A native of Alliance, Barbara graduated from Alliance High School in 1962. While in high school, she was very active in numerous extracurricular activities. She was the Girls State Representative, participated in the State Music Clinic, and was a UNL Regents winner. Aside from school, she was part of the Camp Fire Girls Troop that attended the National Convention in New York City, and a member of the United Methodist Church.

She received her BA in Pre-Med at the University of Nebraska and began a career in medicine after graduating from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. At the University of Colorado Medical Center, she specialized in ophthalmology during a three-year residency. An additional year devoted exclusively to the treatment of diseases of the retina was completed in a fellowship study at the Good Samaritan Hospital and Devers Eye Clinic in Portland, England, and earned the rank of Lt Col USAF Medical Corps Oregon. Dr. Arnold is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and a Fellow with the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American College of Surgeons.

She also served in the US Air Force Hospital, Suffolk England and earned the rank of Lt Col USAF Medical Corp, as a Flight Surgeon.

Dr. Arnold has been recognized on many levels for her participation in Professional and community organizations and her contributions to those organizations, receiving various awards and accolades from her peers.

Although Barbara lives in California, she still maintains a home in Alliance and visits here regularly. Her hobbies include running, as exhibited by her participation in the Annual Heritage Days Road Run and her very generous financial donation to the Track Fund. She is also a very accomplished artist.