She was born and raised in rural Iowa and attended Iowa State University where she graduated Cum Laude and received a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health with a special focus on exercise science. Upon completion of her ungraduate degree, she then practiced as a certified clinical hemodialysis technician for four years allowing her to provide life sustaining treatments to those with end stage renal disease. Her time as a hemodialysis technician inspired her to pursue a career in medicine, which would allow her to more directly make a positive impact on her patients and their health.