Rachael Mangiore’s Sicilian heritage instilled strong family ties, so it’s no surprise she longed to return to her Washington University family.
What is your current title and how long have you been with Oto?
I am a clinical audiologist with the adult audiology team, and I have been with Washington University for almost five years now. I am a proud graduate from the Program in Audiology and Communication Sciences (PACS), and I worked as a clinical audiologist at Missouri Baptist for six years before returning to WashU.
What do you like most about your work here?
Like most of us, I think the ability to make a difference in someone’s life is the most appealing aspect of this job. Improving someone’s ability to communicate, in whichever capacity we do it, is one of the most important and rewarding services we can provide to our patients.
Did something influence you to want to work at WashU?
During graduate school, I completed my fourth year externship at the Center for Advanced Medicine and loved it! It was always my goal to come back and work in WashU Adult Audiology, if possible.
What was your childhood like?
I was born and raised in St. Louis and only left to attend college, which wasn’t far – Truman State. I am truly a homebody at heart. My dad is from Sicily and my mom from St. Louis, but I spent a lot of my younger childhood at my nonna and nonno’s house listening to my dad and his family talk about their lives in Sicily. This sparked the travel bug in me at a young age. I wanted to get there so badly!
What spare time activities bring you the most joy?
My husband Mike and I spend most of our time hanging out with our dog Layla and visiting family. We especially love hanging out with our nieces and nephews! Mike’s family is from Columbia, MO, so we spend a lot of time there on weekends.
We do love to travel any chance we get. It’s tough to pick what have been our favorite destinations, but that list would certainly include Fripp Island, South Carolina; Paros Island in Greece, and my dad’s hometown of Castelvetrano in Sicily.
Is there a special something at the top of your bucket list, and why?
My goal is to see and experience as much of the world as possible, both in and out of the U.S.
Do you have a favorite indulgence?
I have a few indulgences; it’s hard to pick a favorite. All are definitely guilty pleasures. Bravo shows get me every time, especially Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Below Deck.