She graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Tennessee Center for the Health Sciences in Memphis. Her naval career began soon after with a direct commission, followed by Officers' Indoctrination School at Newport, RI. She has served on active duty at naval hospitals in Philadelphia and Great Lakes from 1976-1979, and at the Naval Hospital Corps School at Great Lakes from 1989-1993. From 1984-1989, she served in reserve units in Houston, TX and New Orleans, LA, and in Milwaukee, WI from 1993-2005.