Dr. Jacobson was born and raised on a dairy farm in west central Minnesota. He graduated from Hamline University with honors in physical chemistry. He attended the University of Minnesota medical school, where he developed a keen understanding of the life and work of family doctors.

Dr. Jacobson completed a three year residency in family practice at St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware. During his last year he was chief resident, supervising 17 others in the program. Dr. Jacobson also had a year of general surgery training before his residency in family practice.

He then moved to Rochester, Minnesota and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania so his wife, also a physician, could complete felllowships in her area of specialty. Dr. Jacobson was able to hone his skills in acute care as he worked at various hospitals and offices caring for a wide range of patients.

A veteran of the Boston Marathon, Dr. Jacobson enjoys running and golfing year round, and winter will find him on the ski slopes or relaxing by the Pacific coast. He and Laurie, his wife of 11 years, have one horse, two Italian greyhounds, and two cats.