Professional:
Dr. Gardner received his undergraduate degree in Biology from Wake Forest University. Upon graduation, he moved to Richmond and received his dental degree from the Medical College of Virginia. He received his graduate certificate in orthodontics from New York University, where he was president of his class and a part-time faculty member. He has had two orthodontic articles published, and is active in various dental study clubs, including one he co-founded and two of which he has been president. He is a member of 5 professional associations. For the last few years, Dr. Gardner has been a part-time clinical faculty member at the Medical College of Virginia and a Delegate to the Virginia Dental Association. He volunteers with the dentistry Missions of Mercy (M.O.M.) to under-served Virginia areas with the Virginia Dental Society.

Personal:
Dr. Gardner was born on an American army base in West Berlin, West Germany. He was raised in Martinsville, Virginia. After graduation from orthodontic school, he decided to live in Richmond. He and Jennifer have been happily married for over six years, and not just because she is a Pastry Chef! They are the proud parents of three beautiful children, Ava, Finn, and Oliver. Dr. Gardner likes white-water kayaking, rock climbing, and skiing. He and Jennifer enjoy working out with the Richmond Seal Team. Dr. Gardner actively helps to maintain and improve the condition of the Richmond park system through the James River Outdoor Coalition. He has participated in two Outward Bound programs and was even asked to join their staff! He has also worked for several adolescent motivational programs including Broad Reach and Action Quest. Just ask and Dr. Gardner will show you one of his AMAZING magic tricks!

Sandra has been with our team since October 1989 and creates quite a comfort level when it comes to having a well-run office! She assumed the position of Office Manager with the retirement of Sandy Padgett. Her lovely daughter, Amanda, is a patient in our practice. Amanda, Sandra, and Guy (her husband of 15+ years) enjoy spending time relaxing in their beautiful backyard, or at their home away from home at Lake Gaston.

Tammy has been a fantastic orthodontic assistant for well over a decade. (Hard to believe, considering she doesn’t look a day over 19!) She is a SUPERSTAR when it comes to fitting tricky bands, entertaining our patients, and remembering useless trivia. Tammy is happily married to an amazingly lucky man named Shaun. They have been blessed with a chubby angelic son named Jacob, and with two very neurotic doggies named Zeke and Dixie. She is brilliant, beautiful, funny, honest, athletic, graceful, poetic, artistic, and of course, modest. The patients just LOVE her. Simply put, Tammy is MAGNIFICENT!(We let Tammy write her own bio.)

Leslie has been with our team for several years as an orthodontic assistant and an in-office lab guru. In addition to seeing all patients with traditional braces, Leslie is instrumental in the "new" fields of removable treatment appliances. She is energetic, knowledgeable, and compassionate. Leslie looks forward to her day at the office, where she gets a break from running after her charismatic son, Keefer. She enjoys going to the movies, traveling, reading, and gardening. If you’re in need of a good laugh, just ask Leslie to juggle. It is a sidesplitting experience!

Janet Baker, wife and mother of two, received her BFA in Painting and Printmaking from VCU in 2000. Her artwork has been shown in several galleries around Richmond. She also hand-colors prints for Old World Prints. She has worked as a lab technician for us since 1985, and we really appreciate her artistic influence!

Cathy joined our team in December 2003 as part of our front desk staff. She brings with her a wonderful smile and great personality for greeting patients. She is originally from Wilmington, Delaware and has lived in Richmond for 14 years. She resides in Southside with her husband Jim and her two wonderful children, Lindsay and Blake. Her interests include reading, swimming, and visiting the beach whenever she can find the time in her busy schedule.

Melanie joined our team in February 2004 as our delightful front desk receptionist and has since moved on to the position of Treatment Coordinator. She was born in Staunton, Virginia and moved to Richmond at an early age, but she still considers herself a “country girl”! Melanie now lives with her amazing little dachsund, Charlie, and her big fat orange tabby cat, Max, who both keep her tremendously amused! During her spare time, she enjoys experimenting with new recipes, decorating, getting to the beach as much as possible, and relaxing with friends and family!

Carrie Bradley joined our wonderful family in December of 2004. With her, she brought an amazing personality and a winning spirit that won us all over from the first interview. She has been married since March 27, 2004 and has combined her 2 children, Liam (7), and a daughter Brayden (5), with her new husband Jay and his son Jakob, who is 2. In her husband she found her knight in shining armor! Carrie was raised in the beautiful county of Greenbrier, WVA, and then she moved to VA when she was 10. She mostly enjoys spending time with her children. She also enjoys her two dogs Dallas, a boxer, and Ottis, a pug. She also collects anything that associates with frogs. When you get the pleasure to meet her, ask her to dance, it is truly an enjoyable sight!

Wanda joined our fantastic family in January 2005 as our delightful front desk receptionist. She was born and raised in the Richmond area, and she has a precious little dog named Ally, who is the love of her life. When you see her, ask to see a picture of her little Princess; she is sure to brighten your day!!! In her spare time, Wanda has been known to spend time with her friends, go to the beach, and enhance her cooking skills!! She truly adores children and hopes to one day have a few of her own!!

Maura Spencer, or “Buzz”, as she is known by her friends, joined our team in January 2005 as our New Patient Treatment Coordinator. She and her husband, Joel, were college sweethearts and have been married for over 30 years! They have two sons, Brian who graduated from Va. Tech in 2004 and Jeff who is scheduled to graduate in Dec. 2005. Buzz loves to spend her free time bicycling with Joel, skiing or hiking with her wonderful family, including their lovable dog Woody, or scrapbooking, quilting, or knitting. Buzz absolutely adores children, which led her to teaching, volunteering, and mentoring in her local school system.