ATLANTA ORTHODONTIC SPECIALISTS - Key Persons

Dr. India L. Collier was born in Atlanta, Georgia and raised in Marietta, Georgia, where she attended Marietta High School. Dr. Collier earned her Biology degree from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. While at Spelman, she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She received her Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry from Augusta University (formerly Medical College of Georgia), with highest honors. While in dental school, she was a member of the Admissions Committee and was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society. She founded and served as the president of the Augusta University Chapter of Operation Smile, where she was able to help raise funds for 5 children to have cleft lip and/or cleft palate surgeries. Upon completion of dental school, she remained at Augusta University to complete her Orthodontic Residency training program. Dr. Collier did not stop there, however. She presented high-quality finished cases and endured additional exams to become a Board Certified Orthodontist. Dr. Collier is a Diplomate of the American Boards of Orthodontics, a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, and the Southern Association of Orthodontists.

Dr. Mariesa Moore was born in Atlanta, Georgia and raised in Dacula where she attended Dacula High School. Dr. Moore attended the University of Georgia where she double majored in Biology and Psychology. Following her Bachelor's degree, she went on to attend Augusta University (formerly the Medical College of Georgia) to receive her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree as well as her Orthodontic Residency training certification. Dr. Moore also endured additional examinations to become Board Certified by the American Board of Orthodontists, which she finds incredibly important when it comes to providing specialty care to patients. Dr. Moore is an active participant in her profession and is committed to lifelong learning and staying current on the latest developments in orthodontic care through positions and memberships in dental and orthodontic organizations, such as the Georgia Dental Association, American Association of Orthodontists, American Board of Orthodontists, Georgia Orthodontists Foundation and the American Academy of Facial Esthetics. Dr. Mariesa Moore was born in Atlanta, Georgia and raised in Dacula where she attended Dacula High School. Dr. Moore attended the University of Georgia where she double majored in Biology and Psychology. Following her Bachelor's degree, she went on to attend Augusta University (formerly the Medical College of Georgia) to receive her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree as well as her Orthodontic Residency training certification. Dr. Moore also endured additional examinations to become Board Certified by the American Board of Orthodontists, which she finds incredibly important when it comes to providing specialty care to patients. Dr. Moore is an active participant in her profession and is committed to lifelong learning and staying current on the latest developments in orthodontic care through positions and memberships in dental and orthodontic organizations, such as the Georgia Dental Association, American Association of Orthodontists, American Board of Orthodontists, Georgia Orthodontists Foundation and the American Academy of Facial Esthetics.

Dr. Mark Sanchez grew up living on three continents, studied at Georgia Tech, and received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 1984 from Emory University. After practicing general dentistry for five years, he returned to Emory University for his orthodontic training in 1989. Dr. Sanchez has been a leader in computer use in orthodontics throughout his career and has developed the leading orthodontic software management program, Tops™, which has provided software services to orthodontic practices worldwide.

Dr. Melisa Rathburn grew up in Texas and Louisiana, attended Louisiana State University, and received her D.D.S. from Marquette University School of Dentistry. She then received her advanced training in Orthodontics at Emory University and has practiced with her husband, Dr. Michael Stewart, as part of Atlanta Orthodontic Specialists, since 1990. Their son, Dr. Tyler Rathburn, joined the practice in 2014.

Dr. Michael Stewart moved to Atlanta in 1969 from central Florida to attend Emory University's School of Dentistry. Upon completing his dental education, he remained at Emory and received advanced training and specialty certification in both pediatric dentistry and orthodontics. Following his specialty training, Dr. Stewart served as an Assistant Professor in the departments of pediatric dentistry and orthodontics. While on the faculty, he practiced in the section of plastic and reconstructive surgery in the Emory Clinic, and later served as Director of Orthodontics in the Center for Craniofacial Disorders at Scottish Rite Children's Hospital. He is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. Michael Stewart moved to Atlanta in 1969 from central Florida to attend Emory University's School of Dentistry. Upon completing his dental education, he remained at Emory and received advanced training and specialty certification in both pediatric dentistry and orthodontics. Following his specialty training, Dr. Stewart served as an Assistant Professor in the departments of pediatric dentistry and orthodontics. While on the faculty, he practiced in the section of plastic and reconstructive surgery in the Emory Clinic, and later served as Director of Orthodontics in the Center for Craniofacial Disorders at Scottish Rite Children's Hospital. He is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. Leadership Dr. Stewart is recognized as a national leader in advanced diagnostic and treatment techniques. For years he has shared his mastery of computerized orthodontic diagnosis and currently serves on the advisory boards of numerous technology-based orthodontic manufacturers and service providers. Dr. Stewart was an original member of Align Technology's Alpha Group and Speaker's Bureau. He and his wife, Dr. Melisa Rathburn, have presented on a national level numerous advanced programs on the application and management of the Invisalign® technique.

Slowly but surely, Dr. Thomas Skafidas has been making his way down to Georgia to be part of our team at Atlanta Orthodontic Specialists. In the 1970s, he attended college at the University of Illinois and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Dental Medicine. Then, he made it a little further south to North Carolina to do his residency at the Womack Army Hospital at Fort Bragg. Another residency in the 1980s at Emory University in Atlanta brought him even closer to his final destination as part of our practice. We are so glad he finally made it here.

Job Titles:

• Member of the American Dental Association

Dr. Tyler Rathburn (or Dr. Tyler as he is known around the office) grew up in Sandy Springs, GA with his parents, Drs. Michael Stewart and Melisa Rathburn (his personal orthodontists) and his sister Alexis. He attended Holy Innocents' Episcopal School from kindergarten through graduation in 2005. He then attended the University of Virginia (Go HOOS!) and graduated with a BA in Religious Studies in 2009. Tyler earned his DMD degree for dentistry at the Medical College of Georgia in 2013 and, his orthodontics certificate from MCG in 2015. While in dental school he was a member of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon dental honor society and served as a student member of the Admissions Committee and fundraising chair of the Give-A-Smile foundation. Dr. Tyler Rathburn is an active member of the American Dental Association, the American Association of Orthodontists, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.

Job Titles:

• Chief Energy Officer at the Virginia Highlands

I am the coolest kid at AOS! I enjoy baking and cooking. In school for dental hygiene. I make my own butters and lotions.