She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Health Fitness from Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, Minnesota and her Master's Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Worcester, Massachusetts. Prior to coming to the University of Minnesota she worked in Family Practice in Pennsylvania and Minnesota and most recently in Hematology/Oncology at the Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo, North Dakota. She enjoys traveling, sports, cooking, and spending time with her husband and Golden Retrievers, Chara and Grace.