About Our Team

Joy

Front Desk Coordinator
I have worked in the dental field since 1991. I have been married to my husband, Ivan, for 51 years. We have 3 grown children, John, Christina, and Craig. We also have 5 grandchildren.

Christina

Front Desk Coordinator

I am excited to join the team at Paw Paw Family Dentistry and to be able to work in my hometown. I originally graduated from college as a health teacher and spent several years as a community health educator before finding my first job as a dental assistant in 2000. There I found a very unexpected love of working in the dental office!

Over the years I have worked on the clinical side of dentistry as an assistant, and on the administrative side as an office manager. From both sides I truly enjoy helping patients become healthier, watching their transformations, and helping them feel comfortable during their visits. I even enjoy helping our patients unravel the mysteries of their dental insurance.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with family, gardening, reading, and cooking. I live in Paw Paw with my husband Jeff and several cats. Jeff and I enjoy traveling, snorkeling, and hiking. We hope to have the chance to visit all of the National Parks someday.

Annie

Hygienist

I have been a dental hygienist for 12 years. An enjoyable part of my job is the opportunity to visit with people and get to know their families (including their pets!). I feel privileged to work at Paw Paw Family Dentistry because I sense the staff wants to establish long-term relationships among people in the community and provide a caring, quality approach.

I have lived in the area for seven years, and prior to that spent time in both North Dakota and New York. What I like most about the SW Michigan area is the running community. I became friends with a pretty red-headed runner when I moved here, and now she is my daughter-in-law. I have been married for 30 years, have a son, daughter-in-law, a kitty named Loo Loo, and two grand-kitties named Phoebe and Zoe. I ran the (inaugural) Kalamazoo Marathon in 2011 with my daughter-in-law and we skipped across the finish line “arm-and-arm”.

Beth

Hygienist

My name is Beth. I am married to Dave Conner and together we own Fresh Perspective Home Care, a non-medical home care agency. We have two children, Brody and Kristin, a junior and a freshman respectively, at Lawton Community Schools. Brody loves wrestling and hopes to wrestle in college on day. He is following in his father’s footsteps as he and his team are making a run at being State Champions. He also plays football, runs track and loves working out to stay in shape. Kristin loves playing soccer, and is excited top lay on Lawton’s first girls’ soccer team. She also stays active playing basketball and running track and cross country.

We feel like we live on a farm…with our dog, cat and guinea pig! I have been a hygienist for 23 years. I love getting to know people beyond just knowing their mouths. I love hearing about their families and all the activities about small town life. My husband is originally from this area and we love raising our family in Lawton. Being in a small town is special because even if someone doesn’t know your name, they will always offer a friendly smile.

Doreen

Dental Assistant

I am originally from Chicago and worked there most of my life adult life. However, as a child I grew up in Lawton, Michigan. I have wonderful memories of weekends and summer vacations in such a great small town. I have now moved here permanently to be with my dad.

After graduating from high school I immediately began working in the dental field. Ever since my very first experience with the patients, I knew this would be my career choice for life. I love working with people and it’s a huge reward to help a person smile again!

I am very fortunate and blessed to have found an opening with such a great dentist. The staff is fantastic and great to work with.

Heather

Hygienist

After graduating from Kalamazoo Valley Community College in 1990, Heather assisted the same dentist for 18 years. In that time her career choice turned into a passion and she was given opportunities to volunteer with the underserved population in the Detroit area. She also trained and supervised new assistants graduating from her same program.

Realizing that Heather wanted to do more for her patients and the people of her community, she made the decision to move to the Kalamazoo area in 2006 in order to complete her degree in dental hygiene. After graduating from dental hygiene school in 2010, she was hired at Paw Paw Family Dentistry where she is able to use her 24 years of experience as a dental assistant, along with her newly mastered skills as a hygienist. She is a great asset in educating patients on proper home care and nutrition.

Within one year Heather moved to Paw Paw where she looks forward to volunteering in the city she has grown to love. When she is not working, Heather spends her free time camping with her boyfriend. She has one dog and four cats, two of which have been recently rescued from the Paw Paw area.

Paulette

Hygienist

Hello. My name is Paulette and I am a hygienist at PPFD. I have lived in Parchment for eight years since I moved from my hometown of Lansing. I am expecting my first niece in March, 2013. I have no children of my own and am not yet married, but Chris and I have been together for almost six years. He is a baker for Sarkozy Bakery in Kalamazoo. I have always enjoyed cooking, so we spend a lot of time together in the kitchen. I like to spend my time camping, swimming, and attending car shows and music festivals. I would love to grow a vegetable garden in the near future.

Another activity that keeps me busy is attending dental seminars throughout the year. Hygienists in Michigan are required to earn 36 credits/3 years of continuing education to stay up-to-date with information and technique. The most gratifying part of being a hygienist for me is watching people grow in their positive lifestyle choices. I enjoy teamwork as part of a dental staff, but also as value the relationships I build with my clients. Helping people boost their own self-esteem is exciting, and I am proud when my job can encourage and help maintain health.

Lori

Marketing & Public Relations

Wife to Dr. Randall and also the mother of our two young boys, I enjoy the opportunity to help wherever there’s a need with our family business. I’m originally an elementary teacher and spent many years in classroom, working in Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan. Brad actually proposed to me during an all-school assembly!

I currently handle the marketing needs of Paw Paw Family Dentistry and value the experience of growing closer to both the staff and the community. When I’m not stopping in at the office, I can be found subbing at our boys’ school, driving on field trips, or putting up bulletin boards. I have fun with photography, camping, travel, sushi, and art.