He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois, taught Anatomy and Physiology for two years at Parkland College in Illinois, then earned his medical degree in 1982 at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine. He completed a residency in Family Practice at Memorial Hospital in LaGrange, Illinois. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society in college and the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society in medical school.