I was born and raised in Plano, TX.
When I was 15, I had a year abroad in Switzerland where I had the blessing to expand my knowledge of different cultures and beliefs while trying to travel as much as I could.
When I was 16, I moved to Pittsfield, Massachusetts where I finished my high school education at Miss Hall’s.
I then moved to Boston with the goal of graduating with an Art Therapy degree. It seemed like a great way to combine wanting to help people and utilize my love of art that helped me throughout my life. However, I took one class and realised it wasn’t for me. Along the way I met a fabulous teacher in my Biology class who I quickly made my mentor. I took more classes with him, independent studies and eventually became a teacher’s assistant in multiple classes in my school and at MIT. I graduated with a Psychology major and a minors in Cognitive Neuroscience, Biology and Fine art.
After college, I wasn’t sure what to do. I knew I wanted to work in health care, but I couldn’t figure out the right fit. I was raised by Christian Scientists (NOT Scientologists), which meant that I did not have medicine growing up. Going to hospitals when I was older felt like doctors were pushing medications on me that I didn’t need. Then I heard about Naturopathic medicine. It sounded like it was a degree built for me with various areas of expertise in one beautiful career. During my studies at Bastyr, I dove deeper into my interests in neuroscience and diabetes, following experts in and out of school and taking extra classes and education. Along with our counselling education, I followed a shaman and other mental health professionals to learn from their expertise. My wide range of experiences and interests led me toward a more whole body and mind approach to healing.
For my residency, I moved to Fairbanks, Alaska in hopes to start a new adventure and adventure indeed did I have! I lived in a tiny cabin in the middle of nowhere that wasn’t even on the map. I survived 60 below and had to dig my way out of mountains of ice and snow to get to work to take care of my patients. I worked at White spruce Medical and focused on my interest in treating with botanical medicine while doing all the things a resident does. Along the way I met my partner and his daughter. They moved back down with me last year, sweet relief from the treacherous weather! We’ve both been enjoying the climate and community Bellingham has to offer. We feel very welcomed here!
Along with my educational pursuits, I like to balance it with fun. I’ve run a half-marathon, climbed a mountain in Peru in the dark, driven over 2,000 miles in 3 days, eaten horse in France, visited 30 different states, experienced 24 hours of daylight while camping in Denali, AK and have had many laughs.