Shanna Sprinkle, Army Dependent

An altruistic outlook on life and personal experiences in the military health system as an Army brat led Shanna Sprinkle to pursue a career as a doctor. Following her father’s military orders as a non-commissioned officer, the Sprinkle family had the opportunity to call many places home –the most unique of which was the campus of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

It was here where Shanna’s burgeoning interest in medicine was cultivated after encountering two family-sponsored cadets studying pre-medicine who quizzed her on the bones of the body and mentored her through science classes. Years later and after many more influential experiences in the field of medicine, Shanna has reached her second year of medical studies and is faced with the financial reality that is medical school.

Beyond the intensive studying that accompanies such a pursuit and regardless of the financial challenge, Shanna gives back to the military community –the same community that influenced her in countless ways –through work with the local V.A. hospital. With this experience and in her aim to pursue a career including patient interaction, Shanna plans to work with a medical facility directly associated with a V.A. hospital.