Ellen Halverson, 55, was born and raised in North Dakota. She received her degree in Biology and Music Education at Concordia College in Minnesota and then went to medical school in North Dakota. She has been a psychiatrist since 1991. She moved to Alaska in 1998 for a job at the Alaska Guidance Clinic, which is now Providence Behavioral Medicine. Ellen began mushing when she moved to Alaska and finished the Iditarod in 2007. “In many ways, ‘m not a newcomer to Iditarod. I feel like I have so much to learn and master to complete Iditarod successfully. There are always many things that affect the Iditarod, the weather, the trail, health of the dogs. I feel I can do a better job of preparing myself and the dogs for this adventure. I am the most content when I am out with the dogs. I have not been successful in completing Iditarod in my last two attempts. So I am back this year with my furry friends to “get ‘er done.’ The help and support I received on the trail is heartwarming and much appreciated .” Ellen has a son, Peter, age 12. She lists her hobbies as Icelandic horses, fitness, health and biohacking