Dr. Schlaifer grew up in Arizona and graduated from Prescott High School. She earned her Bachelors of Science with a minor in Spanish at Northern Arizona University where she graduated summa cum laude. She received her medical degree at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson. During medical school, she participated in a rural health program as well as student government. After graduating she was awarded a urology residency at Loma Linda University Medical Center.