Kristen was raised in the northern suburbs of Chicago. She left for a few years to attend college at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana before returning to Chicago to continue her medical school and pediatric residency training.

Her interest in developmental medicine began in high school when she volunteered at a center for people with developmental disabilities. She continued to seek out opportunities to allow her to work with this population and landed on a fellowship in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.

In her free time, she enjoys hiking and exploring Nashville with her husband and corgi puppy.