Vilma was born in California and grew up in Southeast Iowa. She received both her undergraduate and graduate nursing degrees from Purdue University. Over the past two years, she has held the positions of both Director and Primary Care Provider for a grant-funded health program that serves migrant farmworkers and their families.

She currently resides in Norwalk with her family and their two dachshunds. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her family.