Dr. Varner grew up in Berkeley, California.  She holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of California, Los Angeles and an M.D. from the Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia.  She completed her training in Family Medicine at Drexel University of the Health Sciences in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she served as chief resident.  She has practiced Family Medicine in Santa Clara with the Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group (PAFMG) since 2000 and is passionate about mid-life women's care. 

Dr. Varner served 3 consecutive terms on the PAFMG Board of Directors--2 terms as secretary and 1 term as vice chair.  She is currently serving her 2nd term on the Sutter Health Bay Area Board of Directors and has chaired the board's Safety and Quality Committee since 2000.  Dr. Varner has also been a member of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation Community Board since 2011.  Dr. Varner is a graduate of Sutter Health's Leadership Academy, class of 2013.  

Dr. Varner believes in the importance of health equity and chairs the Sutter Health Executive Steering Committee on addressing the Social Drivers of Health.  She engages in health policy as a delegate to the California Medical Association (CMA) representing the Large Group Practice Forum; she was appointed to CMA's Council on Legislation in 2021.  She also serves on the Sutter Health Clinician Health Policy Advisory Council.

Dr. Varner is an avid longboard surfer and, on most weekends, can be found chasing waves with her husband, father, and young adult children.  When not surfing, she enjoys cooking for her family, cheering on her beloved San Francisco Giants, and walking her dog, Rocky.