Dr. Elena Birdsong grew up in Peru as part of a large traditional family where education was viewed as the key to success in life. Since early childhood, her parents fostered an aurora of education that involved the medical sciences – exposing Elena to medical games, toys, and the occasional hospital trip where a family friend worked. She graduated from the prestigious San Marcos University School of Medicine in Lima Peru, where she obtained her General Medicine degree in 1986 after defending her thesis on “Liver Hydatidosis Disease in Peru”. She successfully applied to and was granted admission to the General Surgery program at San Marcos University Hospital, where she graduated again in the top of her class in 1990. In 2001, Elena immigrated to the United States with her two children and joined the teaching faculty at NTCC in 2007. Her unique experience as a clinician surgeon and teacher of medical residents has placed her in a favorable position to help her students learn the complexities of the human body.

Outside of work, Elena stays busy helping her husband with taking care of their newly adopted daughter. When able, she enjoys reading, traveling, and being social.