to find a position closer to home.

“I was drawn to St. Luke’s because of its camaraderie and concern for its employees’ health and well-being,” she said. “St. Luke’s wants its physicians and other staff to be successful and have a healthy work-life balance. This is important because if you can’t refill the cup, you have nothing left to give your patients.”

Her clinical interests include contraception and family planning, fertility, obstetrics, breast-feeding medicine, postpartum mood disorders, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, uterine fibroids, chronic pelvic pain, sexual dysfunction, LGBTQ health, urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and menopausal medicine.

Dr. O’Connell particularly likes caring for women with severe and painful endometriosis. Many of them have seen several doctors who didn’t believe their symptoms were real. Treating them and helping them to be and feel better is rewarding. She’s also interested in treating non-binary and transgender individuals and takes their care very seriously, acknowledging that they have specific needs.

“I look forward to seeing my patients in the exam room and talking with them one to one about their concerns,” she said. “I enjoy hearing their life stories. I’m an adviser and educator. I’m here to empower patients by informing them about their conditions and options so they can make the best decisions. Patients know their bodies best.”

Dr. O’Connell enjoys working in Palmerton and Tamaqua because there are fewer OB/GYNs in the area, increasing access to high-level OB/GYN services is rewarding.

“A few times every day, I encounter someone who hasn’t seen an OB/GYN for several years,” she said. “Their OB/GYN retired, and they didn’t want to drive to the Lehigh Valley to see a new doctor. They’re always happy to see me. I tell them, ‘Better late than never’ because bad things can happen when people put off their GYN visits.”

For example, she has seen patients diagnosed with advanced breast and ovarian cancer that would have been more treatable if identified earlier during a routine annual exam.

“One message I would like to convey is that women should feel empowered to prioritize care for themselves,” she said. “They should make sure they see their doctors routinely.”

To schedule an appointment with Dr. O’Connell in Palmerton, call 272-639-5400 and in Tamaqua, 484-426-2520.