Dr. C. Neil Nicholson heads a successful orthodontic practice, with offices in Seattle and Bellevue, Washington. He opened his first orthodontic practice in Seattle in 1994, developed a partnership with Orthodontic Centers of America (the nation's leading orthodontic management firm) in 1996 and added the Bellevue practice in 1997. Both practices have grown significantly. Dr. Nicholson's goal is to achieve recognition for his practices as major orthodontic referral centers in the two cities.

Dr. Nicholson views himself and his staff as a team that strives to provide excellence in clinical care and customer service. He is committed to providing orthodontic service to underprivileged children and offers treatment to kids in need, regardless of ability to pay. In 2000, he was a recipient of the National Association of Black Accountants (Seattle chapter) "Entrepreneur of the Year," awarded to a person who constantly strives to be a positive influence in the community. Seattle's Better Business Bureau recently nominated him for the Small Business of the Year Award.

Dr. Nicholson combines a love for music and the arts and a commitment to community involvement by serving on the advisory board of the Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center, which involves at-risk youth in the performing arts.

Believing that a helping hand extended to a young person at the right time can allow latent potential to flourish, Dr. Nicholson routinely offers students the opportunity to learn more about the dentistry profession and helps them obtain dental care when needed.

Dr. Nicholson credits three people with encouraging and guiding him throughout his school, career and life: Ann O'Neal, his aunt and a teacher in the Seattle Public School District; the late Joe Fabre', an attorney and mentor; and his wife, Dr. Seok Bee Lim, a pediatric dentist who has dedicated her career to helping underprivileged children.

A 1989 graduate of the University of Washington School of Dentistry, Dr. Nicholson received a certificate in hospital dentistry a year after successfully completing the prestigious University of Washington General Practice Residency. Dr. Nicholson received his certificate in orthodontics from Howard University in 1993.

Dr. Nicholson is a member of the American Dental Association, the National Dental Association, the Washington State Dental Association, the Seattle King County Dental Society, the American Association of Orthodontists, the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists and the Washington State Society of Orthodontists.