Meet the Pediatric Dental Team – Cumming, GA

Lisa

Assistant Office Manager/Insurance Coordinator

Lisa’s career in dentistry covers almost an entire decade at this point. She earned her education at the University of Georgia and was actually the one of the very first team members here – her nickname around the office is “Princess!” When parents need help with filing dental insurance claims, she does an excellent job at helping them navigate their benefits and minimize any out-of-pocket costs. She goes above and beyond to build relationships with our special patients and their families! Seeing growing smiles transform for the better is an amazing experience every time.

A Gastonia, NC native, Lisa and her husband have two college-aged children who currently attend at the University of Georgia. They also have a Golden Retriever mix who was adopted from the Forsyth County Humane Society. Outside of the practice, her top priorities are spending treasured time with loved ones, exercising, shopping, traveling, and reading.

Mary

Front Office/Financial Coordinator

An Atlanta native, Mary completed her education at the University of Georgia. Today, what she enjoys most about her role is seeing how Dr. Podray and the other dentists create such beautiful results for our young patients in need! She’s even undergoing orthodontic treatment herself with Dr. Podray’s help.

Mary and her husband Rusty have been married for over 33 years so far, and they have two grown children who also live in Atlanta. Outside of the practice, you can usually find her traveling (especially to the nearest beach), boating, and cheering on the Dawgs.

Julie

Front Office Coordinator

Julie has been working in dentistry for over two full decades. She is originally from North Dakota and studied at the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks. However, she moved to Georgia in 1991 and has called this state her home ever since! Today, what she enjoys most about her position at the practice is getting to know the patients and their families so well over time.

While Julie regularly visits her family in North Dakota, she goes above and beyond to avoid the winter months. Today, she lives in the Cumming area and has one daughter who currently attends college. When she isn’t busy at work, her top hobby is spending quality time by the lake or the beach.

Kiesha

Front Office Coordinator

Kiesha originally hails from Tarpon Springs, FL, and she’s attended both Saint Petersburg Junior College and the University of Phoenix. Today, she loves working for such an amazing team that genuinely cares about the patients so deeply! She is passionate about putting her whole heart into every aspect of her job, which includes creating outstanding care experiences for children in need.

Kiesha lives in Cleveland with her spouse Chip, their two children Xavier and Cierra, and their three spoiled fur babies. When she isn’t busy helping families, you can often find her hanging out with her loved ones, traveling, working in the yard, and cooking delicious meals.

Kari

Clinical Assistant

After studying at the University of North Georgia, Kari completed her dental education at the Dental Assisting School of Atlanta. Today, she has in-depth training in orthodontics and has an Expanded Duties Assistant. She loves seeing the transformations our young patients go through when they get braces! When the brackets and wires finally come off and they can’t stop smiling, it even brings happy tears to her eyes.

Kari’s family consists of her three amazing sisters, wonderful parents, and two English Bulldogs named Luna and Diezel. Outside of working hours, she loves playing with her pugs, blasting Garth Brooks in her car with the windows down, and spending quality time with friends and loved ones. Even though she’s very sweet, don’t let that fool you – she’s also got a black belt in karate!

Betty

Clinical Assistant

Betty hails from Gainesville originally, and she has her Orthodontic Expanded Duties Certificate. Today, she’s been working in the dental field for over 15 years! Her favorite part of this job is getting to help create such beautiful smiles for children in need.

Betty and her husband have three wonderful children at home, as well as a dog named Suki. When she isn’t busy at the office, her top priorities are spending quality time with loved ones and cheering on the Atlanta United soccer team and the Atlanta Falcons. She’s also bilingual and always passionate about learning even more languages!

Melissa

Clinical Manager

Melissa’s career in the dental field spans over a full decade now. She attended Gainesville State College for her education and is a certified orthodontic assistant, as well as certified in OSHA. Today, what she enjoys most about her job is getting to see each child in the treatment chair become more confident as their healthier, straighter smile blooms!

Originally from Flowery Branch, GA, Melissa and her husband Nehemiah have a daughter named Ava. They’re also planning on welcoming a son, August, this year! The last member of their family is a dog named Boss. When she isn’t busy at work, she enjoys traveling and spending time with loved ones. She also picked up cross-stitching from her mother as a little girl and still finds it relaxing today.

Tracy

Office Manager

Tracy studied at Lanier Technical College and State University. Today, she has been working in dentistry for over 15 years! She is a member of the American Association of Dental Office Management, an Expanded Duties Certified Assistant, and BLS/CPR certified. As part of the Village Pediatric Dentistry team, she loves getting to help our growing patients undergo amazing smile transformations. She also feels very proud to work alongside such an amazing team – especially Dr. Podray, who is such a positive influence every day.

Tracy’s family consists of her husband Carey and their five children named Trenton, Baleigh, Blake, Carrington, and Piper. When she isn’t busy caring for smiles, most of her free time is spent supporting the kids at their different extracurricular events. As for personal hobbies, she enjoys riding the family Harley, watching college football (Geaux Tigers!), boating, and being outdoors anywhere with waves and sand. She’s also always up for spending a good day at the casino.