Pre-residency biography 

I grew up in Edinboro, Pennsylvania.  My house was surrounded by pastures and barns.  I spent my time climbing trees and roaming the countryside on my horse, Dusty.  My family called me Tonka because it was so close to my name and I was such a Tomboy.  They tried to counteract that with years of dancing and music lessons.   I still enjoy dance and play several instruments, piano, alto saxophone, baritone saxophone, guitar, and bagpipes. 

   In high school, I had planned to become an aerospace engineer and then an astronaut. In tenth grade I did something that changed my life.  I became an emergency medical technician at a local ambulance.  On my first ambulance call I got to help save the life of one of my high school friends.  I knew that night there was no better profession in existence other than medicine.  I could help people which was what I loved to do.  I also trained as a firefighter and continued to volunteer in EMS until I started medical school. 

    I attended Edinboro University of Pennsylvania for my premedicine Biology degree.  Then I went on to attend Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.  In my senior year of medical school I met my wonderful husband, Matthew.  He was a first year medical student who happened to be learning how to perform history and physicals at the hospital where I was rotating.  We were married in December 2002.  I started my residency at Meadville Medical Center in Meadville, PA.  I spent a wonderful year there, but due to financial reasons the program was closing.  I was fortunate enough to find out that Altoona had positions available.  I met with the great people here and knew exactly where I belonged.  I am looking forward to working with the wonderful doctors and staff in Altoona for the next two years.

    When I graduate from residency my husband will be graduating from LECOM.  Matt is in the army so we will be moving about  for several years.  Eventually we hope to settle in a rural community to practice medicine and raise a family.

    In my free time I enjoy playing music, writing poetry, sketching, downhill skiing, canoeing, and bicycling.  Most of all I love spending time with my husband, Matt, my dog, Daisy Mae, and my two cats, Sugar and Spice.