Tracey Halverson, Dental Hygienist
Tracey has worked for Knutson Family Dentistry since 1997 and has been a patient of the clinic since she was 7. She graduated from the University of South Dakota dental hygiene program in 1997 with a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene, as well as a minor in biology.
What she likes most about her job is getting to know the patients at their appointments and helping them meet their dental needs. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband Todd and three daughters, camping and attending many softball games and dance performances.
Jaida Gortmaker, Dental Hygienist
Jaida was born in Luverne, MN but moved to Vermillion, SD shortly after her 4th birthday and has grown up here ever since. In 2017, Jaida graduated from VHS and attended USD where she then graduated in May of 2021 from the Dental Hygiene program.
Jaida and her husband, Drew, own a home 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. She is very excited to see all the smiling faces from the community that she has called home for so long.
Carrie Hughes, Dental Hygienist
Carrie grew up in Newcastle, NE and graduated in 1999 from Newcastle Public School. 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, her husband Corey, and her daughter Taylor, currently live in Ponca, NE with their energetic beagle puppies, Mollie and Mabel. In her free time, Carrie enjoys boating, fishing, reading and spending time with her family and puppies.
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. She then worked in Yankton for four years.
Tylar joined the practice August of 2022. Tylar is eager to get to know the patients here. Tylar recently got married to her husband, Ben, and they plan to build their dream home in Nebraska. In her free time, she enjoys riding horses, spending time with her 3 Dogs ( Diesel, Dooley, Denny), and traveling to new places.
Ashley Hofer, Dental Assistant/Office Manager
Ashley spent the younger half of her childhood in Austin, Texas and then moved to Yankton, South Dakota when she was 11. She graduated from Gayville-Volin School in 2012. In 2015, Ashley and her husband, Andrew, got married and bought their first home together. In March of 2020 they welcomed their first daughter into the world.
She joined the practice in April 2018 and loves the chance to get to know everyone. In her free time, she enjoys watching her favorite football team, traveling with her family, and finding their next big adventure.
Amanda Grant, Lead Dental Assistant
Amanda is originally from Sioux City, IA and graduated from Western Iowa Tech Dental Assisting Program in 2014. After graduation she moved to Vermillion, SD with her kids.
She joined the practice in October 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 and that makes coming to work a pleasure for her. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her sons. She loves to watch her son participating in sports, being outdoors, repurposing, crafting, cooking and baking.
Ashley Hooper, Patient Coordinator
Ashley has lived in different parts of the country over the years. Originally from New Hampshire, Ashley lived in Arizona for many years before relocating to Nebraska in the summer of 2023 with her son. After starting anew in Nebraska, she has been enjoying getting to know her new home state. Ashley is an avid fan of true crime and enjoys listening to true crime/supernatural podcasts.
She joined the practice in November 2023, and is enjoying getting to know all the patients, and her wonderful co-workers.
Kelsey Watkins, Patient Coordinator
Bio coming soon!
