Sprague, William

By Jennifer Morrison (MI-Stories.com)

S.O.U.L. of Philanthropy

Biographical Highlights

Born in Athens, Ohio, to a family with many physicians, Bill Sprague ultimately became one himself. He received his bachelor's degree at Ohio University and his medical degree from the Ohio State University Medical School. He did his residency at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and ultimately settled there. Since then he has visited over eighty countries, volunteering his services, especially in an effort to eradicate polio.

Historic Roots

Bill Sprague’s father was a doctor in Athens, Ohio. Bill grew up there and attended Notre Dame until World War II broke out. He served as a medic in the marines during the war. After the war, he received his bachelor's degree at Ohio University and his medical degree from the Ohio State University Medical School. After completing his residency in Grand Rapids in 1956, he went into private practice with his father and older brother in his hometown of Athens, Ohio. Four years later, he moved to Grand Rapids as a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology. In 2001, he published two books about notable physicians.

Importance

Visiting over eighty countries as a volunteer, Dr. Sprague has spread medical equipment and supplies, knowledge and service literally throughout the world. In his travels, he has not avoided war-torn regions such as Darfur and Afghanistan. He vowed to eradicate polio and made major leaps towards that goal.

Ties to the Philanthropic Sector

Beginning in 1962, Sprague spent a considerable amount of time traveling around the world to offer free medical services as well as to lead efforts to contribute medical equipment and supplies to poor countries. He has visited over eighty different foreign countries. As a volunteer for Rotary International and the World Health Organization, Dr. Sprague played a major role in eradicating polio outside the USA. He also volunteered his time at free clinics in Grand Rapids. Sprague served on the boards of United Way, the American Cancer Society, and Indian Trails Camp. With his wife, Norma, Sprague has contributed to the Grand Rapids Community Foundation to provide scholarships for students attending Ohio University.

Key Related Ideas

From a family of Ohio physicians, Dr. Sprague completed his education in Ohio, but his residency and most of his career in Grand Rapids. During World War II, he served as a medic, assisting men who were injured in combat. Throughout his career, he offered his services as a volunteer, assisting people with medical needs in Grand Rapids and throughout the world. He was especially concerned with eradicating the disease polio.

Important People Related to the Topic

• Benjamin Rush: A Revolutionary war era physician and philanthropist, the American Medical Association named one of their highest awards for him. Sprague was the second physician from Michigan to ever receive the award.
• Norma Sprague: Norma is Bill’s wife and partner in philanthropy. She earned a degree from Ohio University and worked as an electron microscopist, then went on to earn a degree in education and teach third grade.

Related Nonprofit Organizations

• American Cancer Society: The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization that works to fight cancer. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp
• The American Medical Association: The American Medical Association helps doctors help patients by uniting physicians nationwide to work on the most important professional and public health issues. http://www.ama-assn.org/
• The Grand Rapids Community Foundation: Michigan’s oldest nonprofit organization pools donations in order to invest them and make grants to a variety of charitable organizations. http://www.grfoundation.org/
• Indian Trails Camp provides life-enriching opportunities for individuals with disabilities through recreation, advocacy, and meaningful relationships. http://www.indiantrailscamp.org/about%20us%20-%20home.htm
• Rotary International is the world's first service club organization. Its more than 1.2 million members volunteer their time and talent to further the Rotary motto, Service Above Self. http://www.rotary.org/
• United Way: United Way is a national network of nearly 1,300 local organizations that work to advance the common good by focusing on education, income and health. http://www.liveunited.org/
• The World Health Organization directs and coordinates authority for health issues within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends. http://www.who.int/en/

Related Web Sites

• The Rotary International Web site has a page on the organization’s efforts to eradicate polio: http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/News/Pages/090422_news_fellowshipfundraisers.aspx

Bibliography and Internet Sources

Sprague, William E. Gallantry and Valor: Physicians Who Have Been Awarded the Medal of Honor. Grand Rapids: William E. Sprague, 2000.

Clipping file and oral history in the SOUL of Philanthropy collection in the Grand Rapids History and Special Collections of the Grand Rapids Public Library