Rachel M. Fidino

CEO & Women's Health Nurse Practitioner

New U Women's Clinic & Aesthetics

Age: 38

Current city of residence: Kennewick

How long have you worked for New U? 1½ years

Describe your company:

New U Women's Clinic & Aesthetics offers a unique experience for women. We're a one-stop solution to handle virtually every aspect of a female's life. Our clinic focuses on treating the whole patient and her needs not just her diagnosis. We dedicate our practice to center on patient wellness and prevention as the foundation of their care.

Education and certifications:

Missouri State University: Doctorate of Nursing Practice, Department of Nursing.

University of Cincinnati: Master of Science in Nursing, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner.

City of Hope, Duarte, California: Intensive Course in Community Cancer Genetics and Research Training.

Washington State University Spokane: Bachelor of Science in nursing, Registered Nurse.

Eastern Washington University Spokane: Bachelor of Science in nursing, Registered Nurse.

Certification: National Certification Corporation, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner.

Certification: American Nurses Credentialing Center, Advanced Genetics Nursing.

Briefly describe your job and how you got into it: I have been caring for women since 2012. I have devoted my entire life and career to being an advocate for women's health issues and being a leader in my field.

After enduring a diagnosis of cervical cancer and gestational trophoblastic disease, I knew that I needed to impact women on a larger platform. I founded The Healing Hands Project in 2018, which provides menstrual hygiene kits across the world to women in need and teaches basic gynecological care.

In 2018, I was also selected on to the National Association of Nurse Practitioner's in Women's Health Board of Directors position. I became heavily involved in cancer genetics when my own family was diagnosed with BRCA1, which is a genetic mutation that predisposes patients to breast, ovarian, pancreatic, melanoma and prostate cancer.

I have achieved a board certification in Advanced Cancer Genetics and am a key opinion leader on cancer genetics. I knew I wanted to open my own practice one day and care for the entire patient, not just her diagnosis. I had an opportunity to start my own women's health and aesthetics practice in 2020 and have continued to see patients full time and dive into various leadership roles.

My heart is drawn to helping our state provide the best care for women and actively lobby for women's right issues. I currently have written a bill to improve payer coverage for breast cancer screening modalities for women who are at higher risk of developing breast cancer. I am honored to care for our community.

How long have you lived in the Tri-Cities? 10 years

How did you earn your first dollar?

I earned by first dollar by babysitting and mowing lawns when I was 16 years old.

Did the pandemic affect your daily work life? If so, how?

The pandemic started one month after my clinic opened.

It definitely threw me for a loop. I had a business model and goals set up to achieve; however, I needed to remind myself that everything happens for a reason and it would be OK. I ended up closing down part of the practice and continued to see patients who were in need of care.

Many practices closed their doors, but we decided that if women needed to be seen, we would care for them. The pandemic set the clinic back by six to eight months, but we have survived and will continue to persevere.

Being the CEO of the clinic, you have to be bold and make brave decisions every day.

I have a strong belief that everything happens for a reason and if I continue to have faith and work as hard as I can, everything will be OK. I have an amazing team who is behind me every day helping us reach our goals.

What was your dream job as a child? When I was a little girl I wanted to be a veterinarian.

Tell us about your community involvement/community service:

I am actively involved in community service through my nonprofit called the Healing Hands Project.

We serve women throughout our office who are in need of menstrual hygiene kits and gyn education. I volunteer at Mirror Ministries and teach women basic self-care and menstrual hygiene.

I recently received a donation of 10,000 menstrual pads from LOLA and those feminine hygiene products were distributed throughout our community to organizations who serve women in need. We utilized our friends at Women Helping Women to gain access to the organizations in need of our services.

I have written a bill that is sponsored by Washington Sen. Sharon Brown, R-Kennewick. This bill will mandate insurance coverage for breast imaging services for women who have dense breast tissue, increased risk based on genetic mutations, and/or increased risk due to family history of breast cancer.

The bill will be presented at the next legislative session.

I lobbied for removal of the tampon tax in Washington state and this was passed in the last two years.

I recently testified to the Washington State Department of Health to update its carrier screening insurance coverage for patients.

The rule was passed and will now improve coverage for patients who would like this service in our state. I also donate my specialty pro bono to patients if they are in need of care and do not have insurance. Over the last year I have cared for over 10 newly diagnosed patients who did not have insurance.

I was able to coordinate their care and arrange proper treatment to other providers and colleagues who would also care for these women.

How do you achieve work-life balance?

It takes a village to be the CEO of two companies and find time for life balance.

My husband is very supportive and has flexibility with his work schedule to help with day-to-day operations for the businesses and at home.

We do not have cable in our home and make every effort to always have dinner together as a family.

My daughter is turning 13 years old and the three of us are a great working team. We are active in our church at C3 Tri-Cities in Richland and try to take in the small moments during the day. It's hard leaving a new business, so we take longer weekend away trips as a family to reset and reconnect as a family.

Do you have family? Pets?

I am married to my husband, Andrew Fidino, who is a critical care flight paramedic and my daughter, Makenzie, is 12½ years old and attends Chinook Middle School. I have 2 dogs, Bella (English bulldog) and Beau (golden retriever).

What brought you to the Tri-Cities? Did you grow up here?

I grew up in Waitsburg and moved to Walla Walla when I was 21 years old.

I moved to Tri Cities when I was working as a labor and delivery registered nurse at Kennewick General Hospital. I left the area and moved to Seattle to achieve a specialty in breast care and gyn oncology before moving back to Tri Cities in 2018.

Favorite book? Movie?

My favorite books are "How's Your Soul" and "The Universe Has Your Back." My favorite movie is "Pretty Woman."

Favorite thing to do in Tri-Cities?

I love going to the farmers market, wine tasting, paddleboarding on the Columbia River, or shopping at local boutique stores.

Favorite snack?

Miniature Oreos

First thing you check on your phone in morning?

Emails