In ninth grade, when I had to write a paper about my career choice, I chose social work. As I became more interested in life sciences, I studied biology in college and graduated with a degree in cellular biology from the University of Kansas. After working in research laboratories, I realized I wanted to work more directly with people. I went back to college and graduated from Duke University's physician assistant program. Having lived in a variety of states in the Midwest, Mid-South and Mid-Atlantic, I chose to live in the Pacific Northwest, which has brought out my appreciation of nature.