She is a native Floridian who was born in Miami. Dr. Gruber attended the University of California at Berkeley where she graduated with honors with a double major in Molecular Biology and Ethnic Studies and a minor in Fine Art. She continued her studies at the University of Illinois Medical Scholars Program for combined MD and PhD Degrees. During this time, she also continued her artistic pursuits in sculpture, drawing, painting and etching. Dr. Gruber found that the specialty of Plastic Surgery would allow her to utilize her artistic talent in combination with her interest in medicine. She was accepted to the highly-acclaimed combined General and Plastic Surgery residency program at Washington University where she learned the art and science of plastic surgery.