Dr. Sarah Proctor balances business and family

After completing dental school at University of Kentucky, Dr. Sarah Proctor came back to her hometown, Elizabethtown, to practice.

Jill Pickett

Dr. Sarah Proctor performs a gum exam on a patient at her practice in Elizabethtown.

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Jill Pickett

Dr. Sarah Proctor was pregnant with twins when she opened her own dental practice.

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The 31-year-old has practiced for more than five years and started her own business.

Proctor always knew she wanted to be in healthcare because most of her family is in the medical field. Her father is Dr. Lucian Moreman. Her husband, Dr. Ben Proctor, also is in the medical field.

When she was in college, she looked at different healthcare options and dentistry seemed like a good fit. Many dentists own their own businesses and that appealed to her.

When she opened her business, she was pregnant with twins. Everyone looked at her like she was crazy, she said.

Her husband was her main encourager and backed her up at home.

“It’s important for me that people know my husband is probably one of the number one reasons I opened my own practice,” she said.

The timing also worked out well. Because she was opening her own business she had extra time at home with the twins before returning to work.

She runs her business with family in mind with office hours so her and her staff can get home to their families earlier and the office is closed on Fridays.

“It’s a very family friendly office and a family oriented environment,” Annie Brown, office coordinator, said.

Brown has been with the practice since it opened three years ago. Because the work schedule is family friendly Brown called it the “perfect schedule.”

Proctors’ dad influenced some of her business practices. Growing up, she saw how he juggled his work and family. He was rarely missing from ball games or family events. Even with long hours as an OB/GYN he didn’t miss much. Along with her dad, her mom was also a good role model for Proctor. She was an influence on how to be a good mom and wife.

She’s enjoyed practicing in her hometown. Many patients knew her from her childhood or know her dad. Being close to home also means there is family around to help with the twins.

Her twins, a boy and a girl, love playing outside and keep her hands full.

“It’s very busy but so much fun,” Proctor said.

She can’t put into words how she enjoys seeing them react to one another, seeing their personalities develop and watching them play, she said.

“We enjoy relaxing at home and being goofy together,” she said.

The secret, she said, to balancing work and family is leaving work at the office. Paperwork and other things are all left at work, and when she’s home, she’s there for her family.

Her husband also has a busy career but he, too, leaves work at work.

Proctor also is involved in the community as a CASA Angel, a volunteer who helps organize the fundraising for CASA of the Heartland.

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. Its mission is to support and promote volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children in the family court system.

She got involved after seeing her brother and sister-in-law become involved with the organization. Hearing about it from them made her realize it was a good fit for her.

In her practice, she sees lots of kids who need help and if she can do anything to help she’s “all for it.”

Brown said that’s typical of Proctor and she is grateful for the attitude she displays towards the staff and patients. At work, Proctor allows staff to grow and develop in their field, Brown said.

“She’s someone who never does anything for the glory of herself, ever,” Brown said.

Becca Owsley can be reached at (270) 505-1741 or bowsley@thenewsenterprise.com.

Getting to know Sarah Proctor:
Favorite television show: “Grey’s Anatomy”
Favorite movie: “Pretty Woman”
Hobbies: Eating out, cooking, gardening
Pets: Two dogs, a terrier mix and 2-year-old lab.
Advice: Her parents taught their children that they could achieve anything with hard work. 
Family: Husband, Dr. Ben Proctor; and 3-year-old twins, Charlie and Lydia