Janice
Janice is the creator of Straighten-up Orthodontics. She envisioned a practice that was inviting and cozy, not impersonal and cold. She offers up coffee and cookies (with a toothbrush, of course). Janice and Dr. Griffies strive to make every team member feel that the practice belongs to them as well. She does an amazing job keeping things jovial! “I just wanted to create an environment that I want to be in everyday,” she says,“it just so happens that the team and the patients like it as well!”
Janice was born in Dallas, Texas and is one of seven children. She and Dr. Griffies have been married for 28 years and his military service allowed them to travel the world. Together they have two children, Brandy and Chris. They also have three fantastic grandsons that they like much better than their children. When she is not at work…well, when is she not? Supposing she finds the time, Janice enjoys reading and sculpting. Her most dedicated hobby however, is undoing any disciplinary strides her daughter, Brandy, has made with her three boys, by spoiling them to immeasurable extremes. (Thanks, mom)
Wendy
Wendy has been managing the front desk since October 2008. She is excellent at keeping everything running smoothly and efficiently with a smile. Wendy has the advantage of getting to know every patient checking in and out of the office. Her favorite part about being up front is being able to“see the change in patients' smiles!” Of her team, Wendy says,“Everyone working here gets along great and we have a lot of fun!”
Wendy is originally from High Point, North Carolina. She has been living in Raeford for several years with her husband, William, and their beautiful daughter, Clair, and their two dogs, Tess and Annie. Wendy most enjoys spending time in the mountains, hiking and canoeing with her family. If she can manage the time, she also enjoys a good book.
Alex
Alex has been part of the Straighten-up Orthodontics team since September 2008. He has worn many hats in the office, but the one that has fit the best has been that of New Patient Coordinator. Alex has a very charming personality and the patients just adore him. He actually gets hugs from the new patients when they come in for their consultations! Alex has this to say about working here,“I really enjoy working with my co-workers, [because] we are a great team and I'm proud to be a part of it. But, most of all, I love our patients - [they] … are all amazing people.”
Alex was born at Fort. Bragg, North Carolina, but his father was in the Army so he has done quite a bit of moving over the years. Alex is an extremely talented artist and likes to experiment with all sorts of mediums. He also admits,“I absolutely love watching T.V.”
Brandy
Brandy has been with Straighten-up Orthodontics from the very beginning. She has experienced many different positions in the office, but really enjoys working with new patients and marketing. “It is so much fun to meet new patients and share in their excitement about braces!” She adds,“I love to see their faces when they come in and see our warm and comfy practice and meet all of our fun and wacky team members. I think a lot of people are surprised that a visit to the dentist can be so much fun!”
Brandy was born in Dallas, Texas, but was able to experience many different places because her father, Dr. Griffies, was in the Army. She has lived in Raeford for several years, raising her three adorable boys, Eli, Liam and Henry. They are all failing miserably in their attempts to wrangle their Great Dane, Lucy. Truth be told, she runs the house (because she is larger then all of them). Brandy enjoys painting, reading and baking, but she concedes,“I wish I was more of an outdoorsy person for my boys' sake, but instead I just take them shopping!”
Debbie
Debbie has been with Straighten-up Orthodontics from the very beginning. She actually worked with Dr. Griffies when he was stationed at Ft. Bragg. Debbie is an invaluable member of the team as she has been assisting for over 34 years. Her knowledge and calm demeanor help to put the patients at ease. Taking new employees under her wing is her forte - she is a natural teacher. Debbie has this to say about the office,“I have always dreamed of what the ideal orthodontist and team would be like [and] I have realized my dream here. Some days I have to pinch myself to be sure it's real. This practice is the best of the best!”
Debbie was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. Her husband, Bill, was in the military and the family was able to do some moving around. She and Bill have been married for 38 years. They met when he, literally, rode up to her in her front yard on an appaloosa horse! Together they have three sons and four precious grandchildren. Though some days they'd rather not, they claim a Scottish terrier, Barney, as their dog. What is Debbie's hobby? That would be“spoiling my grandchildren, of course!”
Kris
Kris started with Straighten-up Orthodontics in September 2005 when he was just a kid. He first did filing, and then x-rays, and then lab work and now has settled in as an assistant. Kris is incredibly efficient and has no problem being the main go-to guy if other team members are having trouble with a stubborn wire or bracket. He is having a great time working in orthodontics because he has“always loved working with [his] hands and learning about the health care field.”
Kris was born in Anchorage, Alaska and not particularly liking the cold, is very happy to be in North Carolina. Kris and his wife, Nicki, are expecting their first baby in the spring of 2011. He is excited to be starting his family. Kris enjoys anything that has to do with music,“either listening to it or even playing it.” Hopefully he enjoys lullabies because that is certainly in his very new future. He also dabbles in musical instrument repair, currently working on violins and electric guitars.
Lisa
Lisa has been with Straighten-up Orthodontics since April 2005. She has over 23 years of experience in the dental field. “First,” says Lisa,“I enjoy working with Dr. Griffies and the staff, which are more like my family. Second, I enjoy working with all of the patients that we have…[they] become like family as well.” With an attitude like that, it is no questions that she is an absolute gem. Lisa bonds with the patients so much, that she has been known to tear up when some of them finish treatment.
Lisa was born in Carthage, North Carolina. She and her husband, Al, have two sons, Richard and Kylle, who also works with Dr. Griffies. Some of Lisa's favorite pastimes are reading, crafts and computer games. She is a very active member in her church where she is able to do other things that she loves, like singing and working with children. If she can spare the time, she enjoys catching a flick with her family. Lisa also has a dog named Max, and a cat named Kiki.
Madaline
Madaline has been a member of the team since March 2007. She is most definitely the biggest jokester in the office. Madaline can be heard, all day every day, laughing with her patients. She quite honestly brightens everyone's day, both the patients and the staff. Madaline feels that“everyone is like a big family and this is the only place [she's] ever worked where everyone gets along!”
Madaline was born in Kingston, New York. She married her high school sweetheart, Pete, in 1991. Together they have two handsome sons, Gunner and Gabe. They recently moved into the town of Raeford where they are starting a dog boarding and training business. The family has seven dogs, one horse, one snake, one bearded dragon, one barn cat,“and a partridge in a pear tree!” When she is not wrangling animals she enjoys shopping, cooking and baking and, conveniently, eating. She is a graduate of the P90X program and managed to persuade half of the office to buy, though not necessarily complete it!
Deb
Deb joined the Straighten-up Orthodontic team in January 2010. She is a magnificent addition because she handles all of the insurance and billing which everyone else is afraid to do! Deb is meticulous and diligent, yet manages to make it all fun, which is nothing short of a miracle. She“love[s] to see the transformations from beginning to end” of the patients. Deb says that she loves working with Straighten-up Orthodontics because there is a“wonderful assortment of people who all get along.”
Deb is originally from Worcester, Massachusetts. She and her husband, Bill, have three sons Ryan, Alex and Zac. Evidence that she really enjoys spending time with her family - both her husband and middle son, Alex, also work with Dr. Griffies! When she is not in front of the computer, Deb enjoys reading, puzzles, cooking, gardening, shopping and hitting the beach. And, much to everyone's chagrin, Deb successfully completed the P 90X program.
Bill
Bill joined Straighten-up Orthodontics in January 2007. He retired from the military and was working in construction when Janice snatched him up for dental laboratory work. Bill has an impressive eye for detail and takes great pride in his work, which makes him the ideal lab technician. Bill has this to say about Straighten-up Orthodontics,“Everyone here is great and I love coming to work in the morning!” He can be found most in his lab rocking out to great music, singing at the top of his lungs. Thank goodness there is a lot of chatter and laughter in the hallway to drown out his singing, otherwise there is apt to be a few frightened patients.
Bill was born in Whitinsville, Massachusetts. He and his wife, Deb, have three talented sons; Ryan, Alex and Zac, and a dog named Shadow. Bill is an amateur rollerblader (look for his videos on YouTube!). He also writes songs and plays the guitar, even appearing at some local open-mic nights. He enjoys rollerblading, reading and spending time on the beach. Bill is also always on the look out for the next“million dollar idea.” Hey, Bill, how about a rollerblading guitarist?
Kylle
Kylle has been with Straighten-up Orthodontics since June 2008, after graduating from high school. “I love meeting the unique…patients here. I also love watching [their] broken smile turn into a perfect one.” Kylle is the master of the x-ray machine and the sterilization room. He is excellent at keeping track of all of the different x-rays that are needed through out the day, as well as lightening the load of the assistance by handling the cleaning of all of the instruments. He has become a pro at blowing up balloons and keeping the cookies going. Most importantly, Kylle's incredible height makes him very useful when needing a light bulb changed!
Kylle was born in Ft. Worth, Texas and with a father in the military he did a bit of moving around. He most enjoys drawing, acting in skits and running. He also sings, but says,“Please don't ask me to!” Kylle fancy himself the office clown and is always game for a practical joke. As previously mentioned, he is the best at changing light bulbs, reaching the top shelves and dusting off the top of the refrigerator.
Chris
Chris has worked with Straighten-up Orthodontics from the very beginning. He handles all of our internal technical support. Unfortunately, being Dr. Griffies' son means that he is on call 24/7 and Dr. G knows where he lives. That aside, Chris is excellent at handling any problems that arise and has plenty of patients for all of the technologically challenged team members.
Chris was born in Berlin, Germany. With his dad being in the military he was able to experience life on the East coast, in Hawaii and Texas. He is an avid collector of all things Godzilla - movies, posters, figures, etc. Chris has also always had an interest in herpetology and has a vast knowledge that enables him to maintain quite an impressive collection of snakes and reptiles as well. He also has a beagle named Patch.