The most rewarding aspect of Medicine is meeting the people and developing a patient-physician relationship built on trust and understanding.

I was raised on a farm in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. We raised cows, pigs, sheep, and chickens. I was exposed to the farming work ethic and enjoyed the loving support of my family while growing up. My life was further enriched by the influence of both sets of grandparents in forming my childhood memories.

I am now married to a farmer. We grow corn and soybeans. We also put up hay. My simple life is blessed by a loving husband, Larry, and three wonderful sons, Hunter, Aaron, and Brandon. I also enjoy time with my mother, Anita, and my brother, Timothy. By default, I also gained two lovely daughters, Carol and Megan, in the disguise of daughters-in-law. And, thus far; have been blessed by two dear grandchildren, Grayson and Boyd.

As a young girl, I saw how health issues could cause an entire farm to go under. And, I also saw how a community could pull together and help the farm/ farmer survive until better times returned again. At the age of 12, I decided that I wanted to be a part of that network; the network that takes care of people and supports them – in mind, body, and spirit. That is how I got interested in Medicine. That is how I decided that I wanted to serve the people – especially those living in rural communities. I want to care for the good, honest, hard-working, and authentic people that America was built on. This is best expressed by the people of rural America.