According to the Society of Endocrinology, an endocrinologist is a doctor who treats diseases related to problems with hormones. A hormone is a chemical messenger that travels from one cell to another. Hormones are released in one part of the body, travel in the bloodstream, and have an effect on other parts of the body. This helps different parts of the human body to communicate with each other. Hormones are secreted by endocrine glands, such as the pituitary, thyroid, or adrenal glands. Not all glands are classified as endocrine glands – for example, sweat glands or lymph glands are not endocrine glands.
Dr. Kimberly Rieniets has local family ties, wants to build a patient base in Western Colorado
An endocrinologist is a highly specialized physician and with the onboarding of Dr. Kimberly Rieniets, Family Health West has added a new clinic to our health system. The FHW Endocrinology Clinic is currently accepting new patients and is located inside the FHW Hospital/Medical Facility, located on Ottley Avenue in Fruita.
“I decided to become an Endocrinologist while I was in my senior year at Colorado State University studying nutrition. I had little interest in following the usual career path of a nutrition major (which is becoming a clinical dietitian) and I began to consider other options,” Dr. Rieniets said. “At the time I was fascinated with what I was learning in my human metabolism course, and I was also keenly interested in the interaction between nutrition, metabolic health, and hormonal health. Although I had not previously considered going to medical school, it was evident that a career as an endocrinology physician was the perfect fit, so I began to pursue this goal.”
Dr. Rieniets went on to add, “After a somewhat lengthy and circuitous path that involved more education, additional degrees, a brief career as an EMT and phlebotomist, joining the Army, medical school, and graduate medical education I ultimately achieved my goal.”
She is a licensed board-certified physician with specialized training in the areas of endocrinology and Diabetes. She completed an endocrinology fellowship and internal medicine residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, located in Washington D.C. Dr. Rieniets works in partnership with her patients and their primary care teams to provide personalized care to those seeking endocrine care or diabetes care. She believes that collaborating with patients to achieve healthcare goals is one of the most important and satisfying aspects of work as a medical caregiver.
Asking Dr. Rieniets about her time in the Army, she said, “My military career got its start when I received a recruitment letter in the mail. At the time, I had completed pre-medical coursework, I was gaining experience in medicine by working as a Denver area EMT and a phlebotomist. I had just passed my Medical College Admissions Test, and I was submitting medical school applications, but finding funding for medical school was a big worry.”
In her search for funding assistance to continue her education with a medical degree, she came across the opportunity to give the U.S. Military some time in exchange for funding her post-secondary education.
“I was relieved to learn I could receive free medical education in exchange for military service and I called the number on the recruitment letter before I even finished reading it. Joining the Army was one of the best decisions of my life. I graduated from school debt-free, I was afforded a world-class graduate medical education at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and after residency and fellowship, I excelled as a physician and military leader over a military career that spanned 13 years,” Dr. Rieniets said. “I was honored to serve military members, politicians, and their family members, and fulfill my oaths to ‘defend the U.S. Constitution from all enemies’ and ‘to conserve the fighting force’ at home and abroad.”
With nearly two decades of experience in the management of endocrine, metabolic, and nutritional disorders, Dr. Rieniets applies her extensive training, knowledge, and skills to provide the highest standard of care and compassion and strives to uphold the Hippocratic oath first – do no harm. By leveraging her diverse education and training, up-to-date medical evidence, and current guidelines she collaborates with patients to provide safe and effective treatment options. She encourages her patients to read about conditions and treatments that affect them and invites them to ask questions and learn as much as they can about their conditions and treatment options.
“I am guided by the Army values of ‘leadership, loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage’ and I believe these values are what everyone who works in service to others should emulate,” she said.
Dr. Rieniets’ ancestors have served in the military since the American Revolution. It’s been a generational gift to our country that her family has sacrificed dating back several generations. She has received multiple medals from her military service in the United States Army, including the Meritorious Service Medal (January 2013), the Army Commendation Medal (February 2010), the Army Commendation Medal (May 2007), and the Army Achievement Medal (May 2006, August 2006, and May 2007). She also received the Belle Bonfils Blood Center Upwardly Mobile Award (2000) for her work as a phlebotomist on a mobile blood drive unit.
Dr. Rieniets is a musician with present and past roles as a violinist and pianist for groups including the Littleton Symphony Orchestra, Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra, International Orchestra, church music groups, and numerous chamber ensembles. She has received multiple Music Performance Awards (1988-1993 and 2011). These awards were for performance excellence, musicianship, and skill on violin and piano. It’s no surprise that such an accomplished musician, veteran, and physician is a specialty caregiver making a significant impact on diabetics and patients with life-altering diseases and illnesses. And just like others raised in Western Colorado, she’s come back to serve her fellow westerners in the FHW Endocrinology Clinic. For more information, visit https://fhw.org/services/endocrinology or call (970) 200-1899.
