In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Elena Black, a Romanian-born orthodontist practicing in Virginia, who shares one of the most unexpectedly moving conversations we’ve had on the podcast. From her journey through dental school in Romania, to training under the legendary Dr. Gianelly at Boston University, to becoming a small-town practice owner and passionate beekeeper—Elena’s story is equal parts inspiring, honest, and deeply human.

We talk about the challenges of starting over in a new country, the cultural dynamics of being a female orthodontist in a Southern town, and what it's like to manage 11 bee colonies just for the love of it. You'll hear about her humble beginnings, her reverence for education, and how watching bees helped her reconnect with mental peace after the stress of COVID. If you're looking for a reminder that you are more than your practice, this episode is it.

Quotes

“Dr. Gianelly was the kind of teacher who’d say: ‘You’ll find your answer on page 3, upper left corner of that AJODO issue.’ He wanted us to think, not just follow.”

— Dr. Elena Black

“Beekeeping is my way to serve the world without needing anything back. I just go out at night and say hello to my bees.”

— Dr. Elena Black

Key Takeaways

• Intro (00:00)
• Training under Dr. Gianelly & what made him special (02:16)
• From Romania to Boston: the winding road through Japan (07:33)
• Practicing in the South as a female orthodontist with an accent (11:12)
• Building a practice from scratch—literally waiting on her husband’s location (06:23)
• Introducing digital scanners and aligners in her market (12:37)
  Why dental school in Romania starts at age 18—and how it compares to the U.S. (14:57)
• Beekeeping 101: 11 hives, 11 queens, zero stress (20:45)
• What bees can teach us about leadership, resilience, and peace (22:51)
• How she makes honey, keeps it separate, and shares it with friends (25:32)
• Why beekeeping saved her sanity after COVID (30:12)

Additional Resources

If you’ve ever felt like your identity is just your practice, Elena’s story is your wake-up call. Whether it's beekeeping, jiu-jitsu, or just watching cows graze—you need something that's just for you.

Want to get in contact with Dr. Elena Black? Visit Lynchburg Orthodontics:
https://lynchburgorthodontics.com 

Register for Ortho Vanguard: https://www.opvanguard.com 

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