Firefighter Chris Cavanaugh
20 Years of Service

Chris Cavanaugh’s introduction to firefighting came through mentorship—he once worked with a retired Jacksonville Fire Rescue chief who recognized his potential. Two decades later, Cavanaugh has built a career defined by teamwork and resilience.

“The importance of teamwork, and just how fragile life can be. That’s what this job teaches you,” he reflects. It’s a perspective forged on countless calls where seconds matter and trust in your crew is everything.
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Away from the station, Cavanaugh embraces balance: family time, golf, snowboarding, and fitness. It’s that mix of adrenaline and stillness, teamwork and solitude, that keeps him grounded in a demanding career.


Paramedic Henry Bishop
3.5 Years of Service
Henry Bishop’s path to the firehouse wasn’t direct, but it was inevitable. He once managed tattoo shops at the beach, supervised a natural foods grocery, and even trained as a radiographer at Mayo Clinic. Yet the spark of service began early, when he worked as a lifeguard at 14. The medical side of helping people never left him.

“I realized radiography wasn’t for me. I needed something more hands-on, more alive,” he recalls. Conversations with firefighters at the tattoo shop sealed his decision. Within days, he left Mayo’s program and enrolled in fire school. “It was one of the best decisions I ever made.”

Bishop has since earned certifications in paramedicine, HAZMAT, and USAR, but the lessons that resonate most aren’t technical. “This job has taught me how precious life is. Never to take time with loved ones for granted.” Off duty, Bishop finds balance outdoors, fishing, hunting, or hiking, often for hours at a time. “It’s important to have outlets. For me, the outdoors is where I reset.”


Lieutenant  Justin Dailey
11 Years of Service
Justin Dailey never set out to be a firefighter. At 20, he enlisted in the Air Force, unsure of what career path to take. His recruiter made a suggestion that would change everything: firefighting. The moment Dailey stepped into the military fire academy, he knew he had found his calling.

Now more than a decade into his career with St. Johns County Fire Rescue, Dailey has come to see firefighting as both a profession and a philosophy. “Being a firefighter has taught me that obstacles are opportunities,” he says. It’s a lesson that shapes not just his work but the way he approaches life itself.
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When the uniform comes off, Dailey devotes himself to family time and fitness, grounding his life in the same discipline and teamwork that define his career.

Firefighter Samuel Wick
4 Years of Service


Born in England, Samuel Wick grew up watching Fireman Sam, a children’s program about a cheerful firefighter who always saved the day. Years later, that childhood fascination found real-life expression. After a career in underground utility sales, Wick traded tools of business for the tools of rescue.
For Wick, firefighting is not just a job but a vocation, and a family. “It comes with a second family,” he says. “I get to become the real-life Fireman Sam.”

The role has sharpened more than his professional skills. “It’s taught me discipline, integrity, and how to be a better father, husband, son, and friend.” At home, he spends his days off with his wife and three young boys. That time, he says, is every bit as precious as the time spent on shift.


The Heart of Service

Each of these men found their way to the fire service from different roads: a tattoo shop, the military, a sales career, a mentor’s encouragement. But together, their stories reflect the same truth: Firefighting is less about the flames than about the lives protected, the families comforted, and the community strengthened.
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This October, as we reflect on fire prevention and safety, St. Johns County honors not just the work of its firefighters but the humanity that fuels it. Behind every call answered is a life lived with purpose, courage, and an unshakable bond to the place we all call home.

October is National Orthodontic Health Month, a reminder that orthodontics is about more than perfecting appearances. “A straight smile is beautiful, of course,” says Dr. Christopher Henry of Henry Advanced Orthodontics, “but it also makes a big difference in overall health. Teeth that fit together the right way are easier to clean, which helps prevent gum disease and cavities. They also function better—making it easier to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. When we talk about creating a healthy smile, we’re really talking about supporting a healthier, happier life.”

That perspective reflects how much the field has evolved. For decades, orthodontics carried the stereotype of being “just for kids.” Today, Dr. Henry sees a different story. “In our office, about 30 to 40 percent of patients are adults, and that number keeps growing,” he explains. Some adults had braces years ago and want to restore their smile after shifting, while others never had the opportunity as children. Now, with discreet treatments like clear aligners, it’s easier than ever for adults to get results without the stigma of “teenage braces.”

Behind every transformation is a careful balance of technology and artistry. Digital tools now allow orthodontists to study each case in extraordinary detail before treatment begins, ensuring tooth movement is both precise and efficient. But for Dr. Henry, science alone isn’t enough. “Every smile is unique—almost like a trademark for that person. Our job is to make sure it looks natural, fits their personality, and gives them the confidence to shine.”

​That philosophy extends to the practice itself, where the team plays a central role. “This is never a one-person job,” Dr. Henry emphasizes. “It takes our whole team—each with their own role—to create a smooth, positive experience for patients from start to finish.” Patients often describe the office as a place where skill and technology meet warmth and encouragement, making the journey feel personal rather than clinical.

Families in St. Johns, especially during the back-to-school season, are often concerned about timing. Dr. Henry recommends scheduling a child’s first orthodontic checkup around age seven. At that stage, orthodontists can monitor how teeth and jaws are developing and intervene early if needed, often preventing more complex treatment later. “The start of the school year is actually a great time to schedule an evaluation,” he notes, since children are already adapting to new routines. His office also works to accommodate busy schedules, offering flexible appointment times and quick visits to minimize disruption.

And while October may be Orthodontic Health Month, it’s also Halloween season—a tricky time for kids with braces. Dr. Henry and his team prepare families with guidance and alternatives so children can still enjoy the holiday without risking broken brackets. “Halloween can be tricky when you have braces, but it doesn’t mean kids can’t enjoy it,” he says.

Still, for Dr. Henry, the heart of orthodontics is transformation. “This is the best part of what we do,” he reflects. “For some patients, the change is gradual and they don’t realize just how much they’ve grown until the braces come off. The look on their face when they see their new smile—it’s priceless. Others celebrate every little step along the way. No matter how it happens, watching someone’s confidence grow as their smile transforms never gets old. It’s why we love what we do.”
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In a community like St. Johns, where families juggle busy lives, orthodontics is less about vanity and more about investing in long-term health and confidence. At Henry Advanced Orthodontics, it’s a process of precision, care, and artistry—building not just straighter smiles, but brighter lives.