“What’s the first thing you notice when you meet someone for the first time? For me, it’s always been their smile,” said Dr. Lisa Grant of Grant Orthodontics. “Never did I find that more true than these past three years of hiding our smiles behind our masks. Now, once again, where most are mask-free, the smiles can flow freely again.”
Grant has been passionate about helping bring smiles through her practice serving the Homewood-Flossmoor community and reaching beyond to surrounding communities, Chicago and Northwest Indiana. She may see patients as young as age 7 for consultation, but generally she is seeing patients from age 11 or 12 into adulthood.
As she marks 30 years of orthodontic care, she reflects on how she started, the many friends she’s made and how her work helps improve the lives of her patients.
“Never had I imagined the true gift of confidence that providing a new smile to others would bring,” she said. After graduating from the University of Illinois Dental School and receiving a master’s in orthodontics from Northwestern University, she opened the Lisa Grant Orthodontics practice in downtown Flossmoor in 1993.
“I set out to create a unique orthodontic specialty practice with a vision of delivering unparalleled service, while embracing my commitment to serving families and the surrounding community. I did that by creating a culture with my team and patients by infusing my core values of fun, family and philanthropy into everything we do,” she said.
In 2010, Grant moved her practice to 18243 Harwood Ave. in Homewood and renamed it Grant Orthodontics. People recognize the location by the colorful stick figure art pieces waving to drivers.
Grant said her goal is to make people feel comfortable, acknowledged and happy.
“After 30 years of practice, we continue to provide our invaluable services, always putting the patient first while ‘going the extra smile’ to exceed our patients’ expectations. Over the years, I have learned many things from running my business. I try and continue to surprise and delight my team and my patients, changing with the times to focus on what is truly most important at the time,” Grant said.
While Grant leads the office, she appreciates all the special efforts of her staff: Robin McElligott, Laurie Soeka, Kathi Hilgen, Kris LoBue, Wendy Valdez, Lauren Veste, Aubrey Kuiper, Tiffany Bachand, Devan Hubsch and Amy Ludke.
Dr. Thomas Bond has also been practicing with Grant. She calls him “a true rock star orthodontist.” Over her career, she has mentored both high school students, current dental students and four young orthodontic specialists.
Grant thanks her family – husband Dr. Cary Goldberg practicing at the Center for Dental Excellence in Flossmoor and their two adult daughters, Jolie and Kendall — for all their support over the past 30 years, and sends special thanks “to the Homewood-Flossmoor community for always welcoming me with open arms. It continues to be a pleasure to serve our families.”