Dr. Daron Praetzel, 44

Owner of Arkansas Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, Arkansas Center for Surgical Excellence, Alivah Marketing, and founder of the FACES Foundation

Who is Dr. Daron Praetzel?

I was born and raised in Erie, Pa. I graduated from Gannon University with a degree in chemistry, and received my doctorate degree from the University of Pittsburgh. I joined the United States Air Force after graduating and completed a residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. I was active duty for 13 years and was deployed to Balad, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom as a facial trauma surgeon. I am currently a colonel in the Air Force IMA Reserves at Little Rock AFB. I am part of the Facial Trauma Team at CHI St. Vincent for the Hot Springs and surrounding community. I have three children who attend Lake Hamilton School. I have spent a lot of time coaching their sports teams over the past few years. That level of involvement with your children is better than anything I can name. I am a parishioner at St John Church. I am a member of the Hot Springs National Park Rotary.

What one experience in your life really defined you?

The deployment to the Air Force Theater Hospital in Balad, Iraq, was the single-most defining moment in my life. Being in that environment with that level of war related injuries and being on the surgery team to save the lives of so many was a life changing experience. I remember thinking “How did I get here?” and “And how are so many depending on me?” I often tell people that while operating in a hostile environment with all those related trauma, sometimes it does not seem real. I also say to them that I never want to have to experience losing young service members like that again in the ones that we could not save their lives. But, if they asked me to go back because they needed me, I would go back in a heartbeat. It is the reason why I stayed on after my duty commitment with the Air Force IMA Reserves.

What do you enjoy doing for fun and relaxation?

I enjoy spending time with my kids and working around on my farm. I just started raising bees and I have cows. I enjoy the fresh farm air and serenity.

Tell us something few people know about you.

I grew up singing a cappella with my three other brothers (one of which is my twin). We were called the Praetzel Brothers. We competed at the world competition several times and won several regional competitions.

Where do you see Hot Springs 20 years from now?

I see a continued growth of the community. There are many strong organized groups designed to focus on the future of Hot Springs. We need to focus on beautifying the roadways and our own businesses. We need to enhance the landscape and appearance for those that are vacationing or traveling though. This will inspire more businesses to follow. I have several business ideas to continue to grow the community … of course I cannot tell you yet … stay tuned.