Team members stacking their hands together in a show of unity.

About the OAO

The OAO and Its Leadership

Representing Ohio's Orthodontic Specialists

As the state-level component of the American Association of Orthodontists, the Ohio Association of Orthodontists is Ohio's oldest and largest orthodontic specialty organization. The OAO encourages research, education, and professional collaboration so members can continue providing the highest quality orthodontic care to patients.

The OAO also helps educate the public about the benefits of orthodontic treatment and the value of choosing an orthodontic specialist. Orthodontists complete dental school followed by two to three additional years of specialized orthodontic residency training, preparing them to diagnose, prevent, and treat dental and facial irregularities involving the teeth and jaws.

That work is guided by an executive board of practicing orthodontists from across Ohio, who are elected by the membership under the OAO bylaws and volunteer their time to represent members in every region of the state.

OAO Bylaws

Dr. Felix Gen

President

5827 Mayfield Rd. Mayfield Heights, OH 44124
(330) 425-3573 • Send Email

Dr. Felix Gen is a board-certified orthodontist and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Orthodontics Department at Case Western Reserve University. He earned his BS and DDS from Case Western Reserve University before completing his MS and Certificate of Proficiency in Orthodontics at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Beyond patient care, Dr. Gen has served the orthodontic and dental professions in a number of leadership roles, including with the Greater Cleveland Dental Society, Cleveland Society of Orthodontists, Ohio Association of Orthodontists, Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity, and OKU Honorary Dental Society. He remains actively involved in local dental and orthodontic study groups and regularly pursues continuing education to stay current with advances in orthodontic techniques and care.

Dr. Ryan Wenger

President-Elect

5825 Landerbrook Dr., Ste. 224 Cleveland, OH 44124
(440) 442-0916 • Send Email

Dr. Ryan Wenger completed his undergraduate education at the University of Notre Dame, where he lettered four years in tennis. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from The Ohio State University, receiving the Quintessence Award for Research Excellence and the ADA/Dentsply Student Clinician Award. He completed his residency in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics at Case Western Reserve University, where he was recognized for his work on protraction facemask therapy.

Dr. Wenger has served as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthodontics at Case Western Reserve University since 2004 and has maintained a private practice in Mayfield Heights since joining his father in 1998. He is a past president of the Cleveland Society of Orthodontists and is a member of numerous dental study clubs. Ryan and his wife, Maureen, reside in Chesterland and have three adult sons. Outside of orthodontics, he enjoys tennis, biking, traveling, and cheering on Cleveland sports teams.

Dr. Kenneth Lawrence

Secretary/Treasurer

8857 Mentor Ave. Mentor, OH 44060
(440) 974-2040 • Send Email

Dr. Ken Lawrence is a dual board-certified specialist in Orthodontics and Orofacial Pain. He serves as the Craniofacial Orthodontist for the Cleveland Clinic and has been the exclusive orthodontist for its Cleft Palate Team since 2007. He is also an Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthodontics at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine and formerly directed the university’s Early Treatment Clinic.

Dr. Lawrence earned his DDS from Case Western Reserve University, his Certificate in Orthodontics from Loyola University of Chicago, and his Certificate in Clinical Management of TMD and Orofacial Pain from the University of Kentucky. He has maintained a private practice in Mentor since 1992 and is the inventor and patent holder of the OralEnlight, an illuminated retractor. Beyond his clinical and academic contributions, Dr. Lawrence is most proud of his wife, Donna, and their two sons, Jake and Ben.

Dr. Kenneth Lawrence, Secretary/Treasurer of OAO

Dr. Dale Anne Featheringham

Ohio Director to the GLAO

265 Sterkel Blvd. Mansfield, OH 44907
(419) 756-7004 • Send Email

Dr. Dale Anne Featheringham is excited to return to the GLAO as Ohio Director and to help keep Ohio orthodontists informed about what is happening within the GLAO and the American Association of Orthodontists. She also serves as an AAO PAC Captain for Ohio, a role that allows her to advocate for the profession and support the important work of the AAO advocacy team. As she puts it, asking colleagues to support the PAC is an easy ask because she believes so strongly in the quality and effectiveness of the advocacy work being done on behalf of orthodontists.

Dr. Featheringham has been actively involved in Ohio advocacy efforts, including participating in the AAO’s first state advocacy day in Columbus, where she met with members of the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. Discussions focused on issues including direct-to-consumer aligner treatment models and the importance of access to quality orthodontic care from trained specialists. She looks forward to working with the talented OAO board and executive director, reconnecting with GLAO colleagues, and continuing to advocate for orthodontists throughout Ohio. And if you have a question about Ohio advocacy—or perhaps a suitcase of cash for the PAC—she’d love to hear from you!

Dr. Dale Anne Featheringham, Ohio Director to the GLAO

Dr. Manish Valiathan

Southeast Director

8600 Alexandria Dr., Suite B Macedonia, OH 44056
(330) 467-2763 • Send Email

Dr. Manish Valiathan received his dental and specialty training in Orthodontics from the College of Dental Surgery, Manipal, before joining Case Western Reserve University, where he completed his DDS and MSD in Orthodontics. He has served on the full-time faculty at Case Western Reserve University for more than 20 years and is a professor with joint appointments in the Departments of Orthodontics and Plastic Surgery in the School of Medicine. He also serves as Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs.

Dr. Valiathan founded the first university-based Craniofacial Orthodontic Fellowship Program in the United States in 2011. His research focuses on craniofacial growth, clinical outcomes, and post-orthodontic changes, and he has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and contributed to multiple textbooks. He has served national, state, and local organizations, including the American Cleft Palate Association and the Cleveland Society of Orthodontists, and serves on the editorial review panels of nine journals. He has lectured nationally and internationally and has received recognition for his work in the United States and abroad. In addition to his academic responsibilities, Dr. Valiathan maintains a private practice in the Cleveland area, with a clinical focus on surgical and craniofacial orthodontics.

Dr. Manish Valiathan, Southeast Director of OAO

Dr. Sharon Schmahl

Central Ohio Director

1186 Bell Rd. Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
(440) 338-5666 • Send Email

Dr. Sharon Schmahl considers it both a privilege and a responsibility to share her time and professional experience with students who aspire to become orthodontists. She teaches in the Orthodontic Department at Case Western Reserve University and works with orthodontic residents in her private practice. She also serves on the Craniofacial Team at Akron Children’s Hospital, volunteering alongside a multidisciplinary team that treats patients with cleft palates and other dental abnormalities.

Dr. Schmahl earned her Bachelor of Arts in History Education and Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Iowa. She completed a General Practice and Hospital Dentistry Residency at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and earned her Master of Science in Orthodontics from Case Western Reserve University, where she is an Associate Professor of Orthodontics. She takes great pride in helping her patients achieve beautiful, healthy smiles and especially enjoys seeing the confidence that comes with a transformed smile.

Dr. Sharon Schmahl, Central Ohio Director of OAO

Dr. Aditya Chhibber

Northwest Director

137 Benedict Ave. Norwalk, OH 44857
(419) 668-1686 • Send Email

Dr. Aditya Chhibber is a board-certified orthodontist who was selected by Dr. Gary Wolf to take over his practice based on his work ethic, high standards of care, and similar treatment philosophy. Dr. Chhibber completed his dental education at Manipal University in India, followed by an orthodontic residency and Master of Dental Surgery in Orthodontics. He subsequently earned a Master of Dental Science and Certificate in Orthodontics and completed an orthodontic fellowship at the University of Connecticut. He also served as a full-time faculty member at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in New York City for three years.

Dr. Chhibber has presented his board cases at national orthodontic meetings and has lectured nationally and internationally on a variety of orthodontic topics. His research has focused primarily on functional jaw orthopedics and long-term retention, and he has received an American Association of Orthodontists Foundation research award. He serves as an editorial board member for the Angle Orthodontist and as a reviewer for several peer-reviewed orthodontic journals. He is passionate about providing patients with the highest standards of care and contributing to practice-based research that advances the quality of orthodontic treatment.

Dr. Aditya Chhibber, Northwest Director of OAO

Dr. Brendan O'Neill

Southwest Director

260 S. Eastown Rd. Lima, OH 45807
(419) 229-8771 • Send Email

Dr. Brendan O’Neill combines extensive orthodontic expertise with a deep commitment to his community. A proud Lima native, he attended St. Charles Elementary and Lima Central Catholic High School before graduating from the University of Notre Dame. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and completed his orthodontic residency at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York, followed by a Craniofacial Orthodontic Fellowship at New York University.

Dr. Brendan O'Neill, Southwest Director of OAO

Dr. Annelise Sullivan

Northeast Director

8803 Brecksville Rd., Ste. 10 Brecksville, OH 44141
(440) 526-7506 • Email through OAO website

Dr. Annelise Sullivan was born and raised in Lakewood, Ohio, and graduated from Lakewood High School in 1997. She attended Lehigh University, where she earned dual degrees in Chemical Engineering and Anthropology/Archaeology. She then spent seven years in Ann Arbor, earning both her DDS and MS in Orthodontics from the University of Michigan.

Dr. Sullivan maintains private practices in Brecksville and Parma. She currently serves as President of the Cleveland Society of Orthodontists and is a past president of the Greater Cleveland Dental Society Foundation. She is also a member of several local and national study clubs. Outside of orthodontics, Annelise plays cello with the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra, enjoys watching classic black-and-white films, and traveling with her family. She and her husband, Ryan, have two children, Colt and Ellie Mae, and enjoy making memories together.

Dr. Annelise Sullivan, Northeast Director of OAO

Lorraine Mollohan

Executive Director

(440) 732-0080 • Send Email

Lori has been part of the orthodontic profession for more than 30 years. She attended Baldwin Wallace College and began her career working in an orthodontic practice, where she spent 16 years gaining firsthand experience in the profession. She later joined the Cleveland Society of Orthodontists, where she developed lasting relationships with orthodontists in the Cleveland area and became involved in supporting the CSO and its members.

Lorraine Mollohan, Executive Director of OAO

Honoring OAO Past Presidents

A Legacy of Leadership for Ohio Orthodontics

The Ohio Association of Orthodontists is grateful for the leaders who have guided the organization over the years. Past presidents have helped advance the specialty, support members, build professional connections, and strengthen the voice of orthodontists throughout Ohio. Their service continues to shape the OAO's commitment to education, advocacy, patient care, and professional excellence. Past Presidents include:

Dr. Dale Anne Featheringham
Dr. Brian Hockenberger
Dr. George Kast
Dr. T.J. Robinson
Dr. Dan DeAngelo
Dr. Matthew Mayers
Dr. Jay Parekh
Dr. David Lewicki
Dr. Bethany Crawford
Dr. Sharon Schmahl
Dr. Charles Fenell
Dr. Edgar Mendieta
Dr. Andrew Wade
Dr. Manish Valiathan
Dr. Felix Gen