With over 19 years of experience in patient care, Dr. Rachael Ferraro, is a trusted advocate for pilots' health as a Board-Certified Internal Medicine and Senior FAA Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). Aviate Medical was born out of Dr. Ferraro’s deep connection to the aviation community and her commitment to being ‘the pilots' AME.
Dr. Ferraro's journey into aviation medicine was deeply personal. After years of hearing her husband and his colleagues express their fear of FAA medical exams, she became acutely aware of the anxiety many pilots face regarding their medical conditions and their careers. Pilots often ignored their conditions, fearing that an AME might end their flying careers, when in fact, many conditions could be managed through special issuance. Dr. Ferraro understood the danger of these fears—some pilots nearly lost their lives by avoiding care.
Before stepping into her role as an AME, she spent years learning about aviation medicine from the pilots' perspective. Now, her goal is to serve as a safe sounding board for the aviation community. Dr. Ferraro advocates for pilots to live healthy lives and continue their careers with the assurance that their medical examiner is in their corner.
After years of hospital medicine, Dr. Ferraro transitioned to focus fully on aviation medical services. With connections to top specialists in fields like cardiology and pulmonology, Dr. Ferraro ensures her pilots have access to the best care when needed.
Internal Medicine
Senior Aviation Medical Examiner
Idaho, California, Alaska and Washington
Hospital Medicine and Utilization Management