I grew up in the Midwest and always wanted to come back. I came to visit the University of Iowa during interview season, and they had me at hello! I loved the program, the hospital, and most importantly, the people. There's something to be said about feeling at home in a place right away, and that's how I felt coming to Iowa. 

I grew up in Pine Island, Minnesota and went to high school there. Then, I attended the University of Richmond where I studied public health and gender studies. After graduation, I joined Teach for America and was a high school special education teacher in Kohala, Hawaii. I then taught high school chemistry in Minneapolis, Minnesota, before deciding to change directions and go to medical school. During medical school at LECOM, I learned that connecting medicine to my previous teaching experience was very important to me, and I knew I wanted to work in pediatrics. I discovered that child neurology allowed me to work with children who reminded me of my favorite students, and it allowed me to think both analytically and creatively. I love the patients in child neurology and helping to solve the puzzles of their diagnoses. 

In my free time, I love to spend time with my husband and animals as well as my family. I like to run, hike, knit, and do anything outside!