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Rebecca Purtell
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Rebecca Purtell, MD, MSCI

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

Primary Location

Primary Children's Hospital

Pediatric Hospital Medicine
100 N Mario Capecchi Drive
Salt Lake City , UT 84113

Riverton Hospital

PCH Inpatient Services at Riverton
3741 West 12600 South
Riverton , UT 84065
  • Dr. Rebecca Purtell is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Pediatric Hospital Medicine Division and the Program Director for the Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellowship. She takes care of hospitalized children at both Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City and in Lehi. She received her medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine. Dr. Purtell completed her Pediatric Residency at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children and a Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellowship at University of Utah. She is board certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Hospital Medicine.

    She has conducted communication research and quality improvement projects at the intersection of patient safety and handoff. Dr. Purtell had a prior career as a high school math teach and still loves to teach. She leads medical education projects to foster curiosity of the residents and medical students including curricula for diagnostic excellence and social medicine. Dr. Purtell has won local and national advocacy awards.

    Board Certification

    American Board of Pediatrics (Pediatrics)
    American Board of Pediatrics (sub: Pediatric Hospital Medicine)
  • Dr. Rebecca Purtell is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Pediatric Hospital Medicine Division and the Program Director for the Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellowship. She takes care of hospitalized children at both Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City and in Lehi. She received her medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine. Dr. Purtell completed her Pediatric Residency at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children and a Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellowship at University of Utah. She is board certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Hospital Medicine.

    She has conducted communication research and quality improvement projects at the intersection of patient safety and handoff. Dr. Purtell had a prior career as a high school math teach and still loves to teach. She leads medical education projects to foster curiosity of the residents and medical students including curricula for diagnostic excellence and social medicine. Dr. Purtell has won local and national advocacy awards.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Pediatrics -Assistant Professor (Clinical)
    Academic Divisions Hospital Medicine
    Board Certification
    American Board of Pediatrics (Pediatrics)
    American Board of Pediatrics (sub: Pediatric Hospital Medicine)

    Education history

    Undergraduate Exercise and Sports Science - Tulane University B.S.
    Professional Medical Medicine - University of Vermont College of Medicine M.D.
    Residency Pediatrics - St. Christopher¿s Hospital for Children Resident
    Graduate Training Clinical Investigation - University of Utah M.S.C.I
    Fellowship Pediatric Hospital Medicine - University of Utah Fellow

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Cullinan ME, Purtell R, Canary HE (2022). Emerging Professional Identity in Patient Hand-Off Routines: A Practical Application of Performative Face Theory. Health Commun, 37(5), 577-587.
    2. Purtell R, Cullinan ME, Canary H (2019). Facilitators and barriers to the use of a structured hand-off: a pediatric hospital exploratory case study. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 27(4), 381-400.

    Review

    1. Sawicki JG, Nystrom D, Purtell R, Good B, Chaulk (2021). Diagnostic error in the pediatric hospital: a narrative review . Hospital practice (1995), 1-8.
    2. Purtell R, Tam RP, Avondet E, Gradick K (2022). We are part of the problem: the role of children's hospitals in addressing health inequity . Hospital practice (1995),

    Other

    1. Purtell R, Yang (2021). Closing the Achievement Gap: a Key Step Towards Health Equity.