Accepting new patients

Charlene Lai, M.D.

Accepting new patients

  • Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, School of Medicine

Expertise

  • Pediatric Endocrinology

Special focus

  • Diabetes

Locations and contact

I see patients at

About me

Dr. Charlene Lai specializes in caring for children and adolescents with a wide range of endocrinology and diabetes needs. She was drawn to a career in pediatric endocrinology because she enjoys the long-term partnerships she can build with children and their families. She believes her role as a physician is to empower families with the knowledge and tools to meet their medical needs so that their child can continue living a joyful, playful and healthy life. Dr. Lai, along with a multidisciplinary team, works with families to understand their concerns and set and achieve health goals. 

Dr. Lai is passionate about ensuring excellent diabetes and endocrinology care for all patients. Her research has focused on describing and improving disparities in the care of patients with diabetes.

Dr. Lai was born in Rhode Island and has lived in the Northeast, Midwest and Eastern Washington. She is thrilled to have returned to the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, a urologic oncologist. In her spare time, Dr. Lai enjoys hiking, playing ukulele and working on her Mandarin and Spanish skills.

Education and training

  • Degrees

    • B.A., 2009, Washington University in St. Louis
    • M.D., 2014, Saint Louis School of Medicine
  • Residency

    • Pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University/Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, 2019
  • Fellowship

    • Pediatric Endocrinology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 2021
  • Certifications

    • American Board of Pediatrics

Memberships and associations:

  • American Academy of Pediatrics
  • Pediatric Endocrine Society
Read faculty profile

Insurance

Before scheduling your appointment, we recommend you contact your insurance company to verify that the OHSU Health location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network. Your insurance company will also be able to inform you of any copayments, co–insurance, or deductibles that will be your responsibility. If you proceed in scheduling an appointment and your health insurance benefits do not participate with OHSU providers, your out of pocket liability may be higher. Visit the billing and insurance section of our site for more information.

Ratings and reviews

Overall: 4.8 out of 5 (127 Ratings, 34 Reviews)

The patient ratings score is an average of all responses to the question "How likely would you be to recommend this provider to your family and friends (on a scale of 0 to 10)" on our nationally-recognized NRC patient surveys.

  1. We love Dr. Lai. She spends time with us and asks great questions. We also love all the nursing staff and the people at the desk who check us in--they even remember us! The whole place has a friendly feel.

  2. I really like it. All fine with coming to the appointment. I like it. I like it. I like it. Alright.

  3. Dr. Lai has been amazing with my son for years, really thorough and really compassionate and helpful. I wish we could continue with her, but I hear she's moving on. So, yep, that's my feedback.

  4. This provider was very kind and knowledgeable during my appointment.

  5. Absolutely phenomenal. Was able to really break down the meaning and explain things very detailed and made it very easy to comprehend.

  6. it was muy bien

  7. Dr. Lai is amazing. Super kind and nice with the kids and has a plethora of information for the parents. Always gives the time needed to perform exam and to answer any questions/discuss issues.

  8. Dr. Lai was very thorough and very helpful concerning our child, and we just greatly appreciate that.

  9. Dr. Charlene Lai is very informative and kind with a sweet personality and she takes time to listen to and address any concerns thst my child or I may have and offer helpful solutions

  10. Thank you.

  11. Dr. Lai has been wonderful to meet with. She's educated us a lot. She's very approachable and friendly and super thorough. Like, I appreciate her thorough notes. She's great about sending prescriptions and helping us get what we need.

  12. She is friendly m, listens give suggestions and care about her patients

  13. This is our first time at OHSU everyone was so friendly and they all really helped out with my daughter yesterday. I recommend Charlene Lai and her helpful team.

  14. She was very understanding, very kind, and very professional. Thank you.

  15. Very informative and caring

  16. She is the best. She listens carefully and really cares.

  17. Dr. Lai was very professional. Took lots of time with us was very pacific to what we needed. She was extremely helpful and I would highly recommend her any time. Thank you so much.

  18. She was very nice and professional and made me feel better about what was going on

  19. Dr.Charlene Lai is kind and patient and listens to you. You know and feel your concerns are heard and addressed and she is willing to explain things to you and clarify and questions you may have. She is a sweet and kind person and provider and my type 1 child and I are happy to have her as his provider

  20. She's very knowledgeable and friendly. Very pleasurable to work with.

  21. I had forgotten about the appointment & then was having trouble getting logged into the MyChart for the phone appointment. The doctor was very patient with me & kind & caring. I appreciate that.