Women in Medicine and Science - Karyne Vinales, MD

Karyne Vinales, MD, is passionate about advancing holistic care within the specialty of endocrinology. Disorders of the endocrine system can significantly affect the patients’ daily life as hormones control mood, metabolism, growth and development.

“I chose endocrinology because of my love for disease-based treatment,” Dr. Vinales explained. “I enjoy building long-term relationships with my patients, helping them manage complex hormonal conditions and guiding them toward their health goals.”

Endocrine diseases are more recognizable in their advanced forms, but frequently they result from non-endocrine or unknown causes such as fatigue, weakness, depression and weight fluctuation. These factors can make it more difficult for accurate diagnoses to be reached. 

Dr. Vinales serves as the program director for the Endocrinology Fellowship Program at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. After completing the Endocrinology Fellowship program in 2015, and a clinical research fellowship with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), she joined the Phoenix VA Health Care System in 2018, where she also serves as the chief of the endocrinology section.

As a program director, Dr. Vinales focuses on addressing some of the most pressing challenges in endocrinology, such as the gap between patient symptoms and objective lab results. “In endocrinology, many patient symptoms can be vague and difficult to tie directly to lab findings,” she said. “Educating patients that symptoms alone are not always indicative of disease is critical in improving care.”

To bridge this gap, Dr. Vinales developed a course called "Psychology in Endocrinology," aimed at teaching fellows how to guide patients through lifestyle changes and manage symptoms that may not align with test results. “It’s about forming a partnership with patients — understanding their values and helping them make sustainable health changes,” she explained.

For Dr. Vinales, success is multifaceted, encompassing patient care, research and education. “Success is hearing positive feedback from my patients and knowing that I’ve made a difference in their lives,” she shared. “As an educator, seeing my fellows and medical students grow and thrive is equally fulfilling.” One of her prides is hearing how great the fellowship program’s graduates have become as endocrinologists.

Collaboration with fellow women in medicine is especially important to Dr. Vinales. “Women face unique challenges in medicine, from being mistaken for other health care professionals to dealing with societal pressures around appearance and family roles,” she noted. “Having the support of other women physicians helps us face these challenges together. We need more women in leadership roles to ensure diverse perspectives are represented.”

As a mentor and leader, Dr. Vinales hopes to inspire the next generation of endocrinologists by emphasizing the importance of compassion and patient advocacy. “I believe that showing compassion to patients and advocating for their well-being sets an example for future physicians. Combating misinformation and helping patients navigate complex medical issues is incredibly rewarding.”

Reflecting on the changes in her field, Dr. Vinales is excited about recent advancements in treatments for type 2 diabetes and obesity. “We now have more effective medications and surgical techniques than ever before,” she said. “Looking ahead, I’m hopeful that genetic therapies will become available to treat endocrinological conditions, and that there will be even greater openness for treating transgender patients and addressing menopause.”

Dr. Vinales is deeply committed to advancing the field of endocrinology through her clinical practice, research and mentorship, with a vision for a future where patient care is more personalized and inclusive.

Dr. Karyne Vinales earned her medical degree from the Federal University of Alagoas in Brazil, where she also completed her training in internal medicine and endocrinology. After moving to the United States, she completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, followed by an endocrinology fellowship at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, formerly known as the Good Samaritan Program.

She further her training by completing a clinical research fellowship with the Phoenix branch of the NIDDK. Since 2018, Dr. Vinales has been dedicated to mentoring and training future endocrinologists through her role at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix.

Read more Women to Watch in Medicine and Science profiles