Dr. Tillman has wanted to be a veterinarian since she was in 4th grade. She was born and raised in Southeast Michigan and received a BA in Biology from Oakland University and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Michigan State University. While at MSU, she worked with Christian Veterinary Missions, traveling to Honduras where she vaccinated cattle. She also participated in a spay/neuter program where she traveled to Thailand and performed surgery on stray dogs and cats. Following graduation from MSU, Dr. Tillman participated in a year-long specialty internship at a practice in Illinois. Dr. Tillman moved back to Michigan where she has practiced Emergency Medicine for the past 10 years. She worked with Christian Veterinary Missions again in Honduras, but this time as lead Small Animal Veterinarian to help teach veterinary students how to spay and neuter pets in the local population. While in emergency medicine she developed a desire to expand her knowledge of end of life care leading to an interest in at-home palliative care and humane euthanasia.
Dr. Tillman has lived in the Grand Rapids area for the past 5 years with her husband who is from West Michigan, and their two boys. They have two senior pets – Norma, a 14 yr old Basenji Boxer mix and Oscar, a 9-year-old Domestic Shorthair. They enjoy spending time with family and friends, listening to music, reading books and exploring Michigan.