A native of Winston-Salem, Dr. Hunter completed her residency in otolaryngology/head and neck surgery at Duke in 2003, and joined Western Carolina Ear Nose and Throat in July and that same year. She earned her medical degree in 1998 from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, where she was summa cum laude and a Distinguished Medical Scholar.

She performed her surgical internship at Duke before undertaking her residency in otolaryngology there as well.

She is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology, the American Association of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy, and she is a candidate for the American College of Surgeons. She has also undergone special training in hyperbaric and diving medicine.