Dr. Hayden began her studies at UCLA in pursuit of a career in technical illustrating and graduated from UCLA with a degree in Molecular Biology. She began a doctorate program in Microbiology and Immunology and subsequently entered the UCLA School of Medicine. After graduating from Medical School, she completed General Surgery Residency and Plastic Surgery Residency at UCLA. She was a full-time member of the faculty in the UCLA Department of Surgery from 1987 through 1991. She continued as UCLA Clinical Faculty, was Director of Outpatient Surgery, SVA Hospital and Director of Reconstructive Surgery at the Salick Cancer Center, Westlake Hospital. She has had a private practice in Santa Monica since 1990.