Kelly Niemaszyk grew up in Streamwood, Illinois, and is a native to the Chicagoland area. She graduated from Streamwood High School. She moved to Providence, Rhode Island and attended Johnson & Wales University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Culinary Nutrition. She then moved back to the Chicagoland area and obtained Master of Science in Nutrition and Wellness and Master of Public Health degrees from Benedictine University in Lisle, IL. She worked as a registered dietitian at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (formerly Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago) for almost six years before deciding to return to school to pursue her dream of becoming a physician assistant (PA). For her PA education, she attended Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago, IL. She completed one of her elective clinical rotations with Dr. Yang and Dr. Ackerman at Northwestern Neurosurgical Associates and was thrilled to join their team after graduation. Kelly lives in Chicago with her partner. In her spare time, she enjoys training for and competing in triathlons, playing dodgeball and kickball, and cooking.