Meet the Team at Finger Lakes Dental at Canandaigua

Megan Conley

Office Manager

Megan has been with Finger Lakes Dental Care since 2016. She has a Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Cortland in Health Science and received her Master’s Degree in Acupuncture from the New York Chiropractic College. Megan oversees the day-to-day operations at the front desk. Outside of work, Megan enjoys cooking, music, hiking, and spending time with her fiancé, Adam and doggie, Evie.

Selena Vershay

Registered Dental Hygienist Lead

Selena joined our hygiene team in January 2020. She graduated from Monroe Community College in 2016 as the youngest dental hygienist in New York State for that graduating class. She received her license to administer local and nitrous oxide anesthesia in fall 2016. Her gentle personality will automatically make you feel at ease during your dental cleaning! Outside of work, you will most likely find Selena reading, doing yoga or spending time with her two golden retrievers.

Laurie Rowe

Registered Dental Hygienist

Laurie came to our office in 2014 after working in the dental hygiene field since 2009. She obtained two degrees from Monroe Community College; an associate’s degree in Liberal Arts and an advanced associate’s degree in Dental Hygiene. She was then certified in anesthesia and nitrous oxide administration. She was also awarded the Johnson & Johnson Excellence in Healthcare Award. Outside of the office, Laurie enjoys spending time gardening, crocheting, reading, and spending time with her husband and two daughters.

Kara Badger

Registered Dental Hygienist

Kara started with Finger Lakes Dental Care as a Registered Dental Hygienist in 2017. Kara has been a dental hygienist since 1991. She and her husband, Tim, are both from Canandaigua. They have two sons, Merrick and Sully. Kara loves helping patients achieve their dental health goals. When not in the office she enjoys gardening, cooking and traveling in her vintage camper.

Jamie Collins

Registered Dental Hygienist

Jamie joined the Finger Lakes family in 2021. Jamie has been working in the dental field since 2009, returning to college to earn her advanced associate's degree in Dental Hygiene, graduating in 2019. She lives in Canandaigua with her husband and two girls, Katrina and Lily. Jamie loves helping patients achieve their personal hygiene best.

Her passions include reading her Bible, pretending to be a home chef, as well as traveling with her little family. Bible, pretending to be a home chef, as well as traveling with her little family.

Heather Dixon

Registered Dental Hygienist

Heather joined Finger Lakes Dental Care in May 2021. She graduated from the Monroe Community College Dental Hygiene program in 2017 and began practicing full time in general dentistry. Her love for the profession and her patients is beyond measure. She is very excited to be a part of the FLDC team!

In her free time, Heather enjoys reading, being outdoors with her two Pomeranians, and spending time with friends and family.

Renee Fitzpatrick

Registered Dental Hygienist

Renee joined our hygiene team in January of 2016. She has been a dental hygienist for 24 years, living in the Buffalo and Rochester area. Renee enjoys helping and educating patients with her expertise in dental health and loves being part of a great dental team here at Finger Lakes Dental Care. Outside of work she is very busy with her three children; Josh, Julia and Brady. If Renee were able to find some spare time, she would spend it playing golf and tennis, then relaxing on the boat with her husband, Paul.

Jennifer Gensheimer

Registered Dental Hygienist

Jennifer has found her way back home to Finger Lakes Dental Care! She worked as a sub hygienist for us in 2012. She left to pursue a full-time position and maintained that position until she returned to us in November 2019. Jennifer recently expanded her certifications in anesthesia and nitrous oxide administration.

Jennifer is happily married to Richard. They have two small children, Addison and Austin. The kids keep her pretty busy, but in her free time she enjoys reading. Her favorite author is Maya Angelou. One of her favorite quotes from her is, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

Nicole Jacobs

Registered Dental Hygienist

Nicole joined Finger Lakes Dental in October, coming from Amherst, NY. Nicole earned her dental hygiene degree in 2017 from Erie Community College. She is experienced with pediatric dental hygiene and enjoys educating her patients to improve their oral hygiene. Nicole enjoys baking. She and her husband love to travel and enjoy spending time with their family. Nicole has a bachelor's in Physical Anthropology from University at Buffalo and an associate's in Dental Laboratory Technology from Erie Community College. Nicole is certified in anesthesia and nitrous oxide and is committed to family dental health.

Shannon Cali

Registered Dental Assistant

Shannon has been with Finger Lakes Dental Care since December of 2016. Shannon comes to us with over 10 years of experience in the dental field. She is certified in CPR and is a Registered Dental Assistant. She is also a member of the American Dental Assistant Association and American Association of Dental Office Managers. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family, friends and her rescued dog, Opie. She also enjoys music, gardening and the outdoors.

Aubrey Angora

Dental Assistant

Aubrey started at Finger Lakes Dental Care in August of 2020 as a dental assistant. She comes to us with eight years of customer service experience and two years of medical experience. She is CPR certified, and hopes to attend school in the future to assist. Aubrey grew up in Canisteo, NY and graduated high school in 2013. She then attended Finger Lakes Community College to play soccer and graduated with her liberal arts degree. In her free-time Aubrey runs her own photography business. Shooting weddings and portrait sessions is her passion. She also loves to spend time at home with her husband and 4-year old German shepherd, Mookie, as well as time outdoors riding four wheelers and hanging out with family and close friends.

Alyssa Arndt

Dental Assistant

Alyssa received her associates degree in science at Finger Lakes Community College. After that, she attended BOCES for dental assisting and passed her DANB exam to become a certified dental assistant. She joined Finger Lakes Dental Carte’s assisting team in August 2021 and has experience working in general and pediatric dentistry.

Savhanna Buccholz

Dental Assistant

Savhanna is new to the dental field, joining Finger Lakes Dental Care in March 2020. She graduated from SUNY Brockport as a sociology major, psychology minor. She is beyond excited to begin her career in the dental field, with her number one goal being to provide each and every patient with the highest quality dental experience. Following her mothers footsteps who has been apart of our team for 19 years.

In her spare time, Savhanna enjoys spending time with family and friends and going on walks with her Great Dane, Lulu.

Marissa Burkhardt

Dental Assistant

New to the dental field, Marissa joined the team in March of 2021 as a dental assistant. She was part of the first ever dental assisting school through Finger Lakes Dental Care. She comes to us with a background in restaurant management and 10 years of front-of-house restaurant experience as an assistant dining manager of an upscale independent senior living facility. Marissa and her husband share two fur babies named, Lexi and Luna. In their spare time, they like doing any outdoor activities, or just having a good time with family and friends. She is enjoying every aspect of her new dental career, and the teamwork that comes with working at Finger Lakes Dental Care. She is looking forward to learning everything she can and furthering her career as a dental assistant.

Dayana Cruz-Echemenia

Registered Dental Assistant

Dayana has been working with Finger Lakes Dental Care since January 2021. She has been in the dental field for 14 years. Dayana graduated from the University of Medical Science of Sancti Spiritus in Cuba, receiving her Doctorate in Dentistry. She practiced as a general dentist in Cuba and Venezuela before moving to the USA. Soon after arriving, she got to work studying for the National Dental Boards so she can practice dentistry in America. She’s enthusiastic about her job and loves to make people smile.

Outside of work, Dayana enjoys spending time with her fiance, son, and her cats, Simba, Stella, and Rocco. She loves to cook, travel, and experience new things.

Kassi Devlin

Registered Dental Assistant

Kassi is new to the dental field. She joined the Finger Lakes Dental Care assistant training program in March of 2022. After finishing the assistant program, she quickly found her place in pediatric dental care. Kassi is committed to giving the kids who come in a great experience so they will love coming back. Outside of work Kassi enjoys spending time with her family and friends, she also enjoys camping, kayaking, and other outdoor activities.

Danielle Ellis

Registered Dental Assistant

After several years in the food service industry Danielle joined the FLDC family in May of 2022 starting in the Dental Assistant school. She is happy to say that doing so is one of the best decisions she has made in her life! Since finishing with the assisting training and being on her own she has looked forward to learning and growing as an assistant every day. Danielle loves the camaraderie, support, and compassion that every employee at FLDC has toward one another, and that everyone goes above and beyond to ensure that each patient has the best experience possible and leaves happy.

When not at work you will find Danielle at her second job or with family; especially her daughter Mykenzi, spending time together and making memories with any activities we can find. On the rare days that Danielle has no plans you will find her under a blanket with a book. She loves to read and will read just about anything she can get her hands on!

Kayla Coffey

Registered Dental Assistant

Kayla has a background in orthodontics and is from Syracuse, New York. She played softball at Finger Lakes Community College and has played competitively her whole life. Kayla currently lives in Canandaigua with her boyfriend Anthony. In her free time, she enjoys walking and hiking around the lake, playing catch with a softball or football, and playing with her mini Bernedoodle, Capri.

Carmella Haak

Registered Dental Assistant

Carmella, is a Registered Dental Assistant and recently joined Finger Lakes Dental Care. She has more than 30 years of experience in the dental field with extensive knowledge and experience with dental implants. Carmella has over 1,000+ hours of continuing education in implantology, oral surgery and sedation dentistry. She has her phlebotomy and DANB certification as well as ACLS/ BLS certifications. She truly enjoys caring for and making patients feel comfortable in the dental office.

When Carmella is not working, she enjoys time with her family, especially her new grandson, Ben, and helping her husband with renovating their farmhouse. She enjoys the outdoors, gardening and watching movies.

Kalie Haight

Registered Dental Assistant

Kalie has been a certified and licensed Dental Assistant since 2011. She grew up in Fredonia, NY and graduated high school in 2010. She was the only freshman that year to get into the MCC Dental Assisting Program. Her love for dentistry came from when she was young and fell off her bike and smashed her face. Kalie needed stitches above her eye and ended up filling in all her front teeth and a root canal and crown… Needless to say, she spent a lot of time in the dental chair!

Kalie likes to volunteer. She has volunteered her time cooking at the Ronald McDonald house in the hospital for the families there, and has volunteered for Big Brother Big Sisters of America for many years. Kalie has raised money for cancer and even cuts her hair off every few years to donate.

Kalie loves to do a lot of outdoor stuff like hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, snowmobiling, camping and ice skating. She also loves riding on roller coasters! Kalie likes going to the theater and seeing different shows and musicals. She used to participate in them at school when she was a kid. Kalie recently decided that she would like to climb all 46 high peaks in the Adirondacks by the time she’s 30. (She already has one under her belt!)

Teri Howard

Registered Dental Assistant

Teri brought her 30+ years of experience to Finger Lakes Dental Care when she joined the team in 2017. Teri has been trained in many aspects of dentistry including cosmetic dentistry, oral surgery, sedation dentistry, and orthodontics. She continues to take many hours of continuing education and is CPR certified. When she isn’t working, Teri enjoys spending time with her husband, Jeff, and their blended family of seven children and grand babies! Teri and Jeff also enjoy working out, hiking, walking their two dogs, and spending time in their Florida home.

Megan Meckley

Registered Dental Assistant

Megan joined Finger Lakes Dental in August 2021 after completing the BOCES dental assistant program. Megan is currently CPR certified and working towards passing her DANB. Megan started working as a general dental assistant and found her passion for pediatric dental care. When Megan is not working, she likes to spend time with friends and family, kayaking, and doing other outdoor activities.

Carlos Rivera

Registered Dental Assistant

Carlos comes to Finger Lakes Dental Care with 6 years of experience in the dental field. He currently has his certificate as a Dental Assistant and aspires to be a Hygienist or Dentist. Carlos loves helping others have a healthy smile and feel comfortable. His greatest satisfaction is to see his patients happy with their smiles. Carlos lives in Geneva with his fiancé Jessy (who is also a Dental Assistant), her 3 children Zion, Zyaa and Dylan and 2 kittens Smokey and Garfunkel. In his free time, Carlos loves to watch basketball and sing. He also enjoys family movie night with his stepkids.

Diane Saxton

Registered Dental Assistant

Kim Shapley

Registered Dental Assistant

Kim began dental assisting in 2011 and received her CDA a few years later in Michigan. After moving to NY, Kim joined the Finger Lakes Dental Care team in October, 2020. When Kim is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family. Kim loves being outdoors especially in the warmer months, where she can relax by the water kayaking, fishing, hiking, 4 wheeling, walking her dog, Asia and she is always up for an adventure and making new memories!

Kayla Sisson

Registered Dental Assistant

Kayla Sisson is a Licensed Dental Assistant with our practice. She has been in the dental field since she was 16. Kayla grew up in Ecuador and has been exposed to dental knowledge all of her life. Her mother is an Orthodontist and has had her own practice for many years. Kayla spent many days helping her mother in the office. In 2007, she graduated from the University of Guayaquil, achieving her title as DDS. Kayla practiced as a dentist alongside her mother for some years before moving to the United States with her husband, Aaron. Upon arriving, Kayla immediately got to work and soon became a Licensed Dental Assistant in the state of New York. In addition, she is BLS and ACLS certified. She has a passion for all things dental, so she will never stop aspiring for great things.

When Kayla is not at the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband and her Boston Terrier, Baxter. They love the outdoors and like to take long walks, paddle-board and snowboard. She also takes time out of her weekends to volunteer in the community. Next time you are at the office, make sure you say hello!

Lia Shaw

Assistant Lead and Sterilization Technician

Lia comes to our office with 12 years of customer service experience in a variety of fields. Lia attended Keuka College for B.S. in ASL/English interpreting. Lia loves to help others and started at Finger Lakes Dental Care at the front desk as our greeting coordinator. In 2020, Lia transitioned into our sterilization technician where she is committed to teamwork and OSHA and CDC guidelines.

Outside of work, Lia enjoys painting, cooking, sewing, and carpentry with her boyfriend, Sam.

Patricia Loiacono

Treatment Coordinator & Front Desk Lead

Tricia is a 2018 graduate of SUNY Oswego and earned her bachelor’s degree in Wellness Management. Tricia is very passionate about the maintenance of health and well-being, and is fascinated how oral health plays a key role in our overall health.

When Tricia is not at work, she spends her weekends waitressing at a local restaurant. She enjoys spending her free time traveling, cooking, and being with her friends and family.

Michelle Jones

Treatment Coordinator

Michelle joined Finger Lakes Dental in Aug 2021. She is one of our Treatment Coordinators at the front desk. Michelle has 34 years experience in the dental field. Went to Durham college in Canada graduating as a level 2 dental assistant. Assisting for 16 years then moved into treatment planning for 18 years.

When not at work she likes spending time with her family and her German Shepard . She spends a lot of time at the gym with her husband doing fitness training. Currently working on opening her Etsy boutique to sell all of her unique art designs.

Marnie Joll

Hygiene Coordinator

Kathryn Llano

Treatment Coordinator

Kathryn has been with the office since October of 2021. She Graduated from Midlakes High School. She comes to us with 20 years experience in sales as a corporate sales trainer and a general manager. She enjoys Life Coaching and helping people develop the "best version of themselves."

In her free time you can find Kathryn on her Harley Davidson, hiking with her 4 dogs and husband exploring new and fun places, or on the water with the boat or paddle boards. She's an HUGE Buffalo Bills fan and loves spending time entertaining family and friends. Kathryn loves her career at Finger Lakes Dental care as a Treatment Coordinator as she has found her "forever work family."

Mackenzie Hicks

Greetings Coordinator