Heather grew up in Joliet and Morris, Illinois, and she believes small town-like communities are filled with people who share interests, which creates cohesiveness.

She served in the Navy from 1994 to 1998 aboard the USS Nimitz, and served five years in the Navy Reserves after that. When she got out of the Navy, she decided nursing sounded like a good career. She chose obstetrics and gynecology because of her positive experience with her midwife during her first pregnancy.

"I wanted a career where I could try to help people and get to know them and their family," she said. "I love that I can help empower women and be there during that special moment; that I can look at parents' faces when they see their baby for the first time."

She treats every patient as a person with unique needs and strives to make sure they all feel respected and safe.

"An appointment with me should not feel rushed and all questions should be answered," she said. "My patients should feel comfortable and leave knowing that I care about their health and well-being."

Heather is married to Jon and has two children and two step-children, plus a cat and a tank full of freshwater fish. She loves traveling, which she thinks may be a side-effect of her time in the Navy. Plus, she likes cooking and baking.