In Practice, with Danielle Wooster, DMD
Showcasing the voices of ambitious, multi-passionate women navigating the tensions between career and care.
Welcome to In Practice, a monthly interview feature that brings you real stories and hard-earned wisdom from women balancing career ambitions with caregiving roles. These conversations offer a window into the challenges and triumphs of navigating professional life while nurturing family and self.
Each month, you’ll meet an inspiring woman who shares candid reflections, practical strategies, and heartfelt insights that help her stay grounded. I hope that this feature will help you feel seen, supported, and empowered in your own journey. Let’s get into it.
Intro
Meet Danielle!
Danielle is a dentist based in South Carolina with over 9 years of experience. She is a proud mother of two, balancing a rewarding career with an active, family-centered life. She loves spending time outdoors—whether it’s walking, traveling to new places, or fitting in a good workout.
In this interview, Danielle shares how she defines success in this season of life, what she’s learned about work-life balance, and how she handles life’s daily stressors.
What does “success” look like for you right now?
To me, success means living a life that feels full and true. It’s not about having everything perfect. It’s waking up each day feeling proud of who and where I am in life, having a great relationship with my husband, and also being present and involved with my kids as they grow into their own amazing selves.
What’s one piece of career or life advice that actually holds up in real life?
Not everyone was raised with the same values as you were. I’ve learned this in both clinical practice and parenting. Assuming others think like you can create misunderstanding, but approaching others with curiosity instead of judgment has led to stronger relationships and personal growth.
What’s something you’ve had to unlearn to thrive?
You can’t help those who don’t want to be helped. Change has to be self-motivated. Setting boundaries is essential—both in my work and my personal life.
How do you take care of yourself while showing up for others?
“The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea.” – Isak Dinesen
As someone who grew up in Florida and now lives in coastal South Carolina, this quote stands out to me. Any time I’m having a rough time, I force myself to get outside. Whether it be a long walk, a good workout, a trip to the beach, or a swim in the pool, it just calms me down. A good cry helps too.
What are you reading or listening to lately that’s feeding you?
I never considered myself a reader until recently. Last fall, I was talking with my sister-in-law about anxiety, and she suggested I try reading to get “lost in a book.” She suggested books that matched the kind of TV shows I like, so I gave it a shot…and now I’m hooked and truly enjoy reading. I read mostly “beach reads.” My favorite authors have been Elin Hilderbrand and Abby Jimenez. I love getting swept up in a story, and I also appreciate that reading is less stimulating than TV. It helps me relax, unwind, and quiet my mind.
In Practice is a recurring interview series highlighting how multidimensional women live their values across career and life. In case you missed it, you can check out last month’s feature here:
Know someone you'd love to see featured? Send me a message!
Thanks so much for reading! Plan of Care is a newsletter on career, leadership, and wellness—designed especially for women in healthcare. If you found this post meaningful, give it a like, comment, or share so more people can find it too. Your reflections and reactions help keep this space real and connected. And if you haven’t already, subscribe below so you never miss a newsletter.