Dr. Chassels was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. The family moved to Cherry Hill, New Jersey where Dr. Chassels grew up and eventually worked as an emergency medical technician for the Department of Police, Division of Emergency Medical Services from 1990 through 1999. He graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1993 and from Rowan University with a Master of Science in Teahing in 1995. He taught high school math and science for several years before thruhiking the 2,150 mile Appalachian Trail in 1999. In 2004, he earned his doctorate from AT Still University of Health Sciences in Kirksville, MIssouri. In 2007, he completed residency in Creve Coeur, Missouri. Dr. Chassels is board certified in internal medicine and has been practicing medicine in several emergency departments in southern Illinois for the last decade.