While Parenthood solidified her place in long-form television, Rae’s most dramatic single guest appearance occurred in April 2015. In Season 11, Episode 21 of Grey’s Anatomy, titled "How to Save a Life," she portrayed Winnie, a young girl involved in a devastating car collision on a remote winding road.
The episode remains one of the most-watched, controversial hours in modern television history. Directed by Mark Jackson and written by showrunner Shonda Rhimes, the narrative centered on Patrick Dempsey’s final regular appearance as Dr. Derek Shepherd. Before Derek’s own fatal accident, he pulls Winnie from the wreckage and comforts her, famously saying, "It's a beautiful day to save lives."
Rae carried the emotional weight of those opening scenes. Playing a terrified child trapped in a mangled SUV beside her injured mother, her vulnerability anchored Derek's heroics. The episode drew an initial live broadcast audience of 9.55 million viewers in the United States and continues to cycle through syndication and streaming platforms worldwide, cementing Rae’s face in the minds of millions of medical drama fans.
