About Me

We are so excited to have Dr. Bender join our team to serve the kids of our community! She started her career in child and adolescent psychiatry as an officer in the U.S. Army. Dr. Bender served in the 25th Infantry Division as the Behavioral Health advisor to the CG and as a Deputy Inspector General for Behavioral Health concerns during her tour in Iraq. Additionally, she supported the re-establishment of the Tikrit, Iraq, teaching hospital as an academic professor. After serving her country, she began her civilian career as a child and adolescent psychiatrist.

Dr. Bender is a Pierce County master gardener and besides gardening, she enjoys horseback riding, hiking, and traveling with her school-aged daughter.