How old are your kids and how long have you lived in Westport? I have an 8 month old boy (Spencer) and a 21 month old girl (Cecilia). I grew up in Westport and went through the Westport public school system from Kindergarten through 12th – Go Wreckers!
How did you end up where you are now in terms of your job, or whatever passion project it is you might be doing? When I first graduated from my orthodontic residency at NYU, I secured an associate position at an orthodontic office with multiple locations in Fairfield county (but not in Westport). This office was extremely busy and fast paced. In that office, I did not feel that I had enough time with each patient to form a meaningful relationship with my patients and their families. After working in this office for 4 years, Dr. Steve Scher approached me to take over his boutique office in downtown Westport, now known as Embrace Orthodontics. Having grown up in Westport, I always imagined coming back to practice here. So, when Steve approached me, I felt it was meant to be. I was once a teenager growing up in Westport, which helps me relate to my patients.
What is your favorite family activity to do in Westport or the surrounding towns? In the summer we love going to the beach and my kids love swimming in the Sound. In the winter we love the proximity to ski slopes up in Vermont.
What’s your can’t live without beauty product? Facial moisturizer with sunscreen. I have fair skin and burn so easily any time of year. Right now, I am using a Shiseido cream with SPF. It does not feel heavy and oily, while also providing SPF protection. I also could not live without mascara.
If you could pick one restaurant or store to come to Westport that isn’t here now, what would it be, and why? My office is near Main Street, where there are limited options for good lunch spots to grab a quick bite. I would love a great salad place like Sweetgreen.
What are you most excited about in life right now? I’m really excited about my office growth! Remember how everyone wanted the “Rachel” haircut in the 90’s? I feel like straight teeth are today’s craze. Everyone wants perfect teeth – and people of all ages!
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? When I was in high school, I was a snowboard instructor at Okemo Mountain on the weekends. Now I don’t snowboard anymore- I just ski!
If you weren’t doing what you are today, what do you think your career path might have been? What I love most about orthodontics is being able to improve the confidence of young kids. When a smile is transformed for the better it can make a huge impact on a person’s life. If I was not an orthodontist, I would be a school psychologist working with kids around the same age as many of my patients.
If you had 24 hours to do whatever you wanted – what would you do? At this point in my life, I’m constantly running around after a toddler while carrying an infant! Sometimes “mummying” is more work than my actual job. If I had 24 hours to do whatever I wanted I would rent a hotel room, sleep late, watch movies and get a massage.
What is your most marked characteristic? Easy, my red hair.
What is your proudest mommy moment? My 20 month old daughter used to be addicted to her pacifier at night. It was noticeably adversely affecting her teeth. When she smiled, her front baby teeth were sticking out due to the effects of the pacifier. When she turned 18 months, we took the pacifiers away from her cold turkey. She cried for about 5 minutes and then she was fine. Her baby teeth are now aligning much better without any intervention. This will also help the way her adult teeth come in.
