Deb Messecar was born in Denver, Colorado and attended nursing school at the University of Colorado School of Nursing. Following a period of time serving on active duty in the US military, Deb moved to Portland, Oregon and later attended the University of Portland for a master's degree, and the Oregon Health & Sciences University School of Nursing for a PhD in the doctoral program. She also completed an MPH in the OHSU School of Medicine in Epidemiology and Biostastics. Her clinical background is in geriatrics, and she has been a faculty member at the OHSU School of Nursing for more than 20 years. Deb believes Indigenous people are needed in nursing to bring their unique histories, cultures, and experience to heal and build a better healthcare system