Army Lt Col Mashandra Datresha Elam-Canty is a native of San Antonio, Texas. In 2001, she was commissioned a Second Lieutenant from Grambling State University, Grambling, Louisiana, into the Army Nurse Corps.

LTC Elam-Canty dual-hatted as the Deputy Chief of Evidence-Based Practice in the Center for Nursing Science and Clinical Inquiry and Perinatal Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Maternal Child Health department at Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. 

LTC Elam-Canty is a graduate of Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Officer Basic Course, Combat Casualty Care Course, Obstetrical/Gynecological Nursing Course, AMEDD Captain Career Course, AMEDD Head Nurse Leadership Course, Joint Operation Medical Management Course, Army Basic Instructor Course, Entry Level Executive Nurse Course, and the Command and General Staff College. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grambling State University, Master of Science in Nursing from University of Texas Health Science Center, and Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Her awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (1OLC), Army Commendation Medal (5OLC), Army Achievement Medal (5OLC), Army Superior Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (2nd Award), and Overseas Service Ribbon (1 Device).