Born and raised in Pasadena, California, Darrel grew up knowing that he wanted to work in a role that would allow him to interact with people. He particularly wanted to be able to positively impact the lives of others. For Darrel, cardiology was that profession.

Darrel received his medical degree from the University of Louisville in 1981. He then went to complete his internal medicine residency, cardiology fellowship, and interventional cardiology fellowship (focusing on percutaneous coronary intervention) at the University Of Iowa Hospitals, where he served as chief resident from 1985-1986.

Dr. Gumm joined HeartCare Midwest in 1988 and also serves as a clinical assistant professor at the University Of Illinois College Of Medicine at Peoria. He is a member of the American College of Cardiology.

Dr. Gumm and his wife Jane (who is a board-certified rheumatologist) have twin sons and two daughters. In his free time, Darrel enjoys basketball, playing the guitar, song writing, poetry, and movies.