She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1988 from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois. Her Masters of Science degree was completed in 2001 at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She joined the SIU Department of Surgery as the Clinical Nurse Instructor for the Surgery Clerkship in 1998. Prior to accepting the position at SIU she was Charge Nurse on the Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit. She also has experience in home health nursing.