Oh Hello! I'm Sierra and I am a third-year dental student at SIU School of Dental Medicine. For those of you who don't know, pursuing a career in Dentistry has been a goal of mine for quite some time now, and I am finally almost to the finish line! Along that finish line is being able to go on a mission trip to Belize to provide dental care, but I can’t do it alone!

A little about me; I am originally from Chicago but was raised in South Carolina by my two parents Cindy and Steve with my sister Savannah. Growing up our parents worked tirelessly to provide for us, but we faced many struggles along the way. As our busy lives and overwhelming hurdles got ahead of us, the dental care I received fell at the wayside. At a very young age I was in-and-out of the dental office getting treatment that seemed to never end. I have felt every bit of embarrassment, pain, and shame that can come from sitting in a dental chair; yet I have also felt how life-changing dental care can be in all facets of life.

When I was in high school, my father passed away and my world was turned upside-down. Overwhelmed with grief I was also devoted to make him proud. I had a moment to reflect on all of the feelings that dentistry has brought to me. I constantly kept coming back to the moments where I feel I could smile without pain or shame- and from there I was set. I was determined to become the best doctor I can possibly be, and to hopefully be able to change even just one person's life the way that mine was. I will be the first doctor in my family and have fought hard to get to where I am today. The cards were never laid out for me, but with hard work and determination-I'm here, and I'd like to think he is proud!

In my third year I have started treating patients and working towards being the best practitioner I can possibly be. A part of that is the opportunity to embark on a mission trip through Abundant Life Church here in Alton, IL. This coming March 2027, a group of us consisting of dentists, hygienists, dental students, and non-dental volunteers will be travelling to Belize to provide dental care to an underprivileged community. The participation in this mission trip will be indescribable to my clinical and personal experience as I continue to grow into the dental professional I once dreamed I could be!

I appreciate anyone who has read this far and taken the time to know a little bit more about me and my story. I am someone who routinely struggles to ask for help, so any donation, words of encouragement, or prayers would mean the absolute world to me! Thank you all for your time and generosity. I can only hope to make you proud too!