Meet the Team

Joleen
Surgical Dental Assistant

Joleen joined our team over 20 years ago. She oversees our clinical inventory and also works closely with our patients with her reassuring demeanor and comforting spirit. Joleen has also been an LPN since 1981. She loves animals and enjoys spending time with her family.

Raymond
Professional Relationship Director

Raymond wears several different hats here. He is our IT specialist, Treatment Coordinator, Public Relations Director and also brings a great level of support to our patients as a certified dental assistant. Raymond joined our team full time 5 years ago.

When not here at LP, Raymond enjoys cycling, fishing, drag car racing, golf, ATV’s and tending to his small farm animals.

Desiree
Surgical Dental Assistant

Desiree graduated from Traviss technical college in 2022. She enjoys getting to help patients with whatever needs they have!

When not working as a dental assistant, Desiree enjoys spending time with her family, hanging with her church family, and playing with her dog. She also enjoys one on one time with her husband who devotes his life as a Polk County deputy sheriff!

Laura
Surgical Dental Assistant

Laura has been in the periodontal field for about five years now and really enjoys assisting our doctor. Laura is now happily married to her husband Jose with their puppy “Max” and they recently relocated to Lakeland. She loves spending time with family and friends as well as enjoying outdoor activities and exploring new places.

Haleigh
Surgical Dental Assistant

Haleigh graduated from Travis Technical College in 2023. She chose this field of work because she loves helping people feel confident with their new smiles. When Haleigh is not at work, you will often find her indulging in the Magic of Disney! She is also a youth leader at her church, and is a dog mom to a miniature doberman pincher named “Buddy”! Haleigh also enjoys many DIY projects, especially the ones that allow her to express her creativity.  

Lilly
Surgical Dental Assistant

Bio coming soon!

Deborah
Registered Dental Hygienist

Deborah started her career in Dental Hygiene in 1981 after graduating from St. Petersburg Junior College. She initially practiced her long awaited career in Germany. She returned to the US three years later to continue her profession. Her passion for her role here at LP is evident with the high level of care and compassion shared with our patients.

Deborah’s spare time is spent “working/playing” in her gardens, DIY projects, and spending time with her son and 3 year old grandson.

Nuvia
Registered Dental Hygienist

Nuvia has been a valued part of our team since 2006. Initially, she worked chairside as a surgical assistant, and then furthered her education 7 years ago by obtaining her AS degree in dental hygiene. We are blessed that she continued with our office in her new role as Registered Dental Hygienist. Nuvia speaks fluent Spanish and helps our patients with her bi-lingual capabilities.

When not here with her LP team, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and enjoying outdoor activities. Nuvia and her husband have 3 children.

Freda
Registered Dental Hygienist

Freda has been in periodontal practice almost all of her lengthy career and loves getting to know each of her patients while helping them to improve their dental challenges with skill and dedication. Each patient is unique and she strives to help each one discover personal best in their dental health.

A fourth generation Floridian, Freda has her roots in the agricultural community. Growing up on the multi-generational dairy farm, she never dreamed she and her husband would be the generation to close Polk County’s last dairy farm with a final crop: concrete.

As a lover of the outdoors and animals, she is still owned by 2 horses, a dog, parrot, and barn cat that keep her occupied in the stable. When riding and barn chores are complete you can find her sewing and quilting.

A mother of 4 children who are spread around the country, she is also blessed with 4 grandchildren, although living out of state, she visits and spoils as often as possible.

Beverly
Office Manager

Bev has been with LP for 43 years, starting with the practice founder, Dr. Jim Belcher. As the practice administrator, she oversees all aspects of the clinical and clerical areas. She loves the daily interaction with patients and team members, and considers them all, extended family. Bev enjoys the beach, cooking, and traveling with her husband & family. As an avid cat lover, she and her husband added 2 new fur babies to the family this year; “Tyrus” & “G !”.

Jen
Treatment Coordinator

Jen comes to Lakeland Periodontics with 20 + years of dental administrative skills. Her ability to easily communicate with others, making them feel comfortable and uplifted, is just one of her many great qualities. She has spent the last year of her career here with the LP team.

We are so glad that Jen made the decision in March of 2018 to relocate and become a permanent resident of Florida.

Jen has a passion for nurturing houseplants and gardening. She is a proud Momma of 2, and even more proud Nonna of 3! While her family keeps her quite busy, she loves to spend time at Disney. She surprised us all when she returned from a recent vacation as a married woman!

Kimber
New Patient Coordinator

Kimber graduated from the Traviss Dental Assisting program in 2019 and worked in general dentistry prior to joining our team. Kimber brings dual talents to our team as she is a certified dental assistant and a very proficient administrative assistant.

Kimber is happily married with two beautiful daughters. In her spare time, she enjoys being on the water and boating with her family, volunteering with the school PTA and getting lost in a good book.

Tara
Insurance Coordinator

Tara has been with the LP family since 2014 with over 20 years of experience in the dental field.

After 10 years of being a dental assistant, she switched gears and now prefers the administrative side of dentistry.

Tara is married and is a fur mom to her 11 yr old labrador, Loomis. She is also involved with TNR programs for cats. She and her husband, help rescues with transports and fostering of homeless pets. Tara also enjoys boating and water sports.

Kelly
Patient Service Representative

Kelly worked with us at Lakeland Periodontics several years ago and is back with us. She has been in dentistry since 1986. She has worked both chairside and in administration. She enjoys interacting with patients and loves to see them smile. Kelly is happily married to Paul and they have a 19 year old daughter, Anna.They also have several fur babies at home.

In her spare time, Kelly enjoys reading, cooking and spending time at the beach with her family.

Ginny
Treatment Coordinator

Ginny is one of the newest members of our staff here at Lakeland Perio. She graduated from the University of South Florida in 2020 and has been in dentistry for the last year. She has recently moved to the area and has become a wonderful addition to our team.

In her spare time, Ginny enjoys reading, watching football (Go Bills!), and traveling with her boyfriend. She has two cats and a niece and nephew she loves spoiling and spending time with.