“Taking care of business” at Englund and DesRoches Dentistry is accomplished by the best person possible, Elsa B. Her background and interests led her in a round about way into dentistry. Elsa was born in Missoula, Montana into a Lutheran pastor’s family. Being the youngest of the family was the beginning of her education in the dynamics of a small group. She graduated with a BA in education from Pacific Lutheran University before marrying her charming husband, Jack, who works at White’s Boots. She has two stepchildren, Randy and Robin, and an adorable granddaughter Haley.
Elsa has worked with Dr. Englund since 1983, most of those years as the business manager. She coordinates all office finances, payroll, staff insurance and retirement plans, and helps out at the front desk. Due to Elsa’s high integrity and honesty, she is an awesome person for this position. She balances her stressful job with quiet hours at home reading & quilting, and enjoys weekly golf outings.
Elsa looks forward to traveling in the future. What brings her the most joy is spending time cultivating meaningful relationships with family and friends.
Patti T. joined Englund and DesRoches Dentistry in 1994 and brought with her determination and focus. This tiny but mighty lady daily keeps us on course.
Patti was born in Bay City, Michigan, grounding her in Mid-West values before moving to Monterey, California for high school, marriage, and the birth of her two children, Nikki and Steven. Her recent marriage to her wonderful husband Steve, an RV tech, interestingly came about as neighborhood “fence friends”.
Patti’s strength is in helping our team focus on annual goals, and her tenacity aids patients in receiving insurance benefits. Patti proves to be an excellent patient advocate, participating every year in seminars which enhance her knowledge of dental plans. Her computer expertise goes hand in hand with this, allowing us to efficiently submit claims electronically and access benefit information online.
Patients appreciate Patti’s commitment to maximizing insurance benefits to help make their smile dreams come true.
The multi-facets of Patti bring her full circle from the professional at work to the precise quilter, to her new found interest as a “Harley Mamma” and a devoted mother anxiously awaiting grandchildren. She is looking forward to riding off into the sunset with her husband.
Becky W. is our own “home grown” treatment coordinator. Becky came to Englund and DesRoches Dentistry as a darling little girl of 5 years old and told us every year that she wanted to work in this office. At about age twelve, she started rearranging family photos on our shelves and we realized she had organization skills we would find useful. After going to Rogers H.S. and getting her dental assisting certificate from Spokane Community College, Dr. Englund naturally hired her. Since 2000 we’ve come to rely on Becky’s high energy and assertive personality.
Becky was born and raised in Spokane. She is looking forward to moving to town and finding a cozy home for her and her son, Jackson. Being a mom, she is finding the kid still in her and enjoying every minute of parenting. He is the sparkle of her eye. Becky's passions are dancing, scrap booking and card making. She enjoys many outdoor activities from water to snow. She can find fun in any season.
Becky’s enthusiastic personality warms patients up to her instantly, and people feel they have gained a new friend in her operatory.
When Becky is not providing great chairside assistance, she manages the reordering of all of our dental supplies. This valuable skill keeps the office humming to a tune of…tap,tap,tap!
A constant smiley face and open arms have greeted patients at Englund and DesRoches Dentistry since 1984. Those arms belong to Dianna K., one of our treatment coordinators.
Dianna was born in Fairbanks, Alaska and lived there for 13 years before coming to Spokane. She has a strong German background which qualifies her as an expert in sauerkraut and apple strudel. She has a passion for music of all kinds. She has passed this onto her daughter, Samantha, who had the honor of singing the National Anthem at the Arena this spring. Her silver haired husband Kevin is a security facility specialist for Spokane schools. Dianna has been in dentistry since 1978, during which time she challenged and passed the dental assisting certification exam, and has taught and mentored dental assisting students.
As Dianna assists Dr. Englund, she enhances his commitment to excellent patient care. She works one on one with patients on expanded duties and delivers artful work with ease. Dianna’s personalized care has turned many a patient into a good friend.
When Dianna is not in the dental office, she keeps busy as a manicurist in her home shop called “Nails to Di For”.
In either field, Dianna’s loving personality endears her to everyone.
A frog is a darling little critter that jumps into action at every opportunity. Such is our treatment coordinator, Jenny H. The “newbie” on our staff, Jen displays a high energy that’s necessary in a busy office like Englund and DesRoches Dentistry.
Jenny was born in Pocatello, Idaho and lived there until moving to Spokane. She graduated from Apollo College in 1999, so she brings many years of dental background to benefit our patients. The two shining stars of her life are her daughters, Martika and Morgan. She and her new husband Gregenjoy boating and camping, and using their artistic talents to add special touches to their home.
Patients are greeted by Jenny’s vivacious personality, and she cares for them with efficiency and knowledge. Her enthusiasm and desire to get involved in all tasks inspires her co-workers. Jenny’s animated demeanor kicks us into gear and “jump starts” our day.
When you hear laughter throughout the hallways at Englund and DesRoches Dentistry, more than likely it is coming from operatory #8, where our hygienist Kristin G. is sharing a joke or a funny story with her patient. She “rocked our world” when she joined the practice in 1985, and we have been enjoying her laughter ever since.
Kristin was born in New Hampton, Iowa, and when we say Kristin really “gets around”, it is no joke. She was raised in the US Air Force, and has lived in 34 homes in her lifetime! Kristin attended high school and a dental assisting program in California, and received her AA in Dental Hygiene from Yakima Valley College in 1979. The majority of her life has been spent in Washington State, living in Spokane, Moses Lake, and Seattle.
Kristin is married to James, the only patient she has ever dated! Shay is their beautiful daughter, and is the joy of their life. Kristin enjoys spending time with her family, including her parents who also live in Spokane. Reading, cross stitch, quilting, and watching sports are some of Kristin’s passions.
One of Kristin’s goals for the future is to work toward getting a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies at EWU. She wants to continue working as long as possible because she considers so many of her patients as friends. She is looking forward to grandchildren, and hopes to travel the world over. We’re sure she will accomplish all of this as she plans to live to 100! The first recipient of the prestigious Englund and DesRoches Dentistry “Ruby Slipper Award”, Kristin is a true gem, who puts her heart and soul into everything she does, especially when she laughs!
A sweet and gentle spirit greets you at Englund and DesRoches Dentistry when you meet Lauri K. She has been caring for dental patients since 1972, and we’ve enjoyed her personality since she joined our practice in 1995.
Lauri was born in Pendleton, Oregon into a large Irish family. They moved to Spokane when she was 3 years old. She was educated at St. Aloysius and Holy Names Academy, and later gained her dental assisting certificate at Spokane Community College. Lauri has two of her very own leprechauns, daughters Meghan and Cortney, both of whom she’s very proud. They are lovely and motivated young ladies. Lauri has many diversified hobbies from reading, sewing and baking to golf and biking. She’s also an avid follower of sports … GO ZAGS!
If you’re lucky enough to have Lauri assist in your dental treatment, you’ll experience her precise attention to detail. When you are in her operatory, she makes you feel as comfortable as if you were in her cozy living room having a chat with a friend.
Since Lauri’s professional qualities are timeless and valued, we hope she’ll stay here until her retirement when she’ll play with grandchildren, garden, and bike into the sunset with an Irish wind at her back.
It’s interesting how life can bring you full circle. Teresa N. started at Englund and DesRoches Dentistry in 1985 as a hygiene assistant. After enjoying that position, she decided to go back to Eastern Washington University and graduated with a Bachelors degree in dental hygiene. With her quiet demeanor and commitment to excellence, Teresa provides exceptionalcare for her patients.
Teresa was born and raised in Spokane, and has strong family ties in the Northwest. She is married to her loving husband Jeff, who has a Masters degree in counseling, yet works in the family’s landscaping business. They have three beautiful children, Elijah, Josiah and Abigail. When Teresa isn’t chauffeuring to school, baseball or piano, she tries to squeeze in quilting, reading and a little golf. Teresa and Jeff have a strong connection to their Catholic faith and regularly volunteer in their parish. Their family finds joy in taking trips to Walt Disney World in Florida.
Teresa is focused 4 days a week on caring for the individual needs of her patients, educating them in better and consistent homecare, and also attends continued education seminars to enhance her professional skills.
A hummingbird’s wings beat at the rate of 50-80 rotations per second. April R. has been buzzing throughout dental offices for almost 25 years, and we have been blessed to have her energetic spirit here at Englund and DesRoches Dentistry since 1995.
April was born in Lansing, Michigan, but has lived the majority of her lifein California and Washington. In Seattle she met her sweet husband Dan, who is a firefighter with the City of Spokane Fire Department. Together, Dan and April have two adorable daughters.
April has a passion for horses and has passed those riding “genes” onto the girls. Together they spend endless hours grooming their horses and giving pony rides to all the neighborhood kids while Dan spends his time praying for their safety.
April’s desire in her financial coordinator role is to creatively help each and every patient afford the smile they desire. April’s sweet and gentle voice can move mountains to give patients the ability to afford excellent care for themselves and their families. So, whether April is developing a warm rapport with patients, or on the phone with a bank on behalf of a patient, her positive energy shines like a jewel.
April puts much of her energy into creating fun childhood memories for her girls to cherish forever. She looks forward to the surprises of life and maturing with her handsome prince.
