Dakota was born in Duluth, MN and raised in the small town of Embarrass, termed "the coldest place in MN" with a recorded temperature of -60 degrees fahrenheit. Being the youngest of five boys, his childhood was anything but boring. He enjoyed growing up in the northwoods, spending every last minute hunting, fishing, snowboarding, and golfing. When it came to deciding what college to go to, staying as close to the woods and water was a must and there is no better place than the University of Minnesota, Duluth Campus (Go Bulldogs!).

Dakota did not have to travel far for medical school. With their strong focus on graduating rural, full-spectrum family medicine physicians, he knew right away that the University of Minnesota medical school at the Duluth campus was the right fit for him. Through all the various rotations in medical school, there was never a second thought about choosing family medicine. He loved the idea of building long-lasting relations with his patients and being able to use these relationships to actually practice preventative medicine. Within his future clinical practice, he hopes to also incorporate MAT therapy and ultrasound.

Dakota, his wife Emily, and of course their "Covid-dog" Ollie are excited for the move to Oregon. Dakota and Emily met their first year in medical school in Duluth and ended up couples matching, with Emily being at Legacy's Internal Medicine program in Portland. Dakota is looking forward to obtaining the best family medicine training in OHSU and using this training to positively influence his future community. Although Dakota is leaving the smaller cities, he is excited for the more temperate climate, the amazing coffee, breweries, and wineries, and the outdoor feel of Portland.