WHY HE WAS NOMINATED:

Known to his patients as “Dr. Ro,” Dr. Parikh bought his first practice in Chicago’s southern suburbs in 2008, with a staff of just three. He has since built  Chicagoland Smile Group into a network of 12 multi-specialty practices with 47 dentists and dental specialists.

SAGE ADVICE:

“Never stop learning. I’m in my tenth year of private practice and still feel like I’m just getting started. Our group has a few dentists who have been in private practice for over 50 years, and every time I speak with them I feel like I’m drinking from the proverbial fire hose. I love it.”

SOMETHING PEOPLE DON’T KNOW:

“Before dentistry, I had aspirations to become the first Indian-American in the NBA. Then I stopped growing taller and had to become a ‘mathlete’ instead of an athlete.”