I grew up on the Oregon Coast and graduated from Seaside High School. Early on, I considered careers in veterinary medicine and nursing, but after working briefly as a medical assistant in a family practice setting, I realized that being a physician was my calling. I completed my undergraduate degree at Portland State University and my medical degree at Oregon Health & Science University, where my clinical experience led me to the specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology. I loved the balance of surgical and medical care and the incredible privilege of helping newborns come safely into the world. I enjoyed 16 years practicing general OB/GYN in a multispecialty clinic in Vancouver, Washington, and now my practice focuses primarily on obstetrics in a hospital setting.