Meet our Team

Elfi

I am originally from Germany. I have worked at Lake Michigan Dental for 25 years (1995) as Dr. Hallas’s assistant, but in the dental field for a total of 45 years. I have one beautiful daughter and five awesome grandchildren. They keep me on my toes, with never a dull moment, and I love them to pieces. I also am an Exchange Student Representative, which has opened a door to the world for me. I treasure the friendships that I’ve made and the ongoing relationships with so many students.

What I like about LMD: I enjoy the work environment and am very comfortable with the knowledge of delivering top quality dentistry and treating every patient with respect and dignity. I also love the longtime connections and diversity of our awesome patients.

Pamela

I grew up on the Westside and graduated from Grand Rapids Community College Dental Assisting. I have been a dental assistant for 40 years, and currently assist Dr. Chris Sampair. I am very blessed to serve the amazing doctors, staff, and especially our patients. We have been a generational practice on the Westside of Grand Rapids for over 60 years.

I have been married for 37 years and have a son, daughter and three beautiful granddaughters. I enjoy walking…a lot! I try and walk about 300 miles every summer.

Joanne

I am the longest working employee at Lake Michigan Dental, including the present doctors. I was hired as Dr. Hazen’s assistant in 1956!!! After his retirement in 1990, I became Dr. Michael Palaszek’s assistant and still am, to this date.

I have two sons, three grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. I love going for walks, reading, and playing the piano.

Laurie

I am a front desk administrator. I have been in the dental field for 27 years, 24 of those years at Lake Michigan Dental (1996). I enjoy the front desk atmosphere, especially since I’m a Westsider and enjoy the bonding and interaction with our patients. We have a dedicated caring and fun team at LMD that makes for an enjoyable working experience.

I have been married for 21 years to my husband Jason. Jason and I have three daughters, one son, and 2 grandchildren. Our kids are involved in sports and other activities that keep us very busy. I enjoy traveling, kayaking, reading, and cooking when I have the time.

Shelly

I have been working in the dental field for more than 25+ years, and I love it! I feel very privileged to be a part of the LMD family since January 2017 as one of the front desk administrators. I love seeing the beautiful smiles of everyone, including our LMD staff and our patients! The lasting relationships that are built between our patients, our supportive coworkers, and our caring doctors are absolutely priceless!

I have lived, loved and supported the Westside of Grand Rapids my entire life. My husband and I are blessed with three daughters and three sons-in-law, along with 6 adorable grandchildren (3 girls, 3 boys) and 1 adult granddaughter. Outside of work — I am always spending time with my family and my “littles” every change I get. I love to garden in my yard and learn about plants and flowers. My husband and I also love to travel, explore new places, hike new trails, and just generally be outdoors and enjoy nature.

Barb

I am blessed to have joined this great dental family here at LMD in the spring 2019, working as an office administrator with several years of previous experience. I enjoy meeting our wonderful patients, and helping them achieve their best dental oral health needs, under the care of our amazing doctors, assistants, Hygienists, and office staff.

In my personal life with my family, we enjoy friends, game nights, crafts, sports, and our backyard pool.

Annie

My dental career started over 30 years ago. I have been a front office team member here at LMD since summer 2019. I have been blessed to find such an awesome dental family to call home. The doctors here at LMD are so generous and I work with some great people. And it was an added blessing that I can now actually walk to work! Building relationships with our patients is a very rewarding experience.

I am happily married to Larry, and we have a big wonderful blended family with 6 married kids, 24 grandkids, and a great granddaughter. I love spending my free time with them all. Also, in my spare time, we enjoy heading North to our property in Kalkaska in which spend most weekends there in the summer months, we enjoy boating, trail riding, and swimming in Torch Lake. Scrapbooking is also my favorite pastime.

Heather

My dental career started 21 years ago and I enjoy it so much! I have known from an early age that this was the field I wanted to be in. There is no other dental family that I would want to be a part of, other than here at Lake Michigan Dental, which I joined in the summer of 2020 as a front office administrator. The experience and care at LMD are bar none!

In my spare time, I love to bike, exercise, and enjoy outdoor activities. I have two wonderful sons. Together we enjoy adventuring and spending time as a family.

Donna

I graduated from Grand Rapids Community College Dental Hygiene Program in 1996. I have been with LMD for over 20 years. I am grateful to work for such amazing doctors that provide excellent care! I genuinely appreciate the relationships I have developed with my patients over the years.

I love spending time with family…my husband, four children, three grandchildren, our puppy Layla, summer pool days and Sunday football!

Samie

I first started working for LMD in 2016 as a dental hygienist substitute. Almost a year later, I was ecstatic to accept a fulltime position with the office. After filling in at many other offices, I knew this was the office I wanted to be committed to permanently. The entire staff makes it such a fun and enjoyable environment to work in.

I recently married my husband this past June 2020. We hope to get a dog once we buy a house with a decent yard for her to play in. I enjoy cooking and making up my own recipes to add to a personalized cookbook that I am making. I also enjoy kayaking and hiking in my free time.

Sully

Hi, I’m Sully! I have been in hygiene for over 20 years, with the last 5 years at Lake Michigan Dental (2015). Good people. Great doctors. Good experience.

I enjoy playing tennis, hockey and guitar in my spare time. I love sunsets and long walks on the beach, and the feeling of sand between my toes!

Hannah

I have been working as a dental hygienist for about 3 ½ years. After graduating from Ferris State University, I started my dental career in the Chicago area, before recently moving back to Michigan in 2020. What I like about working at Lake Michigan Dental is the ability to build relationships with many generations of patients.

In my free time, I love exploring Grand Rapids with my husband, Jake, and any outdoor adventure with our pup, Ferris. I also enjoy anytime I am able to spend with family and friends.

Emily

I have been a part of the LMD team for only a short time, July 2020. I started my hygiene career in 2017, but have been involved in dental missions since high school, accompanying my dad, who is an endodontist, on many dental mission trips all over. This started my passion for dentistry and helping people. When I’m not doing dentistry here or abroad, my husband and I love hiking, camping, and traveling. We have three dogs: Stella, Starky, and Bennett. My goal in life is to see and hike in all the national parks.

Before I started at LMD, I had subbed previously in this office. Knowing how the doctors hold themselves to a high standard with providing quality work, I knew this was definitely a place I would enjoy being at. Everyone at the office provides a fun work environment and makes sure we are delivering the best patient care.

Rachel

I am a recent dental hygiene grad and the newest member of the LMD team (2020). I am new to the Grand Rapids area, recently moving here with my boyfriend and our pitbull, Tyson. In my free time, I enjoy camping, hiking, and exploring our great state.

I love the welcoming atmosphere Lake Michigan Dental provides to its staff and patients. Even though we are a larger practice, LMD feels like home.

Kelly

Kelly graduated from Grand Rapids Community College in 1995 with a degree in Applied Arts and Science for Dental Hygiene. Kelly’s favorite part of being a dental hygienist is meeting new and interesting people every day.

Outside of work, Kelly enjoys spending time with her husband and 4 kids. Some of her favorite activities include going on camping trips, watching her kids compete in sports, tending to her garden, and playing with her new puppy, Marlie.

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Lake Michigan Dental

2150 Lake Michigan Dr NW #A Grand Rapids, MI 49504

(616) 453-8211

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