Rachael (Hultman) Vanderhoof (Middle)
Question: How long have you been with HonorHealth?
Answer: 6 years this October.
Q: At what point in your early life did you decide you wanted to go into a career in research?
A: Research was never in my plans. Growing up, I was the class clown, always cracking jokes and using quick wit to entertain the room. Comedy was my passion, and I planned on making people laugh for a living. However, in my career, I gravitated toward administrative roles, drawn by the structure and the opportunity to contribute to organizational efficiency. My transition into the regulatory side of clinical research wasn’t a planned career move but became a serendipitous shift. Through this experience, I discovered a new passion: helping others navigate the complexity of clinical trials and ensuring that these trials adhered to ethical and regulatory standards. This work aligned with my desire to help and support others, even if it was in a way quite different from making them laugh.
Q: What is a work-related accomplishment you are proud of?
A: I am proud of being chosen to become an Initiative One trainer for the Research Institute and to help facilitate the coursework of that program to all Institute employees.
Q: Why is it so important to encourage younger and diverse groups to pursue a career in research?
A: Diverse teams often work better together because they bring different ideas and ways of thinking. Not everyone does or should think the same. This variety is needed to help solve problems more effectively and leads to stronger, more creative research results.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself?
A: I often say that “time is a thief,” a truth that has become more poignant since becoming a mother to a now 22-month-old son. My aim is to give back precious time to patients by performing my job with urgency and dedication, and to have the mindset to leave whatever I touch better than I found it.
