I grew up in Pierre, South Dakota and became interested in optometry as a patient. I completed my undergraduate degree in biology at South Dakota State University and graduated Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove, Oregon in 2011 as a Doctor of Optometry. I completed a one year residency in Geriatric and Primary Care Optometry at the Roseburg VA Medical Center in Roseburg, Oregon. I practiced in Minnesota for a few years before returning to the Pacific Northwest to join Kaiser Permanente.