I am a native Oregonian but lived elsewhere—in Europe, California, and Massachusetts—before returning to the Pacific Northwest, where my husband and I have chosen to raise our two boys. Growing up on a dairy farm taught me to value dedication and compassionate care, sparking my interest in a medical career. I worked in the research field at Massachusetts General Hospital, and earned my master's degree at Boston University before completing medical school at OHSU. I am trained in internal medicine and have been a hospitalist, caring for hospitalized patients, for more than six years. I cannot imagine any other profession that would give me as much satisfaction and joy.