A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Dr. Chism graduated cum laude from Jacksonville University. She received her doctorate from Pennsylvania College of Optometry in Philadelphia, with rotations in hospital based optometry at Bethesda Naval Hospital and the Kansas City VA Hospital.

Dr. Chism has enjoyed a diverse career, serving as an eye doctor with the military at Pearl Harbor and as the staff optometrist for a large medical group on Maui. After returning to the mainland, she achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force during Desert Storm and received numerous civic and leadership awards during her years in private practice in Kentucky.

Since returning to Florida in 1996, Dr. Chism has practiced as an eye care associate in the commercial sector. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, and a member of the American Optometric Association, the Florida Optometric Association, and the Manasota Optometric Society, and serves on the Board of Directors for The Joy FM Christian radio station.