Women in Medicine: Dr. Hillary Snapp
The chief of the Miller School’s Division of Audiology strives for “fulfillment balance” in her life and her work.
In this Women in Medicine Month Q&A, Hillary Snapp, Au.D., Ph.D., chief of the Division of Audiology and professor of clinical otolaryngology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, shares her inspiring journey in medicine.
Guided by pivotal mentors early in her career, Dr. Snapp now serves as a guiding light for others and is driving positive change in the culture of academic medicine.
Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that significantly shaped your leadership journey?
Early in my career, I left a mid-level leadership position to pursue a Ph.D. This opened doors to mentors I would not have encountered otherwise, individuals who expanded my perspective and profoundly shaped my growth.
The decision also provided unexpected opportunities that ultimately enriched my professional journey in ways I hadn’t anticipated. This experience not only broadened my horizons but also opened me up to envision an entirely different future, ultimately reshaping my sense of what my career could be.
How have mentors influenced your career path?
The journey I’ve undertaken in my career has been anything but conventional. It has been a path less traveled, marked by formidable challenges and unexpected turns. Along the way, I have faced many times where my choices were met with doubt, or my goals dismissed.
I hope that after working with me, trainees and early-career clinicians envision their future in an entirely new light, one filled with endless possibilities and boundless potential.
—Dr. Hillary Snapp
The unwavering support of the mentors in my life has been a guiding light, helping me to forge ahead, build resilience and grow in ways I never expected. I carry a piece of each of these mentors within me, their influence woven into the fabric of who I am today. In my work I strive to emulate the lessons they have taught me, paying forward the impact they have had on my journey.
How do you balance your personal and professional responsibilities?
I don’t view the concept of work-life balance as a realistic or healthy goal. Our life can never really be perfectly balanced and striving for such can leave us feeling more like we are failing than succeeding.
Rather, I strive for fulfillment balance. The things we spend our time on in both our personal and professional life can be fulfilling. Likewise, both can require hard work. Life ebbs and flows and, with that, so do our priorities and responsibilities.
There are times where my work takes priority, and I dedicate more of my time and effort towards those priorities. But that work, and the achievements that come with it, not only fulfill me but also energize and motivate me. For me, it is about practicing being fully present, whether inside or outside of the office, and setting boundaries. Indeed, there are times where I am more or less successful at this. It’s helpful for me to focus my time and energy on the things that I feel confident I can make a meaningful contribution to.
What legacy do you hope to leave behind in your field?
I just hope that the work I do creates a path for others in my field to rise. Approximately 85% of those working in my field are women. Challenges in female-dominated fields often occur due to societal undervaluation of work traditionally associated with women, leading to pay compression, limited career advancement and entrenched gender biases that perpetuate inequities, even in professions where women represent the majority.
Since the beginning of my career, I have worked very hard to break down these barriers advocating for appropriate compensation, creating opportunities for advancement and challenging stereotypes that undermine the value and potential of women in the workforce.
I hope that after working with me, trainees and early-career clinicians envision their future in an entirely new light, one filled with endless possibilities and boundless potential. I want them to see a future that exceeds what they once believed possible, opening doors to opportunities they never imagined.
Tags: audiology, Dr. Hillary Snapp, mentoring, Women in Academic Medicine, women in medicine, Women in Medicine Month