Dr. Mitchell grew up in El Paso, TX. She received her bachelor's degree from University of Texas in El Paso where she was involved in sports medicine as a scholarship sponsored athletic trainer for four years. After teaching high school and working for the El Paso ISD as an athletic trainer for several years, she enrolled in medical school at Texas Tech. Dr. Mitchell gained further experience in musculoskeletal injuries during her seven years of active duty in the US Army. Dr. Mitchell returned to Texas Tech in 2003 to become the associate director of both the Family Medicine Residency program and the Associate Director of sports medicine fellowship program.