Michael O’Donnell and his family moved to Santa Rosa Beach in 2004 to start his and his wife’s practices after professional school. “My wife is an Optometrist and I am a dentist,” O’Donnell said. Michael O’Donnell is the owner of Great Florida Smiles & Orthodontics and O’Donnell Eye Institute, where him and his wife both work. Growing up in the Florida Keys it was always his childhood dream to become a dentist. The O’Donnell’s are a very active family and love to travel and explore new places together. Not only is Dr. O’Donnell a dentist but he is also a pilot. 

“I got my pilot’s license in 2009 and we all take turns planning trips to take in our little Cessna plane. Haley is my oldest daughter/copilot and she is training to get her pilot’s license as well,” he said. When the family isn’t traveling they’re usually enjoying the coastal life on their boat and spending time with friends. 

“I feel very fortunate to live in such a wonderful place where I have made a beautiful family and have a career that I truly enjoy. Life is good,” O’Donnell said. 

Please tell us a little bit about your family.

We have 4 children: Haley (13), Megan (9), Layla (7), and Mikey (7). My wife, Lan, is an amazing chef and loves to cook so we usually center our activities around eating great food. We love to travel together.

Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do? How did you get into your industry?

After graduating high school, I attended Stetson University and met Lan. Our dream was to open a joint practice, Dental, and Optometry. We both continued onto professional school and during that time we were in search of the perfect place to live, start our practices and raise a family. One visit to Destin/Santa Rosa Beach area and we knew this was the place. We moved our wooden boat here that I restored during dental school at that was our home for a while with our 2 Siberian Huskies, Bandit, and Dallas. We started our practices from scratch, not wanting to be under the influence of insurance companies. What seems like just a quick flash later, we find ourselves living in a house (lol) with four children, two puppies, and nonstop activity hopping. We are hanging on tight for the ride.

What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?

There are so many great places to eat and socialize in this community and that is one of the things we love most about living here. A couple of our regular spots include Louis Louis, Bistro Bijoux, Vintage, and Craft bar. We absolutely love Townsend Catering for larger events!

From where are you originally, long have you lived or worked in our community and how did you end up here?

I was raised in Islamorada, FL and my wife is from Birmingham. When deciding where to live, Lan’s top priority was shopping and mine was boating. After visiting here are meeting the great people who love living here, we knew this was the best place for us to be. We moved here in May 2004.

Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?

Ann Nunn is one of the first people to welcome us in this community and we greatly admire her many talents and amazing vision for remodeling properties.

When you have free time, what are some of your places to go and things to do here locally? When guests visit, where are the first places you take them?

We enjoy bike riding on 30A to different places to eat. When friends visit, my favorite thing to do is take them on the boat and tour Destin Harbour, then head out of East Pass and ride along the shore to Panama City inlet and return home through the Intracoastal.

What advice would you give to people?

Try to be a good listener. Have a positive outlook and be true to yourself.

What is something on your bucket list?

Live on a boat after I retire and travel on it wherever and whenever I feel like going.

What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?

Donut Hole

What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?

I love looking at the architecture along 30A and how each community has unique characteristics.

Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?

We will still have 2 children at home and I’ll be getting more serious about that searching for that perfect boat I want to travel on.

Who inspires you to be better?

Successful and honest people.

What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?

Family, Oasis, waterfront

Is there anything you would like to add or like people to know about you or your business?

I am a value-driven individual and I appreciate excellent quality and exceptional service. We strive to ensure that our offices reflect these characteristics.