I am originally from South Carolina. I graduated from Forsyth, Tuft's and Harvards's Dental Hygiene School. My interest in dentistry continued and I earned my Bachelor of Science Degree from Columbia University. Upon graduation, I practiced Dental Hygiene for five years in a private practice in Massachusetts General Hospital. In 1980, I received my Doctor of Dental Science Degree from Emory University. I graduated with honors and joined the faculty of Emory University as an associate professor at the dental school.

I taught at Emory University for two years until going into private practice in Roswell, Georgia. I am an active member of the American Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, and the Northern District Dental Society. I am widowed with one daughter, Cara.