Rachel Harbert transitioned into a role as a patient coordinator at University of Utah Health after a personal journey involving fertility challenges and maternal health complications. Her experiences led her to advocate for improvements in scheduling and support for expecting mothers.
Harbert's path to motherhood involved five years of fertility treatments before she conceived twins. During her pregnancy, she was transferred to the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at University of Utah Health after her water broke around her daughter at 19 weeks' gestation. Following a spontaneous delivery, her son Preston was born prematurely at 27 weeks and lived for one week.
While working in care navigation nursing services during the COVID-19 pandemic, Harbert identified gaps in scheduling for new and expecting mothers. She advocated for changes that led to her transition into her current role as a patient coordinator. In this position, she works to address no-shows, improve scheduling efficiency, and provide support for breastfeeding mothers.
Harbert stated she received unwavering support from the university and its caregivers during her journey. She now works to ensure patient experiences shape the evolution of the organization, helping to facilitate smooth transitions for patients moving between the clinic, hospital, and home.
