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.