MEET THE TEAM
Bailee
Referral Coordinator
Bailee is a vital part of the PSEA team, bringing a wealth of experience to both our clinical and administrative departments. Since 2022, she has mastered everything from referral coordination to patient care, all driven by her genuine love for helping people. For Bailee, the best part of her job is the personal connections she makes; she thrives on ensuring every patient feels welcomed and supported from the moment they call our office to the moment they check out
When she’s away from the office, Bailee is an avid reader and Animal Crossing enthusiast. She loves spending time with her boyfriend, Donavin, at local car shows and curling up at home with her dog, Yogi, and her two cats, Milo and Akira.
Theresa
Patient Care Coordinator
Before diving into the world of endodontics, Theresa spent her time advising clients on how to keep their greenery thriving at a local plant shop. While she loved the "plant life," she was searching for a career path where she could truly see herself growing for years to come. Today, she uses that same nurturing energy to ensure our patients feel comfortable and well-cared for.
A California native, Theresa moved to Washington in 2021 via South Carolina alongside her husband, Justin's military career. When she isn't at the office, you’ll likely find her at a music festival or exploring the Pacific Northwest. She is a proud "pet parent" to a full house: two dogs, Maya and Quinn, and a cat named Goose.
Hannah
Patient Care Coordinator
Hannah is a Tacoma native who brings a fresh perspective to Puget Sound Endodontic Associates. With a professional background in insurance law, she is now exploring the "provider side" of healthcare and finds the specialized field of dental work fascinating. Hannah was drawn to this role by her desire to work directly with people, and her warm smile is often the first thing our patients encounter when they arrive.
When she isn’t helping our patients, Hannah is a devoted reader and writer with a massive collection of books at home. Though her own manuscript has taken a back seat to her new career, she still finds plenty of inspiration while relaxing with her "furbabies": her cats, Olive and Mimi, and her adventurous German Shepherd/Husky pup, Murphy.
Margaret
Patient Care Coordinator
When you first visit our office, you’ll be greeted by Margaret’s warm smile and signature sense of humor. With over 25 years of experience in the dental field, she is an expert at managing all your front-office needs and is truly dedicated to ensuring every patient has a fantastic experience.
Outside the office, Margaret stays active through running, camping, and hiking. She loves traveling and spending quality time with her son and best friends.
An avid animal lover, Margaret is often found outdoors with her rescue dog, Bruiser—who surprisingly loves to join her on kayaking adventures!
Joia
Patient Care Coordinator
While Joia is new to the dental field, she is no stranger to the world of healthcare. Growing up in a family of medical professionals—including an OBGYN, an LPN, and a physical therapist—she developed a deep respect for the patience and heart required to care for others. Joia is passionate about making sure every patient feels heard and respected. Having experienced her own "smile transformation" with braces, she understands firsthand how dental health can boost confidence and is eager to help our patients feel great about their own smiles.
A lifelong Pacific Northwest resident, Joia recently moved back to the Tacoma area. Her proud Jamaican heritage shines through in her love for music, which she considers a central part of her life. When she isn’t traveling to favorite spots like Germany, France, or Jamaica, she’s at home relaxing with her two cats, Pancake and Bubbi.
Braden
Safety & Maintenance Coordinator
Meet Braden! With his strong technical background and a lifelong passion for patient care, Braden is the perfect fit to keep our clinic running smoothly and safely.
Growing up in a family of doctors, nurses, and hospital administrators, Braden developed a deep understanding of healthcare operations early on. He recently graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, specializing in robotics. While he loves technology, he wanted a career where he could directly help people. Combining his tech expertise with dental engineering proved to be the perfect path. Though new to dentistry, his advanced education makes him uniquely qualified to manage, troubleshoot, and maintain the complex equipment we utilize every day to keep our patients safe.
Born and raised right here in the University Place/Tacoma area, Braden loves serving his local community. For him, the most rewarding part of his role is knowing that his work behind the scenes directly helps relieve patient stress and ensures a high standard of care.
Outside the office, Braden loves watching movies and spending quality time with his wife, Ava. Together, they enjoy hiking, taking long walks, and paddleboarding during the summer. They are also the proud owners of a 1.5-year-old Cane Corso named Minnie (like Minnie Mouse), who already weighs a gentle 130 pounds! Braden always has a photo of Minnie ready to show off, so be sure to ask him for a sneak peek at your next visit.
Ava
Patient Care Coordinator
Ava has spent virtually her entire life immersed in the dental world. As the daughter of Dr. Niazi, her earliest memories include sitting at the front desk of his general dentistry practices as a toddler and later landing her first official job organizing files at the Gig Harbor office as a teenager. Growing up in this environment sparked a lifelong passion for the field, leading her to pursue a career focused on the business and patient-facing side of dentistry rather than clinical care.
Ava loves acting as the bridge between patients and their office experience. She takes great pride in turning stressful or difficult situations into positive, comfortable outcomes for everyone who walks through the door.
A local at heart, Ava grew up in the Gig Harbor area and attended high school at Charles Wright Academy in University Place. She later moved California to attend San Diego State University, where she lived for four years during her studies and spent an additional year working post-graduation.
Now back in the local area, Ava stays busy outside of work by spending quality time with her family, hitting the gym, and playing soccer.
Angela
Patient Care Coordinator
Angela brings a passion for public health and a warm, welcoming presence to our team. A lifelong Washingtonian, she recently relocated to the Tacoma area after graduating from the University of Washington - Seattle with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health.
Before stepping into the dental field, Angela gained valuable experience in public health research and worked with a mental health nonprofit dedicated to spreading awareness and reducing stigma. Her decision to explore dentistry comes from deep roots—her grandparents are dentists and sparked her curiosity about the field from a young age. After college, Angela knew she wanted to dive in first-hand to learn the ins and outs of daily clinic operations.
For Angela, the most rewarding part of her role is being the very first point of contact for our patients. She loves offering a friendly smile and a warm welcome, knowing that a kind face can go a long way in easing nerves before an appointment.
When she isn't helping patients, Angela is busy exploring her new neighborhood. You can usually find her scouting the area for the best new matcha and coffee shops, walking along the beach with her boyfriend, or experimenting with new cooking recipes in the kitchen. She also loves spending time with and pampering Kody, her beloved 11-year-old childhood dog.
Talia
Treatment Coordinator
PSEA is proud to have Talia on our team! While she is a trained dentist, we are incredibly fortunate to have her expertise and clinical skills as a Dental Assistant. Talia’s journey in healthcare began early; inspired by two family members in the profession, she pursued her undergraduate dental degree in Mexico City. She is driven by a genuine passion for oral health and loves seeing the immediate boost in confidence and comfort her patients feel after a visit.
Originally from Mexico City, Talia moved to Washington in November 2021 after marrying her husband. While she has traded Mexico’s warmth for the beauty of the Pacific Northwest’s mountains and rain, she has embraced the adventure of her new home.
Talia’s compassion extends well beyond the office. She has dedicated years to rescuing dogs and cats in Mexico and continues that love for animals at home with her two adopted pups: Nanny, a Yorkie, and Sophie, a Chiweenie mix. When she isn't helping patients, you can find her hiking, playing tennis, working out, learning to roller skate, or diving into new creative projects like acrylic painting.
Brittany
Treatment Coordinator
A Gig Harbor native, Brittany was personally trained by Dr. Tina Olsson and finds her greatest reward in helping patients regain their confidence. Whether she's assisting chairside or offering an encouraging word, she loves seeing patients leave feeling better about themselves.
Outside the office, Brittany is usually outdoors with her high school sweetheart and their two "fur babies." A true Pacific Northwesterner, she spends her summers boating, wake surfing, and camping. She is also a die-hard football fan—you can find her cheering on the Seahawks or playing fantasy football during the season!
Tawnya
Treatment Coordinator
After a 30-year hiatus, Tawnya is thrilled to return to the dental field as an Endodontic Assistant. Driven by the belief that helping others is a life's purpose, she was drawn back to the industry for its unique blend of detail-oriented precision and technical challenges. Her patient-first philosophy make her an invaluable asset to our clinical team.
A lifelong local, Tawnya grew up in the Orting/Sumner/Puyallup area and has called the Key Peninsula home for the last 20 years. Life on the Peninsula keeps her busy; she is an avid gardener and a dedicated hobby farmer who spent many years raising dairy goats. Her current farm family includes 17 chickens, a Border Collie named Teddy, and two resident kitties, Catniss and Astro.
Beyond the clinic and the farm, Tawnya’s creative talents shine. She is a gifted portrait artist and a classical guitarist, though she’s just as happy relaxing with a good movie during her downtime.
Hailey
Treatment Coordinator
Hailey’s fascination with dentistry started early; as a child, she was the one peering over the dentist’s shoulder to watch her mom’s fillings! Since graduating from Bates Technical College in 2023, that curiosity has grown into a dedicated career. After gaining experience in pediatrics, she joined PSEA in 2024 to dive deeper into the world of endodontics. Her goal is to one day become a dentist herself.
Hailey loves that there is always something new to learn in dentistry and enjoys educating patients on the importance of oral health.
Born and raised right here in Gig Harbor, she is a true local. When she isn’t at the clinic, you can find her watching movies, listening to music, or trying to find room for new additions to her massive book collection alongside her dog, Luna.
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Kassy
Treatment Coordinator
Kassy brings six years of dedicated dental assisting experience and a lifelong passion for patient care to our specialist team. Growing up in Colorado, her introduction to the dental world came early as she watched her father practice dentistry. Her definitive career spark happened during a middle school career day. Eager to skip a day of regular classes, she shadowed her dad and his assistant for the day. Instead of just getting a break from school, Kassy fell in love with the intricate clinical processes, the depth of procedural knowledge, and the art of compassionate patient care.
Driven by a deep fascination with human anatomy and the unique traits found in every individual, Kassy pursued her formal education in Colorado, completing both her dental assisting and Extended Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) credentials. Since graduating, she has built a strong foundation in general dentistry and is now thrilled to bring her advanced skills to a specialized practice setting. She views every patient visit as an opportunity to deliver gentle, exceptional care, striving to treat each individual with "velvet gloves" and genuine kindness. Kassy loves building lasting connections with her patients, often blending her clinical expertise with a supportive ear, a bunch of kindness, and a well-timed joke to put people at ease. She also keeps an eye out for unique tooth anatomy, celebrating the subtle quirks that make every smile one of a kind.
In 2010, Kassy relocated to the Pacific Northwest, where she now resides with her wonderful husband and their children. Outside the clinic, her primary role is keeping two active pre-teens fed and thriving. Her ultimate happy place is her vibrant summer flower garden. When she is not tending to her blossoms, Kassy loves working with her hands—whether she is painting, crocheting, canning fresh preserves, or out picking local berries in August. Above all, she treasures relaxing weekends spent creating things and making memories with her close friends and family.
Jordan
Treatment Coordinator
Meet Jordan! Originally from Marysville and now a Tacoma local, Jordan jumped into dentistry in 2021 after a friend—an office manager at a pediatric clinic—offered her a chance to train on the job.
She’s since expanded her experience into general dentistry and found her niche in Endodontics in 2024. Jordan thrives on the steady pace and reliability of the dental field.
When she’s not helping patients, you can find her out for a stroll with her dog, Stella, or hanging out with her favorite niece and nephew.
Stephanie
Operations Coordinator
With over 12 years of experience in the medical field spanning contracting, billing, networking, and front desk operations, Stephanie discovered her true passion when she transitioned into the dental industry at a small endodontic practice. Coming from a background in corporate medicine, she immediately fell in love with the localized, independent environment of dentistry, which allows for more specific, one-on-one patient care.
Stephanie's journey eventually led her to PSEA, where she proudly worked her way up from the front desk to Operations Coordinator. Although she took a brief detour to work remotely for an insurance company to prioritize family time, the experience only made her realize how deeply she missed the vibrant environment, the wonderful people, and her fulfilling role at PSEA. She is thrilled to be back doing what she loves in a field that prioritizes community and genuine connections with patients and doctors alike.
Born and raised in Poulsbo, Stephanie has lived in Arizona and Colorado, but nothing beats the Pacific Northwest! Outside of work, she stays busy spending quality time with her husband and two children, supporting their favorite baseball and cheer activities, and staying active in her local church.
Maria
Treatment Coordinator
Maria brings three years of diverse clinical experience to our practice, having assisted in General Dentistry, Orthodontics, Geriatric Care, Prosthodontics, Oral Surgery, and now Endodontics. Inspired to enter the field by the exceptional care she received from her own childhood dentist, she loves the hands-on diversity of dentistry. By combining her clinical knowledge with a genuine love for people, she effortlessly connects our clinical care and patient coordination.
Originally from Canada, Maria lived throughout Washington State before recently making Gig Harbor her home. Outside the practice, Maria is actively pursuing her dream of becoming a dentist by completing her Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science and finishing her dental school prerequisites. When she isn't studying, working in a research lab, or volunteering at her church, she loves expressing her creativity through playing the piano, singing, and cooking or baking.
Coming Soon!
Patient Care Coordinator
Seeking a rewarding clinical role with a practice focused on excellence, teamwork, and patient-centered care? We need a compassionate Endodontic Dental Assistant to support our doctors and ensure exceptional patient experiences.
Coming Soon!
Treatment Coordinator
Help us save smiles by creating welcoming first impressions and managing essential front-desk communications. Join our highly respected, multi-location endodontic practice and bring comfort and relief to patients every day.