Dr. Thornburg was born and raised in Waukesha, Wisconsin. She received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Wyoming, attended medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin and completed her residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. She joined The Skin Institute at Rapid City Medical Center in 2004.

Dr. Thornburg specializes in general and pediatric dermatology, surgical dermatology, laser surgery and cosmetics, including Botox and Juvéderm. She also focuses on the early detection of skin cancers.

Dr. Thornburg has been elevating her cosmetic craft, showcasing her passion for aesthetics by earning Master Expert status at the AMI Master Training in Washington, D.C. in 2023. She was selected as faculty for the National Skincare Advisory Board and Filler Advisory Board for Allergan, the world’s leading scientific-backed manufacturer of aesthetic products. Dr. Thornburg has welcomed a national role for Allergan as speaker and instructor to other dermatology groups throughout the United States.

Dr. Thornburg has been selected to be a media expert for the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) on all topics regarding skin. This is a national position, and she has had opportunities to represent dermatologists throughout the United States.

Her favorite quote is by Maya Angelou: “At the end of the day people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.” She draws on this philosophy daily in how she cares for her patients. That includes offering the best treatment available, educating patients on the tools necessary to achieve and maintain healthy skin and never forgetting the medical importance of the skin to overall patient-health. At the end of the day, Dr. Thornburg makes her patients, medical or cosmetic, feel like red carpet guests, and she honors the beauty within.