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The Orthopreneurs Podcast with Dr. Glenn Krieger
What does it mean to become an Orthopreneur? Hi there! My name is Dr. Glenn Krieger and I believe that in today’s competitive world, the orthodontic and dental communities should be collaborative. And I've created Orthopreneurs so that we can move towards that goal together. Orthodontists are smart people. You’ve accomplished a lot to get where you are, but chances are you never got a formal education in how to run the most effective and lowest stress practice possible. Don’t sweat it! Because we’ve got your back... Being an Orthopreneur means that you’re a part of a community. A community that brings peers together to become the best clinicians and the best business owners they can be. Becoming an Orthopreneurs means you never ever need to practice alone. Join the FREE Facebook group by simply applying:https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs
The Orthopreneurs Podcast with Dr. Glenn Krieger
The Romanian Orthodontist AND BeeKeeper w/ Dr. Elena Black
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
- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/
- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/