Staff Directory | Altoona Smiles, P.C.

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Joe Pahlka

Front Team Lead

Joe was born in San Jose California and moved to Des Moines, IA in 2001 along with his parents and 1 sibling. In Joes free time, he enjoys visiting with friends & family, reading, watching movies and traveling. Joe enjoys providing exceptional customer service to all of our patients with a bright smile!

joseph@altoonasmiles.com

Lisa Owen

Reception

Lisa was born and raised in Clinton, Iowa. She joined the Altoona Smiles team in December 2015. She has been married to her husband Jim FOREVER and they have two sons, Matt & Nick. In her free time Lisa enjoys reading, shopping, and working as a freelance makeup artist. Lisa enjoys greeting all of our patients on a daily basis with a bright smile!

lisa@altoonasmiles.com

Julie Book

Reception

Julie grew up in Walnut, IA. She currently lives in West Des Moines. In her free time she enjoys sports, traveling and being with friends and family. She also enjoys working part time at Scratch Cupcakery. Julie loves getting to know our patients and working with them to provide each and every one with a 5 star experience.

julieb@altoonasmiles.com

Katie Eliason

Marketing Coordinator

Katie grew up in Tipton, Iowa and now lives in Des Moines. She is a graduate of Iowa State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and a Minor in Advertising. She also has her Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design. Katie enjoys spending her free time with family and friends, working out, traveling, and playing with her dog, River. Katie enjoys meeting new people and getting to know their goals and aspirations!

k atie@altoonasmiles.com

Tina Byal

Accounts Manager

Tina grew up in Colfax. She is married to Scott and they have 2 children Ashton and Gage. She joined Altoona Smiles in 2010 as a part time Accounts Manager. In Tina's spare time she enjoys reading, movies, biking and the outdoors. She is a 2000 graduate of ISU. Tina enjoys working in a state of the art facility where patients can receive excellent care in a fun and friendly environment!

tina@altoonasmiles.com

Brittany Wilson

Financial Team Lead

Brittany grew up in Colfax, Iowa and currently lives in Mingo, Iowa with her fiancé Preston and son Elijah. Preston and Brittany welcomed their son in May 2016! In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family and traveling to Wisconsin to cheer on her father in mini-rod tractor pulling. She joined Altoona Smiles in August of 2016. Brittany looks forward to meeting new people and making sure they obtain the highest quality of care!

brittany@altoonasmiles.com

Amanda Winkel

Benefits Coordinator

Amanda grew up in State Center, Iowa and now lives in Altoona with her husband, Jesse and their daughter Layla. She is a 2007 graduate of Marshalltown Community College (Dental Assisting). Amanda loves spending her free time with family and friends and entertaining her cat, Milly. Amanda enjoys being a part of a growing team dedicated to giving our patients a beautiful healthy smile.

amanda@altoonasmiles.com

Jennifer Miller

Benefits Coordinator

Jenny grew up and resides in Des Moines. She is married to Bill and they have 1 teenaged son, Coehn. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family and friends. She loves watching baseball, softball and football. She joined Altoona Smiles in March 2018. Jenny loves meeting new people and is happy to be part of a team that strives to give patients the best care, in a fun and professional environment.

jennifer@altoonasmiles.com

Amber Huntrod

Benefits Coordinator

Amber grew up in the Altoona area, graduating from Southeast Polk in 2003. She lives in Des Moines with her husband Kyle. They welcomed their twins Aria & Leo December 2015! In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family and friends. She loves watching the Cubs and doing anything outdoors! She joined the Altoona Smiles team in 2014 and loves being able to help our patients gain the confidence they deserve, while finding a financial plan that works for them.

amber@altoonasmiles.com

April Corley

Hygiene Team Lead

April grew up in Emmetsburg, Iowa and she now lives in Des Moines. She is a 2013 graduate from Kirkwood Community College (Dental Hygiene) and The University of Iowa (Marketing). April loves spending her free time reading, playing with her dog and hanging out with family and friends. April enjoys meeting new people and helping them obtain a healthy and beautiful smile.

april@altoonasmiles.com

Dallas Gagner

Hygienist

Dallas grew up in Stanwood, Iowa and now lives in Waukee. She graduated from Kirkwood Community College in 2016 with her degree in Dental Hygiene. In her free time she enjoys working out, being outdoors, having fun with friends and family, and of course, hanging out with her dog. As a hygienist, Dallas enjoys developing relationships with patients and making them feel comfortable while giving them the best care possible!

dallas@altoonasmiles.com

Emily Frank

Hygienist

Emily grew up in Holstein, Iowa and now lives in Ankeny. Her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Biology is from Concordia University, Ne. She is a 2012 graduate from the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry. She joined Altoona Smiles in 2015. In her spare time she enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors. She likes getting to know patients and their families while providing the highest quality of patient care.

emily@altoonasmiles.com

Sabrina Richardson

Hygienist

Sabrina grew up in Fort Dodge and moved to Waukee for High School. She has remained in the Des Moines area ever since. She graduated from the Des Moines Area Community College Dental Hygiene program in 2015. Sabrina enjoys being active, listening to music, spending time with family and friends - and her cat, Nala. As a Dental Hygienist, she enjoys educating patients and helping them obtain a healthy and beautiful smile!

sabrina@altoonasmiles.com

Ashley Stark

Hygienist

Ashley grew up in Urbandale, Iowa and moved back to Urbandale after graduating from the University of South Dakota in 2018 with her bachelor's degree in dental hygiene. In her free time, she loves to be outdoors and spends a lot of time with her family and friends. She thoroughly enjoys being a dental hygienist and loves building and maintaining long-lasting relationships with patients.

ashley@altoonasmiles.com

Meredith Soukup

Treatment Coordinator Team Lead

Meredith grew up in Indianola, Iowa and now lives in Des Moines. She is married to her husband Tyler and they have two dogs Bailey & Bo. She is a 2010 graduate of Des Moines Area Community College in the Dental Assisting program. In Meredith's free time she enjoys hanging out with family and friends, riding her horses, playing with her dogs, and attending sporting events with her husband. Meredith enjoys meeting new people and helping them obtain a beautiful smile every day!

meredith@altoonasmiles.com

Kelli Nielson

Treatment Coordinator

Kelli is a 2008 graduate of DMACC. She joined the Altoona Smiles team in 2010. Kelli enjoys spending time with her cute little daughter, Londyn. In her spare time she gets together with friends and family and enjoys working out. Kelli loves making people smile!

kelli@altoonasmiles.com

Shelby Baumgarten

Treatment Coordinator

Shelby grew up in Altoona and currently resides there with her family. She is married to her husband Derek and they have two boys Kaden and Gavin. She graduated from Des Moines Area Community College in the Dental Assisting program in 2010. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors, & watching movies. She enjoys building relationships with her patients and making her patients smile!

shelby@altoonasmiles.com

Stacey Newton

Treatment Coordinator

Stacey grew up in Iowa Falls, Iowa. She is a 2013 graduate of the Marshalltown Community College in the Dental Assisting program. Stacey enjoys spending her free time working out, being outdoors, reading and spending time with friends and family. She loves meeting new people and helping them obtain a beautiful and healthy smile everyday.

stacey@altoonasmiles.com

Julia Werger

Treatment Coordinator

Julia grew up in Adel, Iowa and moved to West Des Moines in 2012 and graduated from DMACC with her Associates Degree and Dental Assisting diploma in 2016. In Julia's free time she loves to either stay in with her family or spend time outside taking walks or going fishing and swimming. She loves to travel any chance she can get and see new places with friends and family. Julia loves meeting new people and making them smile.

julia@altoonasmiles.com

Rhonda Taylor

Treatment Coordinator

Rhonda grew up in Newton, Iowa and currently lives there. She is a 2011 graduate of Marshalltown Community College in the dental assisting program. Rhonda has one son, Tanner. She enjoys playing with her two cats, Mr. Tugs and Princess Petunia Tulip Taylor. In her spare time she loves teaching dance, reading, gardening and crafts! Rhonda enjoys building relationships with her patients and seeing them smile.

rhonda@altoonasmiles.com