He attended Central Michigan University University for his undergraduate degree where he received a B.S. in Kinesiology, and Wayne State University for his graduate degree where he received a Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies. Derek received his training in Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine at Wellington Retreat, an in-patient psychiatry hospital located in West Palm Beach, Florida. He has studied and practiced behavioral medicine under numerous Psychiatrists and Addiction Medicine Physicians in the Metro Detroit Area during his clinical rotations.