Rachel Carlson, PA-C, ATC

About Rachel Carlson

Rachel began her career in sports medicine in 2011 while pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training at Florida State University. During her time at FSU, she gained extensive experience working with collegiate athletes across a variety of sports, including football, track and field, swimming and diving, beach volleyball, and tennis. After graduating from FSU in 2014, Rachel spent the next three years working as an athletic trainer in the Physical Therapy Department at Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic. In 2017, she began her physician assistant education at Nova Southeastern University’s Jacksonville campus, where she completed two elective rotations in orthopedic surgery. She graduated with highest honors in 2019 and, in October of that year, joined Dr. Kumar’s team, where she has continued to practice in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine.

Rachel specializes in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine, with a particular passion for helping patients return to the activities and lifestyles they enjoy. Her background as an athletic trainer and years of experience working with athletes have shaped a patient-centered approach focused on understanding each patient’s individual goals, educating them about their condition and treatment options, and developing a plan that allows them to return to an active lifestyle safely and confidently. She believes in treating every patient with the same compassion, respect, and attention to detail that she would provide to a member of her own family. Building meaningful relationships with her patients and working alongside her colleagues are among the most rewarding aspects of her career.

Outside of work, Rachel enjoys spending time with her husband and their two daughters. She comes from a large Italian family, and family is at the center of her life. In her free time, she enjoys staying active, pursuing a wide variety of creative hobbies including needlepoint, woodworking, and home improvement projects, cooking, and cheering on FSU athletics.