Dr. Petty received her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with a Biology minor from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Dr. Petty developed a passion for clinical and biomedical research very early in her college career as she participated in numerous research internships such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. During her matriculation in medical school at Meharry Medical College, she was accepted into the Vanderbilt Medical Scholars Program where she participated in a phase II clinical trial study for the CMV vaccination. Her research investigating the clinical acceptance of a potential CMV vaccine was published in the Vaccine Journal and Dr. Petty was picked as finalist of the New Investigator Award presented by the Society of Adolescent Medicine.

Dr. Petty completed her pediatric internship at Louisiana State University at New Orleans and residency at University of South Alabama. Dr. Petty served as Pediatric Chief Resident where she taught and precepted medical students and residents and participated in every aspect of the residency admissions process. Dr. Petty has personally mentored high school and college students as well as non-traditional students entering medical school.

After completion of training, Dr. Petty worked at a Federally Qualified Health Center serving as the first pediatrician in the community in over 10 years helping establish a pediatric practice in a much-deserved area. She later moved to North Carolina and cared for children in a busy private practice along with teaching and precepting medical students from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. Dr. Petty is currently getting an MBA with hopes of starting her own pediatric practice.