Jonelle grew up in eastern Iowa as the youngest of six children. For the past 20 years, she worked as a Physical Therapist Assistant in Long-Term Care and Out-patient facilities. Jonelle likes to cook, golf and visit family back in Iowa. She moved to Vermillion in 2006 with her husband Michael Hook who is a Full Professor in the Department of Art at The University of South Dakota.

Jonelle is passionate about sharing her experiences with future healthcare professionals.