Dr. Shanks is originally from San Francisco and received her bachelor of arts degree from Pitzer College, a member of the Claremont Colleges in Claremont, California. She then returned to the Bay Area to pursue a career as a podiatric surgeon at the California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University in Oakland. Afterwards, she relocated to her home town of San Francisco to complete a rigorous three-year surgical residency at St. Mary's Medical Center. She has worked with many stellar podiatric physicians and surgeons throughout the Bay Area. Her training encompassed elective forefoot surgery, reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, trauma, as well as diabetic limb salvage. Her personal interests include biomechanics, orthotics, and sports medicine. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, backpacking, and travelling.