Allyson Derrick received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of South Carolina before teaching mathematics and science for two years. She later earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of South Carolina Upstate and spent more than six years as a critical care nurse.

After completing her Master of Science in Nursing at the University of South Carolina, Allyson practiced for more than three years as a nurse practitioner in Pulmonary and Critical Care. She joined the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in 2024.