The decision to become a nurse came easily for Alyssa. It was a seed that was planted when she volunteered at a local hospital growing up.

"I wanted to help people and knew I wanted to be closer to patients than the doctors are," she said. "I wanted to really get to know people."

When she was a nurse in critical care, she saw how a lack of prevention could affect a person. That inspired her to focus on primary care.

"I wanted to be more proactive in my practice rather than reacting and treating patients already in a crisis," she said.

Alyssa grew up in Dubuque, Iowa. She is married with two kids loves walking, reading, baking and a strong cup of coffee.