Philana graduated from Tufts University in 2018 with a Bachelor's in Biology and Child Study and Human Development. She graduated from Yale University in 2021 with a Master of Science in Nursing. During her graduate studies she was a recipient of the Nurse Corps Scholarship. Philana is a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC).

Prior to joining CCP, Philana worked as a nurse practitioner at both a community health center and a school-based health center in Fall River, MA, providing primary care to diverse and underserved populations.