Dr. Elam was born and grew up here in Anchorage, graduating from West High. She earned her bachelor of science degree from a college in Wheaton, Illinois. She then went on to earn her Ph.D. from UCSF in physiology and biophysics, and her M.D. from the University of Washington. After working in public health in Oregon and South America for a year, she moved back to Anchorage in 2002 to establish a practice in OB-GYN.
Dr. Elam married a life-long Alaskan in 2003 who enjoyed the outdoors as much as she does. Her son was born in October 2003 and had begun enjoying the outdoors just like his parents. Family interests include hiking, biking, kayaking, skiing and foreign travel.