VO Team
We are especially interested in making all our patients feel right at home! We put your needs first to achieve efficient and comprehensive treatment. Our staff is trained and skilled, and we strive to provide energetic and fun-loving service to each patient. Each member of our treatment team is a registered assistant, and our office staff has years of experience in treating patients with the highest level of care. We strive to stay current with the very latest in technology and advances by regularly attending continuing education courses and seminars.
Julie Germain – Practice Administrator
Hello to all of you! I joined our team 18 years ago and am a proud bearer of many hats. My multi-task position is wonderful and I love to contribute to such a positive working atmosphere that the entire staff has created here at Valley Orthodontics. Every aspect of our patients care is important to me and I truly love the joy our patients express from their healthy smiles achieved by Dr. Maher and the assistants.
Away from the office I have served on many community boards. I enjoy music and time spent in my vegetable and flower gardens, and because I am a bit of a social extrovert I thoroughly welcome social time with family, friends and of course my Valley Orthodontic teammates. My husband of 28 years and 2 grown sons and I, love fishing and are all avid sports fans. I look forward to meeting you!
Rosie Lestrud– Scheduling Coordinator
I have worked at Valley Orthodontics for the past 12 years. I couldn't ask for a better place to work, as it is both fun and challenging. Dr. Maher and the staff are terrific to work with and I'm able to meet great kids and their parents. Orthodontics is a fascinating field and the end results are amazing!
My husband, Murray, and I live in the country near Baldwin. I love cats and have two house cats, Mitzi and Truffles and three barn cats, Bingo, Dolly, and Waldo (where is Waldo?). I enjoy reading (historical novels are my favorite) gardening, traveling – especially to New York City to visit my niece and to Oregon to visit my nephew. I also enjoy bicycling and have biked on many beautiful trails in both Wisconsin and Minnesota. I love where I'm at in my life. I have a great job, many friends and good health. Life is good!
Mary Lou Kugler – Treatment Coordinator, Registered Dental Assistant
Welcome, as Treatment Coordinator I will be one of the first people you meet at Valley Orthodontics. I have had the good fortune to work in the orthodontic field for over 30 years and with Valley Orthodontics for almost 20 of those years. I’ve been an assistant, lab technician, marketing director and now, the best part of my job – getting to meet, greet and educate all of our new patients and/or their parents about orthodontic treatment (what’s even better is I still get to assist on occasion)! Getting to know our patients over the course of their treatment is a blast. Watching the progress of their treatment and seeing the confidence grow as the smiles shine is very rewarding. My co-workers are some of my best friends and Dr. Maher is an excellent orthodontist and a great person to work for. Orthodontics is the place for me!
I live in Stillwater and love to spend time at our little cabin “up north”. My husband Joe, our daughter Kate and our 2 English Cocker Spaniels, Daisy and Sophie, love to fish, swim and hike along the North Shore. Because my job allows me to work part time, I also enjoy volunteering at my daughter’s school in Stillwater and at our church for Wednesday night religious education.
Jeri Nelson – Registered Dental Assistant
After receiving a BA in 1994 with Broad Area Art from UWRF, I tried many professions and found my passion in the field of dentistry. Then, I graduated with a Dental Assistant Degree in 1997 from Century College of Minnesota. I never looked back. Every day, I know I make a difference, watching each patient achieve a new confidence and an amazing smile. It does help that I get to work in a fun atmosphere, with my closest friends and the kindest boss, plus I get to let out my inner kid.
I’m a real animal lover and enjoy pet sitting for my friends. I enjoy all cardio activities in the gym and outside on those hot days. Some people may think I worship the sun. Whenever possible I like to try a new adventure or a new place to travel. I’m a girl on the go but also like to curl up on the couch with a good mystery novel or movie and don’t forget the sweets (followed by a thorough brushing, of course).
Andrea Schmidt – Dental Assistant, Registered Dental Assistant, Lab Technician
I’ve been a Registered and Certified Dental Assistant since 1999. I received my clinical training at Lakeland Medical/Dental Academy in Minneapolis Minnesota. I joined Dr. Maher’s staff in April 2005. I head up the lab at Valley Orthodontics as well as working chair side with patients. What drew me to orthodontics was seeing the beautiful smiles we create every day. It makes it all worthwhile to see the patient walk out the door with a new self-assurance. I enjoy working at Valley Orthodontics because Dr. Maher and staff are some of the warmest and most compassionate people I have worked with. Plus we have the best patients around!
When I’m out of the office I enjoy spending time with my husband Tom, daughter Fiona and sweetheart of a dog Spike. I enjoy hiking along the North Shore, running, shopping with Fiona and going out to dinner with our family and friends.
Vanessa Krier – Marketing Director
Welcome to Valley Orthodontics! After obtaining a BBA with majors in Marketing and Management from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND I found that orthodontics was the place to be! Dr. Maher is an amazing orthodontist and I love seeing the beautiful smiles our team creates. I truly have the best job because I get to spend time with all of our patients and plan fun programs and activities for them. When visiting Valley Orthodontics I want to make your experience exciting and enjoyable!
My husband Dan and I live in Oakdale and enjoy being on the go. We love spending time with family and friends, going to Twin’s games, and watching movies. In my free time I like to scrapbook, cook/bake, and party plan.
Lauren Hafner – Licensed Dental Assistant
I received my clinical training at Century College. I love working chair side because I am able to get to know our patients and watch their confidence grow throughout their treatment. Dr. Maher is an amazing orthodontist and it is very rewarding to see how beautiful and healthy our patient’s smiles turn out! I am very fortunate to work with a team of such warm and fun-loving people. Coming to work every day is fun!!
Outside of the office I love to spend time with my family and friends. I enjoy being outdoors, working out, and chasing around Nala my black lab.
