I am so blessed to get to do what I love and meet amazing people in the process.
As an orthodontist, I feel honored, humbled, and overjoyed to get to be a part of each patient’s – each person’s – life. I love sharing this transformational time with them, seeing their growth, and celebrating in the success and confidence a new smile brings!
Each person I have the honor to meet and provide orthodontic treatment for brings so much to my life. They are not “patients” to me: each becomes a friend as we get to know each other. I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of their life as my team and I celebrate their wins, mourn their losses, and help each achieve a life-changing smile!
Why Orthodontics?
I hated my smile and hid it growing up. My parents couldn’t afford and didn’t think I needed treatment when I was younger. Finally, after receiving money for my high school graduation, I used it as a down payment for braces as a college freshman. (My orthodontist was flexible and accommodating, working with me on both the down and monthly payments).
I loved my orthodontic experience: the team, my doctor, my growing confidence! I knew, then, this was the career for me. I had to help people like me, people who wanted to change their lives with straighter, healthier smiles, and do so in a manner that worked with their situations.
Education and Experience
I went to Northern Illinois University for my Bachelors of Science degree. I next attended the University of Illinois at Chicago, where I obtained my Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS). This was followed by my Orthodontic Residency and Master of Science (MS) at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
After graduating in 2011, I worked with another doctor for about nine months. While I enjoyed many aspects of that experience, I also swiftly realized I needed to do my own thing so I could control and guide the whole of the patient experience.
In Practice
Believing each person deserves orthodontic care that is completely tailored to their unique concerns, I opened Stork Orthodontics in 2012.
I am deeply honored to have served the community for ten years – and counting! Few things are as rewarding as helping someone to love their smile. It is amazing to see the physical and emotional change in a person as they journey from being uncomfortable with their teeth to smiling with confidence and ease. I love when our patients finish treatment and they can’t stop smiling: they hug my team and me and can’t hold in their joy!
Professional Affiliations and Continuing Education
I am an active member of the:
- American Association of Orthodontists
- Midwest Society of Orthodontists
- Iowa Society of Orthodontics
- Des Moines Orthodontic Society
These organization offer numerous ways for me to continue learn and stay on top of the latest developments. I’m driven to complete continuing education (CE), as is my team: we are never satisfied! We always strive to find and learn about new ways to make treatment easier, faster, more comfortable: if it’s better in any way at all, we want to know about it!
In addition to learning from and with colleagues, I work with hired consultants for continued improvement. We have bi-weekly and quarterly team training, as well, and I have the honor of teaching and being a guest speaker at the Mayo Clinic.
Beyond the Practice
Born in Albert Lea, Minnesota and raised in Illinois, I’ve lived in Johnston, Iowa, since 2016, and am thrilled to be raising my family in the community.
My amazing wife of 15 years has been an integral part of the practice since Day 1. We have three crazy and fun young kids:
- Winnie is a seven year old super intelligent, active, quick tempered, passionate, people- and animal-loving, outgoing girl
- Wes is a five year old sweet, sensitive, kind, caring, dino, minion, and Spidey-loving dude
- And Willow is a three year old spunky, Elsa loving girl who enjoys swimming, dance, and singing.
Being with loved ones takes top priority when I’m not changing smiles. I also enjoy exercise, including weight lifting, walking, biking. I’m an avid reader, with a focus on personal and professional growth, and also seek out information online to learn how to be a better clinician, parent, and human, too. I'm finding the Bible to be my absolute favorite and the one book you can use to solve all your problems.