Dr. Hecker began her career in dentistry as a dental laboratory technician. She completed the Maxillofacial Technician training program at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. She later earned her DDS at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas.

She practiced general dentistry at the US Public Health Clinic in Anchorage, Alaska prior to completing her prosthodontic residency and MS at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine. Dr. Hecker was employed by Gunderson Lutheran Medical Center in LaCrosse, WI prior to moving to Minneapolis where she was the Director of the Maxillofacial Prosthetic Clinic from 1998 until 2003.

Dr. Hecker is a Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics and a Fellow of the American College of Prosthodontists. She is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics, a Fellow of the Academy of Prosthodontics, a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), Minnesota Dental Association (MDA) and has served on the House of Delegates for the MDA. Most recently she has been appointed to the Professional Staff at Children's Hospital as a consultant for the Cleft Lip and Palate Team and is the Prosthodontist consultant to the Minnesota Board of Dentistry.