By Greg Bates
Correspondent
ASHWAUBENON – As summer rolled around each year when Kirby Crowley was in high school and college, she had a job waiting.
She would work for her father, Dr. Robert Crowley, at his Ashwaubenon dental office.
During her teenage years, Kirby would pull charts, shred papers and do whatever was needed.
As she got older, Kirby – who graduated from Ashwaubenon High School in 2011 – became an assistant to her dad and would come home on college breaks to work.
“It was early in high school when I decided I liked the health-care industry – helping people, as well as owning my own business and having a small business,” Kirby said. “In high school, my dad made it to my 4:30 softball games at Pioneer Park. He was flexible with his hours, and I knew this was something I wanted in a career.”
Kirby quickly knew her professional path would be to follow her dad and become a dentist.
It was also her plan to team with her dad and eventually, one day take over his business.
In May of this year, Kirby graduated from the Marquette University School of Dentistry.
On Aug. 5, Kirby started her dental career with her dad.
The two are now running Team Crowley Dental.
Robert, who has been in his own dental practice for 28 years, is pleased by what his daughter accomplished in college and is proud to call her a colleague.
“It might be too much to say it’s a dream come true, but we’ve known this was going to happen for a long time,” Robert said. “I’ve been looking forward to it and looking forward to continuing to work with her.”
Becoming a dentist was a long time coming for Kirby.
In high school, she was big into athletics and was a two-year starter and first-team all-conference recipient on the Jaguars’ volleyball and softball teams.
After she graduated as the valedictorian at Ashwaubenon, Kirby – who will be 27 in early September – went to Ohio State University and earned a degree in nutrition with a public health minor.
“When she told me she wanted to be a dentist, I was happy,” Robert said. “Many parents would like to have their child go into the same field they are – I encouraged her. She knew what dentistry was about, what dentistry can do for you and for other people. Again, it was her choice, but I would do anything I could to help her achieve her dream.”
In the fall of 2015, Crowley wanted to come closer to home and enrolled at the Marquette University School of Dentistry.
The final two years of dental school included working year-round at the school’s medical clinic and hands-on experience with patients.
Kirby’s fieldwork prepared her to jump into her practice after graduation.
“I wanted to help people,” Kirby said. “I thought about being a teacher, too, but this is the path I went with.”
Kirby has been working with her dad for a few short weeks, but she’s already taken away so much.
She calls herself a “sponge” – absorbing as much knowledge as she can.
“Right now, it’s an amazing learning experience – it’s priceless, and a lot of people don’t have this opportunity,” Kirby said. “I feel lucky to have someone who wants to mentor me.”
The office building that houses Team Crowley Dental has recently undergone a facelift.
It’s the same facility in Ashwaubenon (2450 S. Oneida St.), but it’s new and improved.
The father-daughter duo now each have their own dental chairs.
Since Kirby is left-handed, the old office wasn’t equipped for her.
Robert said he had planned for a few years to invest in new equipment for when Kirby came aboard.
Robert also noted that Kirby is familiar and comfortable with the new devices and has taken a lead role in instructing how to use the equipment.
As she starts to establish herself as a dentist, Kirby is hoping to gain her own clientele besides the long-time patients her dad has worked on.
“I’m hoping to get my name out there and get more patients,” she said. “I’ve seen a few of his patients and new patients that walk in. I’m trying to get those as my patients. It’s a slower process, and it takes time to build my patients. It’s not set in stone how we will be doing it.”
At 54, Robert knows he still has a number of years left in his practice, but he’ll be slowing down sooner than later.
“It’s great to have my daughter to pick up the slack if it’s necessary,” Robert said. “This has renewed my excitement for dentistry again, and I can see myself practicing a long time alongside her.”
Kirby is excited to be back in Ashwaubenon and be an asset to the area.
“Since I’m young, I’m eager and willing to help people and go the extra mile for them,” she said. “I want them to know I’m here for them. I think I’m a great addition to the community, to my dad’s office and to his staff and team. I’m looking forward to serving the people of Green Bay and Ashwaubenon.”
Editor’s note: If you have a candidate for “Where they are now,” drop Sports Editor Rich Palzewic a note at [email protected].