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, and I have traveled to Costa Rica (3 times….I’m a slow learner) to attend language school in order to become more fluent in Spanish. I am honored to provide care for this unique group of patients. My affiliation with the Kansas City based Medical Mission Foundation, has given me the opportunity to travel to Romania and Panama.  However,  I spend most of my free time at home, doing the things we all do to care for our families.