I moved to Hinsdale with my husband, Nick Riccio and our then baby son, Massimo, in 2018. We were brought to Hinsdale by our work and specifically our Zook house which we fell in love with during house hunting in the western suburbs. Hinsdale has been a great place to raise our son and build our business, Hinsdale Ortho, formerly Klepacki Orthodontics, which has been a Hinsdale staple for over 60 years as one of the original orthodontists in Chicagoland. I am a dual trained and board certified pediatric dentist and orthodontist, which is a rare distinction. I am fortunate to see patients at Hinsdale Ortho with my husband and also own my own pediatric dental offices, Children’s Dentistry Group, in Lake Zurich which I run with two amazing women, and recently Mills & Blair Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in Lombard, where I also work with another amazing female pediatric dentist. I like to stay busy! When I’m not in the office seeing patients I love spending time with my family and friends. I also love plants and gardening which became a new hobby over the pandemic shutdown. I’m originally from Oklahoma City- I’m proud of my Okie roots and you’ll see me sporting Cowboy boots regularly. I also like to get back to OKC as much as I can to see family and friends – and the city is booming so it’s fun to see how it’s changing and growing. Animal rescue and raising awareness about adoption has been a long time passion of mine since I was a kid. I have fostered over the years and done a lot of volunteering. Another part about Hinsdale I am grateful for is the amazing Hinsdale Humane Society, and their hard working and compassionate team. We tried to stay as involved as we can, personally and with our businesses. Currently we only have our two cats and two dogs at home, but have fostered frequently and hope to do so again soon.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Nick Riccio – husband, almost 5 year old son, Massimo
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Getting to know my patients and their families and building relationships is my favorite part of my career.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Well I know them all extremely well since I don’t cook – Nabuki, Fuller House, Vistro, Il Poggolio – we frequent them all. I also love checking out the restaurants in Chicago.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
almost 5 years
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Dr. Mike Klepacki
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I would love to go to Patagonia – experience Chile and Argentina and go hiking.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
My favorite movies are Jerry Maguire and Christmas Vacation, I quote them both weekly. TV is also a pandemic hobby, all time favorites are Seinfeld, Friends, Sopranos. My newest favorite is Succession.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Always realize how fortunate you are and be kind.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I want to climb Kilimanjaro with my best friend, Tasneem. She and her husband have lived and traveled all over the world but he climbed Kilimanjaro without her, so that’s on our mutual bucket list.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Toni’s
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and we’d go to the bar at Vistro.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love the historical houses and the Hinsdale Historical Society, I hope we can all work together to preserve our awesome history.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Keeping doing what I’m doing, but with more mature houseplants and my garden.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I think my close friends know this but I love to dance, but I’m horrible at it!
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Watching the sunrise at Mount Batur in Indonesia. Also the Taj Mahal literally took my breath aware.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
September? Christmas. October 31st – because it’s Halloween and its fun, and it’s my birthday. Plus I love fall and football and all the great stuff to come.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My Greenwich Sour cocktail recipe, I’ve perfected it and love making it for my friends.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My husband, Nick, and my badass girlfriends.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Love Le Labo fragrances – specifically Vetiver and Bergamote. And whole leaf tea – Earl Grey.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Hygge, Pets, Fireplace
