Dr. Simpkins was born and raised in Crystal Lake, Illinois, a northwest suburb of Chicago. She received her bachelor's degree in microbiology and immunology at University of Wisconsin-Madison and studied abroad in Glasgow, Scotland for one year. She then worked and volunteered in hospitals for two years, traveling in her spare time to China, England, Ireland, Portugal and Italy.

Dr. Simpkins earned her master's degree in biomedical science from the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science and later received her medical degree at Chicago Medical School. She then completed her pediatrics residency at Lutheran General Children's Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois.

She studies heavily in the area of adolescent medicine and loves taking care of her teenage patients, although feels comfortable with children of all ages.

Dr. Simpkins has two young daughters, who are her greatest pride and joy. She is an avid sports fan and enjoys traveling, the outdoors, playing volleyball, riding bikes, the beach, eating good food, spending time with her husband and daughters, and cheering on her Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers.