Thorp has extensive experience in military health, serving 37 years in the Naval Reserves in numerous leadership and Senior Executive positions. Thorp earned a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from D’Youville College and a master’s from the University of Maryland School of Nursing.

In her Navy assignments, she served as the Chief of Staff for Navy Medicine East and worked collectively with Naval Operation Support Commands and several Reserve Readiness Commands. In civilian life, she was employed at Booz Allen Hamilton as the special assistant to the Director of Walter Reed National Medical Center at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE). She was formerly an Adjunct Professor at Drexel University teaching graduate level nursing students.

Thorp is a current member of the MOAA President’s Surviving Spouse Advisory Committee and was a member of the Currently Serving Spouse Advisory Council.