The ability to help so many people achieve their goal of attaining a healthy and beautiful smile is an incredible source of energy and inspiration to me.
An artist by nature and scientist by education, I chose to become an orthodontist because of my passion for helping people change and improve their lives. A beautiful, functional smile plays a part in one’s success and happiness: every smile I treat is an opportunity to make a positive impact in someone’s life. Seeing a person who covered their teeth before treatment flash a smile as big as the Grand Canyon as they see the change in their appearance is thrilling – humbling – and extremely gratifying.
As an orthodontist, I meet many fantastic people every day; each helps me grow and enriches my life. Patients are the reason I wake looking forward to the day ahead and make healthcare like no other profession in the world.
My vision upon entering practice with my partner Rick was to create a state-of-the-art practice with service second to none. But more than that, a practice where patients and referring community dentists feel so good about the quality of care and personalized service they receive that they would be compelled to refer their friends and patients. This philosophy has attracted a wonderful staff and an amazing family of patients. We foster a culture of enthusiasm among our team and work to achieve our goals as an open, honest group of individuals who genuinely care about the process and the results. We simply want to be the best!
Education and Experience
- Bachelor of Science Finance, Lehigh University
- Doctorate of Dental Surgery, University of Iowa
- Master of Science Orthodontics, University of Iowa
I graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Lehigh University before attending dental school at the University of Iowa with the benefit of a Dows research scholarship. While at Iowa, I was elected to Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the national dental honor society, and received the William F. Kramer Award of Excellence, awarded to the top clinician in the class as determined by faculty. I continued my education at Iowa and received my MS in Orthodontics. I was certified a diplomate by the American Board of Orthodontics in 2006 and continued my pursuit of excellence by recertifying in 2011. I am also, a past President of the Illinois Society of Orthodontists.
Invisalign® treatment is a special interest of mine. While the biomechanical principles of moving teeth with plastic aligners are the same as braces, they require a very different skill set to obtain a fantastic outcome. My goal is to make sure we’re delivering the finest smiles possible, whether a patient chooses braces or plastic aligners.
I am an orthodontic consultant to Windy City Seminars, a member of the Chicago Invisalign Top Doctor Study Group, and the Tom Pitts Masters Group.
Professional Memberships
- Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics
- American Association of Orthodontists
- Illinois Society of Orthodontists, President 2019-2020
- American Dental Association
- Illinois State Dental Society
- Chicago Dental Society
- Seattle Study Club, Windy City branch, founding member
Beyond the Practice
I grew up in Wyomissing, PA (home of Taylor Swift – my aunt was her dental hygienist), and have lived in Chicago for more than 25 years. My wife Laura and I share our home with our rescued English bulldog Fancy.
Music has been an important part of my life since childhood. I’ve played on the bill with such great artists as 10,000 Maniacs and Blues Traveler. Before his passing, I played drums for Pat DiNizio, lead singer of the multiplatinum rock group The Smithereens, and have recently been onstage with power pop group The Posies.
As a result of music, I’ve been lucky to have performed on national television, and a feature article was written in the national trade journal Orthodontic Products about how I combine the practice of orthodontics and music.
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