I grew up in Springfield, Missouri in a large family (although it was small compared to Dr. Hestwood). I came to Kansas City to attend the UMKC School of Medicine, where I met and married my husband, Leland Graves, III, MD. Following three years of residency at Children’s Mercy Hospital, I received my Pediatric Board Certification. In 1986, I began work for the UMKC Community and Family Medicine residency program. I am proud to work for a residency that trains fine Family Medicine physicians in an environment where the residents do not have to compete with residents of other specialties for patient care experience. Over the years, I have been blessed with three children, and have received tremendous support along the way from the physicians, nurses and support staff at TMC-Lakewood.

My special interests include health and fitness. I enjoy “working out” and living a healthy lifestyle, and I try to encourage others to do the same. Working with Hispanic patients has become a special interest.  In the past few years I have traveled to Costa Rica, Panama and Ecuador to study Spanish and/or do medical missions. My affiliation with the KC based Medical Missions Foundation has given me wonderful opportunities to volunteer, travel, learn, and improve my Spanish. In 2010 I organized a (MMF) mission trip to Ecuador for 22 volunteers, which was successfully completed in July of 2010.  In February of 2011 I will travel to Honduras to volunteer in a medical clinic there as well as take Spanish classes.  Most of my free time, however, is spent at home, doing what we all do to take care of our families.