Kalli is from Pipestone, Minnesota, and graduated summa cum laude from Concordia College, Moorhead, in 2012 after earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology. She attended medical school at the University of Minnesota graduating in 2016. A true Minnesotan at heart, she continued at the University of Minnesota for her pediatric residency training.

Dr. Hess loves taking care of children of all ages and enjoys working with families from different cultures and backgrounds. She currently lives in south Minneapolis. When not at work, Kalli enjoys hiking, reading, rock climbing, spending time with her 8 nieces and nephews, and being outdoors as much as possible.