Member Spotlight: Dr. Sonya Sproul-Hammond, DMD Finding Life Balance through Giving Back and Setting Priorities - Reprinted from January/February 2023 Newsletter

 For Army National Guard veteran, Dr. Sproul, service is what drew her into dentistry. Her father, Dr. William B. Sproul, was a dentist and Sonja didn’t think she would follow in his footsteps until after she went on a dental mission trip to Belize with him as a high school student. There she discovered the joy of serving and the travel opportunities that can accompany the dental profession, later volunteering on humanitarian trips to both Africa and Honduras. She was also attracted to the artistic and creative aspects of the field. She now helps encourage other young women to join dentistry by having them shadow her at her practice.

Today Dr. Sproul makes giving back an important part of her practice's philosophy. Although she is not currently making international dental trips, Sonja has partnered with local organizations, such as Catholic Community Service’s Refugee and Immigrant Services Program (RISP) to give back at her practice. When one of her patients told her about women refugees from Afghanistan who needed dental work she did not hesitate to help. She sees those she helps during her normal working hours, “It’s a nice way that I can still feel like I’m contributing my skills and really making a big difference in someone’s life ."

When asked about advice for women going into dentistry who plan to have families and want a good work-life balance, Dr. Sproul shares how this was possible for her, crediting her dad for his advice. He told her that having a financial plan from the beginning would allow her the opportunity to try and get ahead quickly.

Heading his advice to set herself up financially has afforded Dr. Sproul the flexibility that she has today, allowing her to do the work she loves and have time with her baby too. When she discovered she was pregnant, she had the flexibility to shift her schedule to three days a week. Another key to her successful work-life balance was is being part of a community of other women dentists with children who understand the challenge and are willing to help each other when emergencies arise.