Dr. Nease was born in Parrottsville, TN (pop 110), a small town in East Tennessee that has the distinction of being the 3rd oldest town in the state of Tennessee. His passion for orthodontics started when he was 14 years old. His orthodontist was Dr. Joe Henley in Greenville, TN. Dr Henley was a great mentor, and after seeing how orthodontics changed his own smile and life, as well as others around him, he knew he wanted to be part of that profession.
He graduated as Valedictorian from Cocke County (TN) High School in 1988 and graduated from the University of Tennessee (Go Vols!) in 1992. He then attended the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in Memphis, TN, where he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree as Valedictorian of his graduating class in 1996. He remained at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry for his orthodontic training, and received his Master of Dental Science (MDS) degree in June of 1999. He immediately joined the practice of Dr. Phil Higginbotham in Spartanburg, beginning a wonderful professional relationship and friendship that endures today.
They have four adult children (Sydney, Cameron, Ansley and Reagan) in various stages of higher education that keep them very busy! They also have one dog (Charlie), and a cat (Lucy). Dr. Nease is a lifelong sports enthusiast, and has been active either playing or watching sports his entire life. He is the #1 Tennessee Volunteer fan in SC (self-proclaimed), and attends Carolina Panthers (Keep Pounding!) and Charlotte Hornets (Bring Back the Buzz!) games as often as possible. He golfs, hunts, and goes snow skiing when the powder is right!
She called Atlanta home for the first 16 years of her life up until she moved to a small town in northern Virginia named Middleburg, aptly named for its location halfway between Washington DC and Winchester, VA.
From the time she could crawl, she has been an equine and animal enthusiast. This passion initially inspired her to pursue a major in Animal and Veterinary Science at Clemson University, and she also minored in business administration. It was not until the spring of her senior year, having already been accepted into vet school, that some sincere soul searching led her to explore other professions.
A visit to the dentist in Clemson peaked her interest in dentistry, and after a semester of shadowing at his office, it was clear where her new path would lead her. Dentistry became her passion and purpose and while in dental school she decided to pursue specialty training in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.
She graduated high school from the Foxcroft School in Middleburg VA in 2006 and completed her Bachelor of Science degree from Clemson University (Go Tigers!) in 2010. She attended theMedical University of South Carolina (MUSC)in Charleston, SC for dental school where she graduated top of her dental school class for clinical excellence and number two overall.
In June of 2019, she completed her residency in orthodontics at the University of Michigan, one of the countrys top residency programs. During her time at the University of Michigan, Dr. Thomas was class president of her residency class, chief resident, co-organizer of the national conference GORP, the resident director on the board of directors for theAmerican Association of Orthodontists Foundationand she received her Master of Orthodontics degree (MS). Upon graduation, she immediately joined the incredible team constructed byDr. Eric NeaseandDr. Phil Higginbothamat Nease and Higginbotham Orthodontics in Spartanburg, Gaffney, Duncan and Union South Carolina.
They have two wonderful four-legged kids, a black lab, Belle, and a beagle, Beau. Raised in a family of all girls, she was her dads boy and shares his love of the outdoors. As a family, they enjoy all outdoor activities and are excited to explore all the upstate has to offer. Dr. Thomas and her family love horses, shooting sporting clays, bird hunting, any and all things fitness and a little fine dining along the way. They are looking forward to being back in the South and being closer to family as well as playing an integral part of Nease and Higginbotham Orthodontics, their church and their community. Alex and Zack are also looking forward to diving back into Clemson athletics! Go Tigers!
Dr. Higginbotham was born and raised in Crossett, Arkansas. Upon graduating from high school, he attended the University of Arkansas (Go Razorbacks!). He attended dental school at the University of Tennessee at Memphis, where he graduated with a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. After graduation, he served his country in the United States Navy as a dentist,spending three years in the Philippines. He traveled extensively throughout the Far East to Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, and India. After his military service, he attended St. Louis University School of Orthodontics, receiving a Master of Science in Orthodontics in 1972.
Dr. Higginbotham has maintained membership in various professional organizations throughout his career. He was also one of the first members of the prestigious Schulman Study Group, a nationally recognized association of prominent orthodontic practices. Dr. Higginbotham estimates treating over 15,000 plus patients through the years.
Dr. Gary Horvath is a graduate of Dorman High School. He received his undergraduate degree in Biology from Wofford College in 1983. He then attended the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, graduating with very high distinction with a DMD degree in 1989.
To further his education, Dr. Horvath received his Masters degree and orthodontic specialty certificate in 1992 from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. He is involved in several professional organizations including the American Association of Orthodontists, the American Dental Association, the Piedmont District Dental Society and the Spartanburg County Dental Society. He is a member of the Episcopal Church as well as several other local, regional and international charitable organizations.
In Dr. Horvaths spare time he enjoys playing guitar, traveling, photography, reading, along with studying scripture and theology. He is a technology enthusiast and enjoys supporting the technology needs of several local churches, participating in mission work and most of all, gathering with family and friends.