Meet the Team | Albuquerque Dentists - New Mexico Family Dentistry

Leilani

Hygiene Coordinator

Bio Coming Soon

Debbie

Dental Hygienist

Bio Coming Soon

Cecilia

Business Administrator

Bio Coming Soon

Katherine

Business Administrator

Katherine, with 25 of dental experience, brings over two decades of administrative expertise to Academy Dental Care. With a lifelong passion for helping patients, she ensures every visit is smooth, welcoming, and efficient. Katherine loves building long-term relationships and guiding patients toward confident, informed dental decisions that enhance both their smiles and overall wellness. She values working in an environment built on teamwork, trust, and continuous learning, and she’s proud to be part of a team that treats one another—and every patient—like family. Outside the office, Katherine enjoys painting and spending quality time with her husband, children, and grandchildren.

Mattea

Hygiene Coordinator

Mattea plays a vital role in assisting hygienists with patient charting, treatment planning, room setups, and instrument sterilization. Her journey into the dental field began in 2023 while taking college classes at San Juan College in Farmington, NM, where she discovered her passion for oral health. Mattea thrives on helping patients overcome dental anxiety, seeing the transformation in their confidence as they achieve healthy smiles. She is especially passionate about advancing sciences in dentistry and enjoys educating patients about the importance of oral health and its impact on overall well-being.

Outside of work, Mattea cherishes spending time with her cat, Milly, and loves relaxing with romance comedies, thrillers, and dystopian films. An avid runner, she also enjoys going on scenic walks and playing the ukulele, often learning new songs in her downtime. Originally from Farmington, NM, she is the oldest of five children and loves making trips home to visit family. Mattea’s warm personality, combined with her dedication to both personal and professional growth, makes her an integral part of the team at Academy Dental Care—where everyone is treated like family. She also happens to be left-handed.

Beverly

Dental Assistant

Beverly is a dedicated dental assistant with a passion for making patients feel relaxed and comfortable during their visits. Since starting her dental career in 1994, Beverly has built strong connections with her patients, helping them trust the care they receive. She finds joy in seeing the positive impact a smile can have on someone’s life, and it’s her mission to ensure that every patient leaves feeling confident and happy with their dental experience.

Outside of the office, Beverly enjoys spending time with her grandson, remodeling homes, and working in her yard. She even knows how to ride a motorcycle, adding a fun twist to her diverse interests!

Erika

Dental Assistant

Erika has been working in the dental field since 2012, starting as a receptionist before transitioning to a dental assistant role. She found a passion for helping patients, particularly in seeing the joy and confidence that a healthy and beautiful smile can bring. Erika enjoys assisting the doctors with dental procedures, focusing on patient care and cosmetic dentistry. Her favorite part of her job is witnessing the transformation and happiness of patients after their treatments.

Erika is proud to work with a dedicated and compassionate team at Academy Dental Care, where the doctors take the time to truly listen and connect with their patients. Outside of work, Erika enjoys spending time with her two children, Hayden and Benjamyn, and their family dog, Georgia. Whether it’s camping, fishing, hiking, or visiting farmers markets, family time is a cherished part of her life.

Victoria

Hygiene Coordinator

Victoria’s career in dentistry began unexpectedly when she discovered an opportunity as a dental hygiene assistant. While studying at UNM and seeking a more fulfilling path, she jumped at the chance to enter the dental field. Since then, she has thrived in the role, finding joy in helping patients and developing new skills daily, all with the support of her dedicated team. The dynamic nature of her work, along with the chance to make meaningful contributions to patients’ well-being, keeps her passionate and motivated.

Her love for dentistry stems from the opportunity to directly impact public health and educate patients about oral care. She enjoys the hands-on aspect of the field and takes pride in helping individuals maintain their long-term health. The positive, collaborative environment at her practice, combined with a focus on patient-centered care, has made her journey even more rewarding.

Outside of work, Victoria finds balance through a variety of leisure activities. She has a passion for baking rustic pastries, enjoys staying active through tennis and swimming, and loves exploring nature. Her interests in reading, painting, and learning about different cultures help her maintain a well-rounded, fulfilling lifestyle that complements her career in dentistry.

Diondria

Dental Assistant

Diondria became interested in dentistry because as a child she lacked confidence in her smile. As Diondria’s smile was corrected, she began to notice the positive impact it was having on her life and wanted to be a part of helping through similar experiences. She enjoys being able to interact with patients and sees the difference it can make in someone’s life from their oral hygiene to their confidence. Diondria loves working with her team as they truly care for their patients and go the extra mile to make sure they have the best experience possible.

Outside of dentistry, Diondria and her husband have been blessed with three wonderful children who keep them actively engaged in their sports activities. She would love to go skydiving one day but, in the meantime, likes camping, running, listening to music, dancing, and has come to love hiking.

Jacquelyn

Business Administrator

Jacquelyn has always been very dentally aware ever since she had major treatment as a child. She enjoys interacting with patients and helping them feel confident in their treatment plan. Jacquelyn wants to help patients achieve long term, good dental health, along with helping them understand insurance and their payment options. Jacquelyn enjoys working with the Academy Dental Team because everyone is so helpful and confident in their care for the patient’s treatment.

Outside of work, Jacquelyn enjoys serving at church, hunting, camping, cookouts with family and friends, playing board/card games, watching her children play sports, and gardening. Jacquelyn and her daughter also have a crocheting business (more so during fall/winter) making head bands, ear warmers, hats, scarfs, and chunky blankets.

Markie

Dental Assistant

Markie has been working in the dental field since 2012. She prides herself on providing the highest quality care in a timely manner and working to make patients’ dental experience as comfortable as possible. Helping people is part of why she’s passionate about dentistry—turning painful, compromised teeth into beautiful healthy ones.

She greatly enjoys working with the rest of the team where everyone is strong in their own way, and she is thankful to be surrounded by a team that is always helpful and supportive.

Outside of work, Markie loves playing baseball with her son, Ace. She also enjoys spending time with her loved ones at family barbeques and collecting fun Starbucks cups.

Rebecca

Business Administrator

After finding her passion for dentistry through dental education for children, Rebecca furthered her dental journey by starting her dental career working in a dental office that she loved. She enjoys helping patients meet their dental needs, and wants to ensure every patient feels confident enough to smile again. Her team feels like a true family, and she values that they strive to provide the best dental care for every patient and are always willing to help one another.

Stephanie

Dental Hygienist

Stephanie got her start in dental care in 1995 after she was inspired by watching her sister-in-law attend the University of New Mexico’s Dental Hygiene program, igniting her passion for dentistry. Since then, she has earned her graduate degree and has lived and worked abroad for some time, however, she eventually returned home to New Mexico. As a dental hygienist, Stephanie values contributing to others’ health, wellbeing, and success through dental care, as she focuses on putting her patients first.

Her favorite things about her team are their contagious positivity and willingness to provide patients with the best care possible, and their continuous growth together in search of improving their techniques to better serve patients. In her leisure time, she loves to spend quality time with her friends and family, her husband of 24 years, and their fur baby, Einstein—and she enjoys her hobbies of gardening, hiking, cooking, and golfing.

Jessica

Business Administrator

Originally from California, Jessica started her dental career in 2016 working as an assistant at a dental practice, sparking her love of dentistry. She’s passionate about dentistry’s ability to transform a person’s life through improved dental health, helping them gain more confidence. She thrives among her team members and goes out of her way to assist them in any way she can while providing the best possible care for every patient that steps through the door.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, her boyfriend, Christopher, and her daughter, Nyla. She also loves reading, writing, working out, and powerlifting.

Liz

Dental Hygienist

Liz has been a dental hygienist since 2006 and enjoys building relationships with patients. She takes pride in treating each patient for their individual needs with gentle, quality care.

Liz is a New Mexico native and earned a Bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from the University of New Mexico in 2006. She also holds a license in Expanded Functions Dental Auxiliary in the art of restorative dentistry. Liz strives to provide a comfortable and positive experience at every hygiene maintenance and restorative appointment and she is passionate about patient education. Liz believes it is essential for all patients to understand that oral hygiene affects oral health, so she teams up with patients to help create healthy habits to keep smiles that will last a lifetime.

In her personal life, Liz loves spending quality time with her husband, their two children and their dog Rocco. She enjoys being outdoors, traveling, running and playing USTA tennis.

Angelica

Business Administrator

As a business administrator, Angelica partners with our dentists to create a positive experience. Some of her duties consist of taking x-rays, creating treatment plans, and maintaining clean rooms and equipment—so you can count on her for a safe, enjoyable experience!

She considers her coworkers to be her family outside of home, crediting them for being patient, kind, and truly amazing to work with.

Outside of work, Angelica is a country girl at heart and enjoys camping and cookouts with her parents, two brothers, and dog, Mila. Additionally, she enjoys attending church, participating in bible studies, and bingeing a good movie or reality TV show.

Julie

Business Administrator

Julie is an Albuquerque native and an alum of the University of New Mexico. For over 31 years, Julie has been taking care of dental patients, and now continues to do so at Academy Dental Care. She personally greets our patients and thoroughly enjoys the relationships she’s established over her many years in the industry. With strong skills in clinical education and practice management, Julie’s goal is to provide comprehensive care, meet the needs of patients, and effectively assist her team.

Julie lives a beautiful life alongside her husband and is a mother to two children, who are now adults. What’s something you may not know about Julie? Though originally studying pre-dental hygiene at UNM, she changed majors, but eventually ended up working in the dental field after all.

Tiffany

Business Administrator

Tiffany started her career in the dental field in 2015, and is now the business administrator at Academy Dental Care. She’s passionate about helping patients get the best dental care, and always greets patients with a big smile of her own.

She loves working with a team that’s always ready to step up and help where needed, and admires that all the doctors care deeply about their patients and staff.

Tiffany has been married to her husband for 20 years, and they have three amazing children — Taylor, Andrew, and Tanner. They also have two Siberian huskies, Ruby and Kita. She loves the outdoors where you’ll find her hiking, kayaking, and exploring. Her and her family even enjoy taking night rides in their UTV, with the wind blowing through their hair and stars shining bright. Something you may not know about Tiffany? She loves cooking and trying new things to expand her culinary skills!

Kelli

Dental Assistant

Kelli is a dental assistant with over 21 years of experience in the dental field. At ADC, she spends her days anticipating the needs of both the patients and doctors, and being a reliable team member who is willing to help wherever needed.

Her favorite part of the job is having the opportunity to give patients the confidence to smile again. Kelli appreciates that the doctors at ADC provide the best care and treatment imaginable, and that her team is always willing to help when needed. She is proud to have a great workplace relationship with everyone.

Kelli and her husband Gabe have three dogs and one cat. Her leisure activities include hanging out with friends, camping, hiking, and art. Something you may not know about her is that she loves to drive on the Autobahn, sometimes even on a motorcycle!

Marie

Dental Assistant

Marie is the treatment coordinator at Academy Dental Care and has been working in the dental industry since 2003. She specializes in TMJ, bite repositioning, and full mouth reconstruction to help our patients smile with confidence. She enjoys having the chance to help alleviate people’s dental pains and seeing them light up. She admires the doctors at ADC because they are passionate about dentistry.

Marie’s family includes her husband, two children, two dogs, a cat, goats, and some chickens. Her interests include herbalism, applied kinesiology, Reiki, camping, hiking, and family bike rides. Something many people might not know is that she is a certified professional herbalist, applied kinesiologist, EFT Master Practitioner, and Reiki Master!

Karla

Dental Assistant

As a dental assistant, Karla performs many duties—from setting up operations and monitoring schedules to educating patients and assisting the doctor—but the main and most important duty of Karla is to listen to patients and offer them comfort.

With 5 years in the dental field, Karla has developed a passion for making patients feel comfortable with the care they’re receiving, as she herself struggles with dental anxiety. To help patients combat this, she explains what exactly is being done and always displays compassionate care. She believes ADC provides the absolute best dental care and admires her team for their encouragement and constant support.

Outside of work, Karla enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and two Pomeranians, and is an avid traveler. Fun fact: she has a bucket list she plans to complete before she gets married.

Monica P.

Dental Hygienist

Monica is a dental hygienist at Academy Dental Care and has been helping patients since she graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2008. Her duties include caring for patients and teaching them about how better oral health can lead to better overall health. She loves connecting with her patients and learning about their lives.

At ADC, she enjoys the positivity her coworkers bring to work everyday and appreciates that the doctors truly care about their patients. She admires that they’re detail oriented, and loves working with a team that starts and ends each day with a smile!

Monica has been married to her husband for eleven years, and together they have two boys. She loves running, hiking, dancing, playing sand volleyball, and hanging out with friends and family. Did you know? – She also used to teach salsa dancing!

Monica B.

Dental Hygienist

Monica is a dental hygienist at Academy Dental Care and has over 20 years of experience in the dental industry. Her duties include examining patients, providing preventive care, and educating patients on oral health, oral hygiene, and overall wellness. Her favorite aspect of the job is connecting with patients and helping them achieve their oral health goals. She loves getting to know her patients by learning about them and considers her patients to be just like family—they laugh and sometimes even cry together!

She feels very fortunate to work with the doctors at ADC because they are at the top of their field and always inspire her to be her best. She believes her team is dedicated, dependable, smart, and talented, and knows they will make you feel welcome and go the extra mile to help.

Monica and her husband have two daughters. She enjoys camping, boating, and exploring new places in New Mexico. Her favorite thing to do is cheering her children on when they play volleyball, basketball, and softball. Something you might not know about her is she used to dance Ballet Folklorico and performed in nursing homes, hospitals, and elementary schools.

Debbie

Dental Hygienist

Debbie is a part of our dental hygienist team, focusing on prophylaxis, x-rays, and anesthesia. Beginning her dental career in 1987 as a dental assistant, Debbie has always enjoyed getting to know different people and appreciates the uniqueness of each individual. She enjoys working with a team that she considers friends and admires the ADC doctors for their extreme professionalism and expertise, but more importantly, the way they treat patients like family.

Debbie is married with twins, a son and a daughter, who will soon be heading off to college. When she’s not helping patients achieve their best smile, Debbie lives an active lifestyle, and enjoys walking, running, and swimming. Want to know a fun fact about her? She’s originally from Toronto, Canada, and came to The Land of Enchantment to run track!

Emily

Business Administrator

Emily is a business administrator here at Academy Dental Care and has been in the dental field since 2016. She helps maintain daily operations, which includes verifying insurance, creating treatment plans, answering phones, and greeting patients.

Emily’s favorite part of her job is getting to know the patients and making them feel comfortable by answering any questions they may have. She says that joining the ADC team has been one of the best decisions she’s made, all because of the incredible team! The doctors are knowledgeable and willing to help her succeed, and her team is always cheerful and ready to help her be the best she can be.

Emily’s family includes her boyfriend, Isaac, and her pug Lola. In her free time she enjoys DIY projects, going to the gym, and outdoor activities. She loves making new memories and traveling with her boyfriend, and prioritizes spending quality time with her family.

Coming Soon

This biography is coming soon.

Tish

Dental Assistant

I have been a dental assistant since 2013. I love dentistry because I am able to help a patient in more ways than just their oral health. Academy Dental Care as been a dream office to work! My team members are so sincere with patient care as well as our personal lives. When coming into work I know that we are providing the best care for our patients.

I have been married close to 10 years to my high school sweetheart, Brian and we have 2 beautiful daughters name Zara Jolie and Alaia Rae. My husband Brian has been in the Army National Guard for 8 years and we are currently going through our first deployment. We enjoy sports, working at our used car dealership back in our home town, and enjoy going out to eat together. Fun fact I like to compete with Dr. Gonzales on our peloton.

Savannah

Hygiene Coordinator

I’ve been in the dental field since 2017. I assist the team with their needs and also deliver a great patient experience. My favorite part of the job is the people I work with they also put the patents first and care about one another. The reason why I love working here is because they know when you have the best qualities for giving the patient a great experience. I have finally found my dream office.

On my days off I spend time with my family and my dog Sheba. I love to watch movies and I love to travel.

Jackie

Dental Assistant

I was born and raised in India, and I began my dental journey in 1992. I worked in a small clinic in Grants, NM for 26 years as a dental assistant. In August 2020 I moved to Albuquerque with my family and joined the Academy Dental Care team. As a dental assistant I prep the patients for the Doctors and assist during procedures. I have really enjoyed working in the dental field over the years, but my favorite part is making every patients’ dental experience as comfortable as possible. I enjoy working with the doctors at ADC because they are caring and give their patients the best treatment. I love working with my co-workers because they are very teamwork oriented, they are caring, and very friendly.

My husband Sunil (Sunny) and I have been married for 27 years, and we have a son, Suchin, and a daughter, Karishma. When I am not making pretty smiles, I love to shop, hang out with my daughter, and watch movies/travel with my family. Fun fact: I am fluent in 3 languages (Guajarati, Hindi, and English).

Bethany

Dental Hygienist

I began my journey in dentistry in 2006; starting as a dental assistant, I eventually transitioned to a registered dental hygienist in 2013. I’m responsible for peno therapy, cleanings, assessments, and providing hygiene instructions. My favorite part of my job is educating patients on periodontal disease, its treatments, and removing tartar buildup from their teeth! The entire team at ADC thoroughly enjoys dentistry and the work they do! The doctors create a positive environment where they encourage me to learn more and advance my practice. My team is comprised of hard workers who are always willing to help me or patients, and consistently do so with a smile on their face! Each one of them truly loves being able to help patients achieve a brighter, beautiful smile!

Outside of work I enjoy traveling and spending time with my boyfriend, his four children, and our two dogs. A fun fact about me would be that I was on the Tyra Banks show in 2005!

Ashlee

Business Administrator

I started working in the dental industry in 2014. My favorite part of the job is being able to work with an amazing group of people, and helping patients improve their well-being. I assist my teammates in any way I can, and have experience in both assisting and working at the front desk. I love working with Dr. Gonzales, Dr. Gallagher, and Dr. Krohnfeldt because they are doctors with integrity who truly care about their patients and are genuinely great at what they do. I love working with my team because they care about their patients and one another both in and outside of the office. We always work together to make sure our patients are well taken care of.

Outside of the office, I enjoy spending time with my wonderful boyfriend, Toben, and our son Lennox. I like to stay active by playing volleyball, slow-pitch softball, and spending time outdoors. I was born in San Diego, California and I absolutely love learning about the ocean and all it’s creatures.

Gabe

Office Manager

I have over 24 years experience in leading teams across the US. I joined the Academy Dental Care team in 2014. My passion is to lead a professional, compassionate team that takes care of our patients and their needs. I am responsible for creating a comfortable family environment that is calming for our patients. I know how important our patients’ time is, so we focus on being prompt and on time. It makes me proud when patients tell us that they feel like we are family. Our team never ceases to amaze me with their attention to detail and the care they deliver to our community. We take the time to collaborate new ways to create a great work environment so that we can deliver the best experience for our patients. I consider myself very lucky to work with the team at Academy Dental Care. I can truly say I enjoy going into work knowing we have superstars taking care of our patients.

My career in leadership started from my interest in business management at the University of New Mexico. I graduated from the Anderson School of management and found my calling in several different industries before my career in dentistry. I lead several teams in the hospitality industry for 11 years which allowed me to learn the art of customer service. Each customer that walks through the door has different wants and needs, and I was able to build teams in the pursuit of the best customer service. I then had the opportunity to move into the financial services industry. I have led 3 regional teams in my 8 years across the United States. My teams were tasked with creating a trusted, educational experience to help guide customers to their financial goals. All the tools I have learned over the years has helped me partner with our dental team to create a unique experience for our patients.

Angelica

Dental Hygiene Assistant

I do whatever it takes to help our hygienists provide the best, most efficient, and comfortable care to our patients. Since joining the team in 2016, I’ve really felt like part of the family here. Drs. Gonzales and Gallagher have been so welcoming since day one, and each one of my co-workers have been so helpful. We all genuinely get along, and I think our patients can tell that we truly enjoy each other’s company!

My family consists of my parents, two brothers, and a slew of nieces and nephews who I absolutely adore! When I’m not spending time with them, I enjoy shopping and camping.

Nicole

Dental Assistant

I assist both Dr. Gonzales and Dr. Gallagher with our patients’ treatment. I love taking time with our patients so I can make them feel as comfortable as possible for their visits. My goal is to give them the best patient experience! Our doctors and staff genuinely care about our patients and listen to their desires. We are all so passionate about dentistry and enjoy learning new things about current trends and technology. Everything we do is for the benefit of our patients!

I have three children: Emma lives in Phoenix, AZ, Averi lives in Yakima, WA, and Spencer who lives in Rio Rancho with me. I enjoy doing anything outdoors: walking, gardening, and watching my son play sports. I also like to travel to visit my family and friends all over the country!

Jeniffer

Dental Assistant

I joined Dr. Gonzales’ team in 2015, bringing with me more than 13 years of experience in dentistry. I assist with many of our patients’ dental procedures, which means that I get to help change people’s lives by making them love their teeth each and every day! I love getting to know my patients on a personal level and being able to build trust with them. Ours is an office truly dedicated to our patients and their health. I’m really happy to be a part of this team!

At home, I have three children, Jordan, Jaydan, and Julius. I also have two dogs, Spotty and Godie. I like to camp, ride bikes, and garden when I’m not running crazy with the boys. I also love to work out and am pretty strong!

Debbie

Dental Hygienist

I serve as a dental hygienist and a teacher/trainer for dental assistants in the office, putting my 30 years of experience to great use! I enjoy helping others and I love the feeling of making a difference in patients’ lives. I have worked for many dentists, and Dr. Gonzales and Dr. Gallagher do the best dentistry in Albuquerque.

I have a husband and son and an almost-daughter-in-law (they are getting married in May 2016). I also have four beautiful grandchildren. I enjoy the outdoors, gardening, and listening to spiritual music.

Carrie

Dental Hygienist

Born and raised in Gallup, I moved to Albuquerque to attend the UNM Dental Hygiene program. I have been a hygienist for over 30 years, but during that time I took a little detour and became a paramedic/firefighter for AFR for about 6 years. I am also part of an organization that provides oral care for homebound patients.

As a dental hygienist, the best part of my job is my patients! I truly care about my patients and often become friends with them. I love meeting new people, learning about their families, and watching them grow! I feel very blessed to have found such a wonderful place to work with the most amazing, knowledgeable, and ethical doctors.

I have a beautiful son and two fur babies. In my spare time I love working out and spending time with my son.

Berta

Dental Hygienist

My favorite part of my job is making a difference in people’s lives. I accomplish that by providing very gentle cleanings, examining for signs of gum disease, and educating them on oral hygiene. I really enjoy educating my patients on how to take care of their teeth so their smiles last a lifetime!

Away from work I like to walk and do yoga. My husband and I have three kids, four grandkids, and one dog. We got married in Las Vegas and I lost him for eight hours that day!

Faith

Business Administrator

I have worked in dentistry since 2007, assisting patients by getting them into the office for their dental care needs and helping them understand their treatment and insurance benefits. When I joined Academy Dental Care, I could see right away that this is a team that provides exceptional care to patients and supports one another with smiles on their faces. Our doctors and staff truly care about everyone who comes into the office—patients and team members alike. It is rewarding to see patients leave with a smile on their face because they know they are in great hands.

I was born and raised in Minnesota and love the weather here in New Mexico! My husband Nathan and I have two sons, Desmond and Grayson, as well as a dog named Penny Lane. My free time consists of playing with my kids, reading, knitting, and photography.

Rachelle

Practice Administrator

I began my career in dentistry in 1998 and have worked in both the front office and clinical areas of a dental office. This experience has allowed me to be knowledgeable and understanding with my patients. My 25 years of experience with dental insurance comes in handy, too—I try to give our patients as much information as possible for them to make an informed decision about their dental health. I enjoy working one on one with patients to make them feel as comfortable as possible and trusting that we will provide the highest quality of care to them.

I have two children, Aubrianna and Issac Jr., and two playful pups named Zoey and Cooper. My free time is spent doing projects around the house, gardening, outdoor activities, reading, and of course, spending time with my family.

Our Team

Business Administrators

Gabe

Rachelle

Faith

Julie

Jessica

Rebecca

Rebecca

Katherine

Cecilia

Hygienists

Berta

Carrie

Bethany

Debbie

Monica

Liz

Debbie

Assistants

Jeniffer

Jackie

Diondria

Karla

Savannah

Erika

Beverly

Breana

Leilani

Markie