David Folden, M.D., was born in Minot, N.D., and later attended high school in Fergus Falls, Minn., where he was Valedictorian of his high school class. He then graduated Magna Cum Laude from Bethel University, where he received his Bachelors of Science degree. Before beginning medical school, Dr. Folden worked as a high school math and physics teacher and was a baseball coach.

Dr. Folden then completed his internship at Hennepin County Medical Center and his ophthalmology residency at the University of Minnesota, where he received awards for outstanding patient care, clinical skills (Harry Plotke Award) and scientific research (Harry Friedman Research Award). He has published his research in various journals including the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery and the American Journal of Ophthalmology.