This month, we're excited to bring you a Q&A with one of our newest supporters and sponsors, Dr. Lauren Thai of Thai Orthodontics. Below, Lauren shares how she became involved with the Foundation and the Chamber, her belief in supporting the community, and how her support for the Foundation also extends into mentoring and working alongside one of our past scholarship recipient students.
Q: Tell us how you joined and became involved in the Chamber, and then the Foundation.
My connection to the Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce began when I purchased the orthodontic practice from Dr. Dean Kiourtsis. Dr. Kiourtsis built an incredible legacy of serving the Grove City community, and as I transitioned the practice to Thai Orthodontics, it felt important to continue that tradition of community involvement.
Joining the Chamber was a natural way to become more connected to the people and organizations that make Grove City such a special place. As a small business owner, I believe it is important not only to provide excellent care, but also to invest in the community that supports your business and your team.
As I learned more about the Chamber Foundation and its mission to provide scholarships and leadership opportunities for local students, it immediately resonated with me. When I was in high school, I was fortunate to receive scholarships that helped support my educational journey. Those opportunities had a meaningful impact on my life, and supporting the Foundation felt like a wonderful way to pay that forward and help create opportunities for the next generation.
Q: What kind of community impact do you hope to make by supporting the Foundation?
As a second-generation Vietnamese American, giving back to the community is something that has always been deeply meaningful to me. My parents came to the United States as refugees after the Vietnam War with nothing but the clothes on their backs. They were welcomed and supported by local churches and members of their community who helped provide basic necessities and, more importantly, gave them hope and the opportunity to build a new life in this country.
Because of the kindness and generosity of others, my parents were able to create opportunities for my brother and me that they never could have imagined for themselves. They instilled in us a deep appreciation for hard work, education, and the importance of helping others whenever possible.
When I was in high school, I was fortunate to receive scholarships that helped support my educational journey. Those awards were more than just financial assistance—they were a vote of confidence from my community and a reminder that others believed in my potential. That encouragement stayed with me and played an important role in shaping the path that ultimately led me to become an orthodontist and business owner.
Growing up, I saw firsthand how powerful community support can be. It can open doors, create opportunities, and truly change the trajectory of someone's life. By supporting the Chamber Foundation, I hope to help provide that same sense of encouragement and opportunity to local students. My hope is that these scholarships not only ease the financial burden of education, but also inspire students to pursue their dreams with confidence, knowing that their community believes in them and is invested in their success.
Q: It's our understanding that past Foundation scholarship recipient Olivia has worked/interned with you, tell us about supporting future business leaders (especially in your industry) by way of hands-on experience and perhaps mentorship
Yes, Olivia has been helping us at Thai Orthodontics whenever she is home on break from school for the past three years, and it has been truly rewarding to watch her grow both personally and professionally. From the very beginning, she brought a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and a genuine desire to learn.
It has been especially exciting to see her pursue her dream of becoming a dentist. We were thrilled to learn that she was accepted to The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, and I could not be more proud of everything she has accomplished. Watching her develop the confidence and determination to achieve her goals has been incredibly inspiring.
Supporting students through mentorship is especially meaningful to me because I know firsthand how impactful those opportunities can be. When I was in high school several mentors allowed me to shadow in healthcare settings, and those experiences played a significant role in shaping my own career path and ultimately inspired me to become an orthodontist.
I believe one of the best ways to support students is by giving them meaningful, real-world experience. In our office, students gain exposure to much more than orthodontics. They learn about communication, teamwork, customer service, and the day-to-day responsibilities involved in running a successful business.
Whether a student ultimately pursues healthcare, business, or another field, having someone invest in them, encourage them, and provide hands-on experience can make a lasting difference. (Click here to re-visit Olivia Bartley's video message!)
Closing remarks from Dr. Lauren Thai:
At Thai Orthodontics, we believe creating beautiful smiles is only one part of our mission. While we are passionate about providing exceptional orthodontic care, we also feel a deep responsibility to give back to the communities that have supported our practice and our family. Supporting the Grove City Area Chamber Foundation is one meaningful way we can help create opportunities for future leaders and continue investing in the community that we are proud to call home.
