Dr. Starnes grew up with eight siblings in La Crosse, Wisconsin.  She graduated from Luther High School in La Crosse, Wisconsin and then onto graduate from the University of Wisconsin Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree.  Her majors were Psychology and Pre-Medicine. 
 
Dr. Starnes graduated in the inaugural class at Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, VA.  As a student she spent time in Norton, Virginia rotating at Norton Community Hospital.  After Autumn's graduate medical education she completed her Osteopathic Internship at University Hospitals Richmond Medical Center in Ohio.
 
Dr. Starnes attended Dermatology residency at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, OH.  During her training she completed research in calciphylaxis, mechanisms of hair loss and clinical and molecular effects of fractionated laser treatment.  Autumn is published in medical journals on topics such as Lasers, Leukemia Cutis, Cutaneous Tumors and Amyloidosis.
 
 
During Dr. Starnes' residency her husband, Christopher Starnes, M.D., was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.  Chris underwent bone marrow transplant in 2009 and was cancer free for nearly five years.  In 2013 Chris suffered a recurrence of his leukemia in the form of a tumor pressing on his spinal cord.  His severe illness has left him recovering from paraplegia and bilateral below knee amputations.  Dr. Starnes has devoted herself to Chris' recovery.
 
 
Autumn was the 2011 Recipient of the University Hospitals Case Western Reserve Photo Medicine Award.  This award is given to the resident who has accomplished the most significant research in Medicine related to Laser and Light Treatment.