Meet Surfside Pediatric Dentistry

Adam Hagan, DDS, FAAPD

Dr. Adam as he is better known by his patients first became interested in dentistry while working on a cleft lip and palate research project at the University of the Pacific in San Francisco. He traveled to Guatemala taking blood samples and helping specially trained dentists and plastic surgeons make devices that aided in their surgery. Dr. Adam continued his interest in research and spent a busy year before dental school at Stanford University studying the maternal‐child relationship in multiple sclerosis.

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Adam Hagan, DDS, FAAPD

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Joanna McClain-Hooper, DMD

Dr. Joanna was raised in South Florida, where she attended the University of Florida for both undergraduate and dental school. She graduated with Honors in 2009 and has maintained a high level of continuing education ever since.

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Joanna McClain-Hooper, DMD

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Christie Sankowski, DMD, FAAPD

Dr. Christie grew up in upstate New York, at the foot of the Adirondack mountains. She completed her undergraduate degree as a dietitian from Syracuse University, graduating summa cum laude. She has always loved guiding children and families to healthy lifestyle choices. Dr. Christie is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, in Philadelphia and completed her pediatric dental residency with Dr. Adam at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

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Ashlee Turner-Lee, DMD, MPH

Dr. Ashlee was born and raised in Heflin, Alabama. She received her undergraduate degree in biology, a master of public health care in health care organization and policy, and attended dental school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

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Ashlee Turner-Lee, DMD, MPH

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Specialized Dental Care:

Specialized Needs/All Ages

Autism

Growth and Development

Sedation

Medically Complex

Dental Services Provided Include:

In-Office Sedation

BPA-Free Sealants

Tooth-Colored Fillings & Crowns

Tongue-Tie Treatment

Laser Dentistry

Low-Radiation Dental Technology

Jim Hagan, BA

Director of Business Operations

I am from Nebraska but moved away for a career in the Air Force. I spent the majority of my service in Italy and Spain maintaining C-141’s and C-5’s. After my military retirement, I joined Ford Motor company and managed the distribution of their parts network. I retired again to be close to grandchildren and now call Tybee Island home and love living on the beach. My experience in logistics helps the Surfside team navigate the complexities of insurance reimbursement.

Andrea Fuller, RDH

Practice Manager

I’m from Arizona, but I’ve lived in Georgia for 8 years. I’m married with 3 kids and love reading, chocolate, and letting loose with my kids on roller coasters and bungee jumping! I enjoy working with kids because of how funny they can be, it keeps my job interesting! I love working at Surfside and hope you enjoy coming here too!

Kristi Hagan, DPT

I am originally from California and fell in love with Georgia when we were stationed at Fort Gordon, Augusta in 2009. I have a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from New York University and currently use my knowledge of dental/medical insurance to manage Surfside’s operating room services and hospital dentistry while being an extremely busy Mom of two! In my free time I enjoy sewing costumes for theater/stage productions.

Jamie Carmack

Insurance Coordinator

Hi my name is Jamie. Originally from Kentucky I moved to Brunswick in 2016. My boyfriend and I have 2 dogs, Cooper and Dolly. I’ve always loved being around children and as a Patient Care Coordinator I get to have a part in giving them the self confidence of having a healthy smile. After all, your smile is your best accessory!

Fun Fact: If I’m not spoiling my dogs I enjoy watching investigative shows.

Sarah Emerick, BS

Patient Care Coordinator

I am originally from rural Pennsylvania, where I grew up on a farm. As an Army spouse, I have lived with my family in various parts of the country and relocated to Coastal Georgia. Most of my free time is spent running my boys between practices and games or coordinating events for military families. My absolute favorite thing about the opportunity to work in pediatrics is the laughter – the giggles are the greatest!

Fun Fact: I recently completed my degree in Business & Human resources and I enjoy utilizing it to enhance access to care for the children we serve!

Elizabeth Andrewes, BFA, MFA

Marketing & Advertising Coordinator

Born in Boston, Elizabeth was raised in Concord, Massachusetts, and spent time as a child in England. She holds an M.F.A. in production design from Savannah College of Art and Design and B.F.A. in dance performance from Chapman University. With a passion for storytelling and entertaining an audience, Elizabeth has discovered her artistic voice both on and off the stage from dance, vocal, and piano performances to set design for film, television, and theater. Having worked with children in different capacities and a background in the creative arts, Elizabeth is able to apply her love for children and design to her role as the Marketing and Advertising Coordinator at Surfside.

Fun Fact: Elizabeth worked as the set decorator on the Hallmark movies Love to the Rescue and Love Takes Flight, and other productions including American Idol and Puppy Bowl XV on Animal Planet.

Cortney Dyson, RDH

Dental Hygienist

Cortney is a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) and is originally from Brunswick, GA. She currently resides in Waycross, GA with her husband, step-son, and precious pup Piper. Her favorite thing about working with children is watching the fear that some may have transform to excitement throughout each dental visit.

Fun Fact: She groomed her family cat at the age of three and has since been banned from using scissors for all eternity.

Jilliana Schulte, RDH

Dental Hygienist

Born in New Jersey, but raised in Oklahoma, Jill graduated from Savannah Technical College with a Dental Hygiene Associate of Science degree and is a Certified Dental Assistant through the American Red Cross.

Fun Fact: Jill has visited twelve countries, four continents in total, and hopes to travel to all seven. From a military family, Jill lived in Okinawa, Japan from ages 12 to 16 years old.

Tzu “Migo” Huang, BS, CDA, EFDA

I hold both a DANB CDA certificate and an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant certification, which gives me expertise in advanced pediatric care. It also enables me to scrub in the operating room when children require advanced procedures under anesthesia and oral surgery. I am from Taiwan and when you see the world map, my country looks like chicken thigh. I am a founding member or Sufside Kids and have enjoyed it since our very first patients. I love creating an environment where children leave with a smile and I know my day was full of generating lasting, fun memories that help our kids and families become part fo the Surfside Family too!

Fun Fact: I love going to SPA and brush my dog’s teeth, multiple times a day. Seriously, they sparkle.

Genelle Usher, EFDA

Office Team Coordinator (Richmond HIll)

Genelle is an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant from Blakely, GA. Receiving her certification from Savannah Technical College in 2013, she has practiced as a dental assistant in pediatric dentistry for 6 years. She enjoys making dentistry fun and providing children with the opportunity to have healthy smiles. Although dentistry is her passion, during her spare time Genelle enjoys cosmetology, karaoke, and spending quality time with her husband, daughter, and her mother.

Fun fact: Genelle enjoys baking desserts.

Alexis Phillips, EFDA

Born and raised in Richmond Hill, Georgia, Alexis joined our Surfside team at the beginning of 2020 working as a Dental Assistant, and holds an EFDA certification from Savannah Technical College. Since she was a child, Alexis has always enjoyed going to the dentist, but it was after getting braces that she decided she wanted to pursue a career in dentistry.

Fun Fact: Alexis is an aunt of five!

Taylor Lowery, EFDA

Born in Southern California, Taylor was raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In June 2019, she moved to Savannah, Georgia with her fiancé and their three amazing children. Taylor became a CDA (Certified Dental Assistant) at Ross Medical Education Center and received an EFDA (Expanded Functions Dental Assistant) certification from Georgia Dental Association. Above all, Taylor loves to help people. Eventually, she would like to travel abroad and teach dental hygiene and practices. Many people don’t know that poor dental hygiene leads to other medical conditions like heart disease.

Shalina Martin, EFDA

Born and raised on the beach in Emerald Isle, North Carolina, Shalina started with Surfside Kids as a Sterilization Tech and transitioned into a Dental Assistant. She recently received her EFDA (Expanded Functions Dental Assistant) certification through the Georgia Dental Association. As the former Assistant Director for 4-H Youth Development, working with kids has always been a passion.

Fun Fact: Shalina performed backup vocals and tambourine in a classic rock band.

Jade Barnard, EFDA

Originally from Vidalia, GA, Jade is an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) who takes great pride in the importance of her profession and the lasting and durable impact it has on a child’s relationship with healthcare for decades to come.

Fun Fact: When I was a child I would sleep walk almost every night. One night my family found me in the car, and after that scare my sister would build obstacles in front of the door to keep me safe.

Roshea Pollock, AS, BS

Patient Care Coordinator

Born and raised in SpanishTown, Jamaica, Roshea and her family moved to Brunswick, Georgia in 2004. She and her husband have two beautiful children (ages 2 and 3). Between her passion for working with children and making people feel comfortable and confident about their smile, Roshea naturally embodies the role as one of Surfside’s patient care coordinators. She holds an Associate in Clinical Laboratory Technology degree and Bachelor in Health Information degree.

Fun Fact: The best advice Roshea was ever given was from her Mom: “Know your worth.”

Desiree Pena

Patient Care Coordinator

Born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, but raised in Browns Mills, New Jersey, Desiree, her husband and two children (ages 7 and 12) moved to Richmond Hill in September 2017. Desiree has always been someone who loves helping people and has a passion for working with children, so naturally, she embodies the role of a patient care coordinator.

Fun Fact: Desiree loves jigsaw puzzles and after work/school dance parties with her children and husband; more specifically, dancing the meringue or bachata.

Candace Boggs

Patient Care Coordinator

My name is Candace, and I’m from Claxton, Georgia, Home of the Fruit Cakes. I chose Surfside Kids because I’ve always wanted to work with children and make them feel loved and unafraid… What better place! I love working at Surfside Kids because the company makes you feel like family, and they believe in family being first. No matter how hard things seem, the team tells you it’s okay and to do your best. Teamwork also makes the dream work here, and I love it! I wouldn’t ask for a better company to be a part of. I have an Associate of Science Degree in Medical Billing and Coding, and graduated in May 2015 from Ultimate Medical Academy.

Fun Fact: I am a big kid!! I know every song that comes on the KidzBop Station.

Francene Rowland

Patient Care Coordinator

Born in Germany and raised in a military family, Francene has called Georgia her home for the last twenty years. Her family currently resides in their home state of Hawaii. Francene and her fiancé have two amazing kiddos, close in age, who bring joy and smiles into their everyday life. As a people person, with an innate desire to help those in need, including animals, Francene is a strong addition to the Surfside team working as a patient care coordinator.

Fun Fact: I have a dog named Rice and two cats, Tama and Sophie! One day, I want to be able to save all animals!