Staff

Heather started out as a dental assistant but left the “back” and became our office manager and then our COO. Heather loves coming to work every day and views both her patients and coworkers as family. When not working, Heather enjoys riding motorcycles with her husband, Jesse, spending time with their three kids, and one of her most favorite hobbies is shopping!

Margaret has been in the healthcare field for over 10 years and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Health Care Management at Appalachian State University in 2019. She enjoys spending time with friends and family and loves to travel with her husband, Zach. One of her favorite trips involved camping and sightseeing across Colorado! When she is home, she loves to cook and enjoys eating different types of foods. She has been a part of the Mills River Family Dental family for almost five years and loves her work family. Her favorite part of the job is to establish relationships with the patients at the office and strives to provide exceptional care to those at Mill River Family Dental!

Nadine is a dedicated professional who was born and raised in Asheville, NC. She joined our team in early September 2024. In addition to her role at our organization, Nadine serves as a commissioner for Fletcher youth sports and is actively involved in various Parent-Teacher Fellowship (PTF) boards at her children’s schools. In her spare time, Nadine enjoys spending time with her husband and children. She is committed to giving back to her community through volunteering at her church and supporting her children’s schools. Much of her free time is spent watching her children participate in sports activities.

Paityn grew up within the mountains and cannot imagine living anywhere else. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her boyfriend Tyler and her family, as well as taking trips and visiting other towns. Whether it’s going down to stay a weekend at the lake, taking a trip to the beach, or staying in a cabin in Tennessee, she is all in. Paityn is excited and committed to making your visit at Mills River Family Dental enjoyable and comfortable while creating a feeling of being valued and centered.

Penny joined our team in July 2024 and brings a passion for helping others, having volunteered at a local food pantry and cared for the elderly. A lifelong resident of the area, she loves the mountains and can’t imagine calling anywhere else home. She enjoys frequent trips to Key West with her sisters and friends and has two wonderful sons who have blessed her with five beautiful grandchildren. In her free time, she loves cooking Sunday family meals and spending time with her grandchildren or her 15-year-old fur baby, Missy.

Professional Conversationalist, Enthusiastic Storyteller, and Unofficial Chief of Chatter. With a knack for weaving words and a passion for lively discussions, I’m the person who can turn a simple hello into a fascinating conversation. When I’m not sharing my thoughts on everything from the latest books to the quirkiest trivia, you’ll find me exploring new topics and meeting interesting people. If you’re up for a good chat, I’m always ready to dive in and keep the dialogue flowing!

Alissa graduated from the dental assisting program at AB Tech in 2004 and started with our office in February 2021, after taking time off to enjoy her beautiful daughter Ellie.  She is a Brevard native, who loves spending time with her large, close-knit family.  In her free time, she enjoys baking and hanging out with her siblings, nieces & nephews, and numerous cousins. She loves spending time outside with family and friends and taking in everything the mountains have to offer.

Stay tuned! Misty’s bio is coming soon!

Christy is a valued member of our hygiene team with 16 years of experience in dental hygiene. A native of Hendersonville, she completed her associate degree in dental hygiene at Greenville Technical College in South Carolina and her bachelor’s degree at East Tennessee State University. Christy exudes a calm confidence that instantly puts her patients at ease. With years of experience, her gentle touch is both reassuring and precise. Known for her warm demeanor, she takes the time to listen and engage, ensuring that each patient feels valued and understood.

Outside of work, Christy loves spending time with her husband, Josh, and their three daughters, Rylee, Catelynn, and Caroline. She enjoys watching her girls dance and cheer. Her favorite vacation spots are the lake, camping with family in Tennessee, and the Florida
Keys.

With nine years of dedicated service at our dental office Sara-Diana brings a wealth of experience and a gentle touch to every patient visit. Known for her warm demeanor and thorough care, she ensures that each patient feels comfortable and well-informed about their oral health. She is a native to Brevard and currently lives in Mills River. She loves working with her patients to help them keep happy and healthy smiles. She is loving the journey of motherhood with her daughter BaxleyKate and son Elee. She enjoys traveling with her husband David and family to see as many new places as they can. Summer is her favorite time of year
and loves spending time at the lake with family and friends. Her favorite food is Mexican and of course anything chocolate!

Alicia has worked in the dental field for 11 years, and joined the Mills River Family Dental team in September of 2020. Alicia enjoys playing softball on the weekends with her friends, and spending time with family, boyfriend, and dog outside of work. Alicia looks forward to meeting new patients, and patients that have been with our practice for many years.

Doreen is originally from New Jersey and moved to North Carolina in 1990. She received her Dental Assisting diploma and Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene from AB-Tech. Her undergraduate degree in Health Promotion from Appalachian State University and a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from Western Carolina University. In her spare time, she enjoys mountain biking, family time, and traveling to watch her daughter’s volleyball.

Megan graduated from the Dental Hygiene Program at Greenville Technical College in 2006 and has over 17 years of experience in the dental field. She began her career in general dentistry before specializing in pediatric dentistry for 9 years. Megan combines extensive knowledge with practical skills, ensuring a high standard of care. Patience is a hallmark of her demeanor, allowing her to take the time needed to make patients feel comfortable and at ease during appointments. Thoughtfulness is evident in how she listens
to patients’ concerns and tailors her approach to meet individual needs, ensuring a positive
and reassuring experience.

Originally from Hendersonville, NC, Megan enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, their two boys, Lance and Camden and their dogs, Tiger and Macy. The family is also enthusiastic Clemson Tiger fans.

Tamara joined MRFD in August of 2022. Tamara also has experience in dialysis and currently is a Certified Medical Assistant. In her free time, she likes to shop and pamper herself. Tamara’s favorite thing to eat is seafood and she also loves sports (her favorite team is UNC Tarheels). Tamara is really excited to be a part of the team and is eager to learn the dental field.

Kayla joined Mills River Family as a dental assistant in April 2017. She has always aspiredd to help people in the dental field since she was young. Kayla loves spending time outdoors and on the water with her husband, son, and three dogs.

With over 40 years of experience in dental care, I am proud to be part of the team at Mills River Family Dental. My career has been dedicated to providing high-quality patient care and ensuring a comfortable, positive experience for everyone who walks through our doors. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with patients of all ages, helping them achieve and maintain healthy, beautiful smiles. I’m passionate about staying up-to-date with the latest dental techniques and technologies, which allows me to support both our patients and our dental team effectively. My commitment to patient care is at the heart of everything I do, and I look forward to continuing to serve the Mills River community.

Lauren joined Mills River Family Dental as a Certified Dental Assistant in April of 2022. She loves the MRFD family and helping others any way she can. When Lauren is not working, she loves traveling, online shopping, and finding new yummy places to eat around town. My favorite place to eat is Champa in downtown Hendersonville!

As a dedicated employee, Tierra joined our office in 2022. She has been in the dental field for 8 years. Once Tierra graduated from UTC she quickly fell in love with the mountains and moved to Asheville right away and has not looked back.Outside of working, Tierra loves to to spend time with her son and family, doing outdoor activities, traveling, and coaching basketball.

Bailey is a Hendersonville native that has worked in the service industry for many years and is excited to bring the skills learned there into the healthcare field! In her spare time, she loves baking, spending time outside, and hanging out with friends and family.

Stay tuned! Abbygail’s bio is coming soon!

Stay tuned! Kasey’s bio is coming soon!