Meet Dr. Rachel Horak
Outside the clinic, Rachel enjoys swimming, hiking, traveling with her husband, and spending time with her dog, Nala, who may occasionally join her at the office. She loves learning new things, spending time with her nieces and nephews, and usually has one or two creative projects underway.
Rachel brings that same curiosity, patience, and genuine care to her work with children and families.
Pediatric Nurse Practioner
Rachel is a pediatric nurse practitioner who specializes in medication management for children and adolescents with ADHD, anxiety, and depression. With a strong background in pediatric care, Rachel takes a thoughtful, individualized approach that considers the whole child—not just a diagnosis or medication.
She creates a supportive environment where children, teens, and families feel heard, respected, and comfortable asking questions.
Rachel Horak
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Rachel Horak,
DNP, ARNP, CPNP-PC
These experiences gave her a broad understanding of children’s health and reinforced the importance of listening carefully to young people and their families.
Rachel earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Washington, specializing in Pediatric Primary Care. Much of her clinical training took place in rural and underserved communities, where limited access to specialty resources strengthened her independence, clinical decision-making, and resourcefulness.
These experiences also deepened her commitment to collaborative, whole-child care.
Patient education is central to Rachel’s approach. She takes time to explain what may be contributing to symptoms, how medications work, what families can expect from treatment, and why certain options may be recommended. Her goal is not simply to prescribe medication, but to help children, teens, and families understand the why behind their care and feel informed and confident in the decisions they make together.
Rachel believes young people deserve an active voice in their healthcare. She creates a welcoming environment where children and teens can ask questions, share concerns, and participate in treatment decisions. She also partners closely with families and, when appropriate, therapists, schools, primary care providers, and other members of the care team.
Much of Rachel’s nursing career has been at Seattle Children’s Hospital, where she supported children and families in a range of clinical settings, including intensive care, outpatient services, and case coordination.
Education | Licensures & Credentials
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
University of Washington
ANEW-WA Scholar
Advance Nursing Education Workforce of Washington
HRSA-funded training in rural and underserved communities.
Rachel Horak, DNP, ARNP, CPNP-PC
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
Washington State Board of Nursing
Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care
Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
Registered Nurse
Washington State Board of Nursing
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
University of Portland
Professional Membership
Member of National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP)
What Do All Those Letters Mean?
If you read DNP, ARNP, CPNP-PC and thought it looked like a random scramble of the alphabet, you are not alone! Let’s break down the "alphabet soup" so you know exactly who is caring for your child:
ARNP
Advanced Registered Nurse Practioner
DNP
Doctor of Nursing Practice
A DNP is a doctoral degree focused on advanced nursing practice, evidence-based care, and applying research to improve patient outcomes. Rachel's DNP specialty is Pediatric Primary Care, with additional focus on the health, growth, and development of children and adolescents.
This is Rachel's Washington State license as a nurse practitioner. As an ARNP, she can evaluate patients, diagnose health conditions, order tests when appropriate, and prescribe medications within her scope of practice.
CPNP-PC
Certified Nurse Practitioner
-
Primary Care
This is her national board certification in pediatric primary care. Her training focuses on the health and development of children and adolescents, from routine health needs to the evaluation and management of common pediatric conditions.
A Pediatric Perspective
Rachel's training in pediatric primary care shapes how she approaches child and adolescnet mental health and medication management.
As a pediatric nurse practitioner, she bring's a unique lens to managment, considering growth and development, physical health, sleep, environment, relationships, and other factors that may influence how a child or teen feels and functions.
When a patient’s needs or the complexity of a condition extends beyond her scope, Rachel will help connect you with an appropriate specialist or higher level of care.
