Hygiene Team
Tracey Halverson, Dental Hygienist
Tracey was born and raised in Vermillion and graduated from the USD Dental Hygiene Program with a bachelor's degree in Dental Hygiene, as well as a minor in biology.
Tracey has been with the practice since 1997 and has been a patient of the clinic since she was 7! What she likes most about her job is getting to know the patients during their appointments and helping them meet their dental needs. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Todd, and three daughters. Their family loves camping and attending many softball games and dance performances.
Jaida Gortmaker, Dental Hygienist
Jaida was born in Luverne, MN and moved to Vermillion shortly after her 4th birthday. She graduated from Vermillion High School in 2017 and graduated from the USD Dental Hygiene Program in 2021.
Jaida joined the practice in June of 2021. She is very excited to see all the smiling faces from the community that she has called home for so long. Jaida and her husband, Drew, live in Vermillion where they raise their daughter, Oakley, their second baby on the way, and four legged fur baby, Graycie. In her free time she loves going for runs, enjoying country concerts with her husband, and spending the weekend at the lake with family.
Carrie Hughes, Dental Hygienist
Carrie grew up in Newcastle, NE and graduated from Newcastle Public School in 1999. She attended the University of South Dakota and graduated from the Dental Hygiene Program in 2006.
Carrie joined the practice in October of 2021. She loves getting to know the patients and strives to make them feel comfortable and relaxed while providing great patient care. Carrie and her husband, Corey, live in Ponca, NE with their energetic beagle puppies, Mollie and Mabel. In her free time, Carrie enjoys visiting her daughter, Taylor, in Hawaii and going boating, fishing and reading.
Tylar Kopp, Dental Hygienist
Tylar grew up in Ponca, NE and graduated in 2012 from Ponca Public School. She attended the University of South Dakota and graduated from the Dental Hygiene Program in 2018.
Tylar joined the practice August of 2022. She is eager to get to know her patients and bring her years of experience to the Vermillion community. Tylar recently married her husband, Ben, and they stay busy with their acreage, animals and house building plans outside Ponca. In her free time, she enjoys riding horses, spending time with her 3 Dogs ( Diesel, Dooley, Denny), and traveling to new places.
Assistant Team
Amanda Grant, Lead Dental Assistant
Amanda grew up in Sioux City, IA and graduated from Western Iowa Tech Dental Assisting Program in 2014. After graduation she moved here and made Vermillion her home.
Amanda joined the practice in October of 2014 and enjoys building relationships with our patients and assisting the doctors in a scope of procedures. She values the connections with her coworkers who are like a second family. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family: Cody, Landon and Bennett. She loves to watch her sons in sports, being outdoors, repurposing, crafting, cooking and baking.
Mercedees Hoffman, Dental Assistant
Mercedees was born and raised in Vermillion and graduated from Vermillion High School in 2024. During her senior year she interned at the office and secured her passion for dentistry.
Merce joined the practice in May of 2024. She's most excited to work alongside her aunt and further her knowledge and skills in the dental field. In her free time she enjoys swimming, spending time with her friends and family and drinking Diet Coke.
Shelby McDonald, Dental Assistant
Bio Coming Soon!
Brody Boltjes, Dental Assistant
Brody grew up in Platte, SD and graduated from Platte-Geddes High School in 2021. He's currently attending USD studying Health Sciences and Chemistry. He's passionate about his community and is involved in both the SERVE and CWC Clubs.
Brody joined the practice in June of 2024 and is soaking up all the experiences as he plans to start Dental School next fall. In his free time he enjoys staying active, the company of his friends and family and being the favorite uncle to his little nephew.
Photo Coming Soon!
Front Desk Team
Ashley Hofer, Dental Assistant/Office Manager
Ashley spent the younger half of her childhood in Texas and moved to Yankton, South Dakota when she was 11. She graduated from Gayville-Volin High School in 2012 and Lake Area Technical College's Dental Assisting program in 2014. Ashley married and settled down with her husband, Andrew, in Yankton. They welcomed their daughter, Eleanor, in March of 2020.
She joined the practice in April 2018 and loves the chance to get to know everyone. In her free time she enjoys collecting plants, reading, traveling with her family, and finding their next big adventure.
Kelsey Watkins, Patient Coordinator
Kelsey grew up in Akron, IA and graduated from Akron Westfield Community School District in 2012. Kelsey and her husband have 2 children and have recently bought a house together. She has worked in the medical field for many years and is excited to shift to the dental field.
She joined our practice in November 2023 and looks forward to meeting all the patients and providing exceptional service. In her free time Kelsey enjoys watching her daughter play sports, riding motorcycle with her husband and spending time with her family.
Krista Craig, Patient Coordinator
Krista has called Vermillion home for nearly 25 years. She currently lives just over the Missouri River in Newcastle, NE with her husband Tommy and their kiddos River, Ella, and Calum. Krista loves Vermillion and her previous work in the community has helped her build many deep bonds. She looks forward to continuing that service to the community in her role at the practice.
Krista joined the practice in May of 2024. Her family loves camping, kayaking, traveling and spending time on the water. She treasures her daily drive over the bridge. In their free time they often explore the surrounding state parks and rec areas. They also enjoy live music any chance they get.
Photo coming soon!!
Jessica Heiman, Patient Coordinator
Jess grew up in Dunlap, Iowa and graduated from Boyer Valley Community School in 2019. She has worked in the medical field as a CNA for nearly 5 years and is excited for the transition into dental. She has always been interested in the dental field and is excited to learn more!
Jess joined the practice in June of 2024. She’s looking forward to getting to know the patients and forming connections with her coworkers! In her free time she enjoys reading, going on walks/hikes, spending time with her friends and her 2 orange tabby cats.
