Kristen was born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. She was raised in Delaware after her father retired from Active Duty at Dover Air Force Base. She is the youngest of three children. Her education began at the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutritional Sciences. After finishing this degree, she went on to complete the Accelerated Nursing Program at the University of Delaware, where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. She worked as an ER nurse for 3 years before pursing further education. Kristen completed her Physician Assistant education at Drexel University in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. She also attended the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where she completed her Masters Degree in Physician Assistant Studies. Kristen maintains her NCCPA certification to practice as a Physician Assistant. She is a Fellow Member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, and is also a member of the Delaware Academy of Physician Assistants. Kristen practiced as a Physician Assistant at Delaware Heart & Vascular after her graduation from Drexel University, from 2007 until 2012. She has also worked as a Physician Assistant in Orthopaedic trauma and in the Cardiothoracic Surgical ICU at Bayhealth, before returning to Delaware Heart & Vascular as a full time Physician Assistant.