WHY HE WAS NOMINATED:

Dr. Janiga brings his impeccable chairside manner to bear for one of the country’s top Army clinics, which serves all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. He’s also an avid believer in continuing education, taking more than 100 hours of CE credits each year and implementing new treatments and technology into his practice.

WHY HE BECAME A DENTIST:

When I was a little kid, I thought it was so cool that teeth were like our bones but aren’t hidden under muscle and skin. Nobody in my family is involved with dentistry, so pursuing a career as a dentist was a bit of a leap. But after working for my local dentist, Dr. Neil Hoss [in Tolland, Connecticut], I knew it was the career for me. Also, my mentors from dental school — Drs. Jeffrey Ingber, Tara Sexton and David Swiecinski — inspired me to be the dentist I am today.”

SOMETHING PEOPLE DON’T KNOW:

“I’m a huge baseball fan. I was fortunate enough to play at Trinity College and was a pitcher on our 2008 Division III national-championship team.”