Meet the Staff

The Team

Your decision to pursue orthodontic treatment is an investment in your future and overall dental health. Selecting the right office that best suits your needs is a very important part of that decision. At Klein & Cook Orthodontics, the entire staff is highly trained and dedicated to providing a superior level of orthodontic treatment. Our team maintains the highest standards within the orthodontic field. Our staff members are all certified dental assistants and are routinely updated in special courses to serve you with the newest techniques in all phases of treatment. We strictly follow the procedures recommended by the American Dental Association for sterilization and infection control, so we assure your health and safety.

In a warm and caring environment, our office has the specialized equipment, facility, and staff to properly address today's most demanding orthodontic needs.

The Doctors

Dr. Klein

Favorite way to spend free time: Playing golf
Favorite movie: Braveheart
Last book I read: Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard
Best song ever: Hallelujah Chorus by Handel Messiah
If I could live anywhere: Napa Valley, California
Last concert I saw: Lynyrd Skynyrd
Best place I’ve ever been: Tahiti
Favorite celebrity smile: Faith Hill
Personal hero: Ronald Reagan
Talents: Straightening teeth

Dr. Cook

Favorite way to spend free time: Spending time with my wife and kids
Favorite movie: O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Last book I read: The Judas Strain
Best song ever: “It’s a Beautiful Day” by U2
Last concert I saw: LeAnn Rimes
Best place I’ve ever been: Stingray City, Grand Cayman
Favorite celebrity smile: Jessica Biel

Administrative Staff

The administrative staff serves various roles in our office. Gina, the Mt. Vernon Scheduling Coordinator, has been with the practice since 1993. Rhonda, the Salem Coordinator started in 2005, and Michelle the Marion and Carbondale Scheduling Coordinator, started in 1998. They are all friendly, fast and seasoned in multi-tasking skills. Their goal is to schedule your orthodontic visits with as little impact to your busy schedule as possible. Our Financial Coordinator, Debbie, is always there for your financial concerns. Her main goal is to make your financial experience at our office as easy and convenient as possible. Michelle, also our Insurance Coordinator, specializes in helping to make your insurance work for you. Her main goal is to help you maximize your insurance benefits. She is available to answer all of your insurance questions.

Gina, Scheduling Coordinator

Favorite way to spend free time: Playing with my grandson
Last book I read: A Beverly Lewis series
Best song ever: “Blessings” by Laura Story
If I could live anywhere: Right here with my family
Last concert I saw: Matthew West & Jon Henninger
Best place I’ve ever been: My cousin Steve’s in Texas
Favorite celebrity smile: Julia Roberts
Personal hero: My 3 sons
Talents: Personal shopper & helping others find deals

Rhonda, Scheduling Coordinator

Favorite way to spend free time: Outside activities with my family
Favorite movie: The Blind Side
Last book I read: Words Unspoken by Elizabeth Musser
Best song ever: “Amazing Grace”
If I could live anywhere: Where I live right now
Last concert I saw: Oak Ridge Boys
Best place I’ve ever been: Disneyworld with grandkids
Personal hero: My mom
Talents: Cooking and quilting

Michelle K., Scheduling Coordinator & Insurance Coordinator

Favorite way to spend free time: Traveling, reading, spending time with family
Favorite movie: Pride & Prejudice
Last book I read: Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
If I could live anywhere: Anywhere my family is
Last concert I saw: Josh Groban
Personal hero: Jesus Christ

Shelley, Professional Relations Coordinator

Favorite way to spend free time: Playing outside with my kids, watching movies, reading
Favorite movie: Die Hard
Last book I read: Good to Great by Jim Collins
Best song ever: “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses
Last concert I saw: Nickelback
Best place I’ve ever been: Cabo San Lucas
Favorite celebrity smile: Robert Pattinson
Talents: Prioritizing, planning & organizing; speed-walking in heels

Debbie, Financial Coordinator

Favorite way to spend free time: Jeeping; family time
Favorite movie: Taken
Last book I read: Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
If I could live anywhere: Someplace warm and close to family
Last concert I saw: Little Feat
Best place I’ve ever been: Hawaii
Personal hero: My mom & dad

Treatment Coordinators

Denise, Alicia, and Patty are our treatment coordinators, and they have several years experience as orthodontic assistants. They assist Dr. Klein and Dr. Cook in obtaining important diagnostic information at the initial examination. They will walk you through each step of the enrollment process while you become part of our practice. Because they are familiar with all aspects of the office, both clinical and administrative, they can clarify any orthodontic concerns you have and also help with finding the best payment option for your individual situation. They are committed to making you feel comfortable as you become familiar with our office.

Alicia, Treatment Coordinator

Favorite way to spend free time: With my kids and family
Favorite movie: Twilight Saga Movies
Last book I read: The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
Best song ever: “All Summer Long” by Kid Rock
If I could live anywhere: A tropical island
Last concert I saw: Brooks & Dunn
Best place I’ve ever been: San Diego
Favorite celebrity smile: Matthew McConaughey
Personal hero: My grandma Lela

Denise, Treatment Coordinator & Practice Manager

Favorite way to spend free time: Gardening, reading, spending time with family
Favorite movie: Next Three Days
Last book I read: Gone for Good by Harlan Coben
Best song ever: “Colour My World” by Chicago
If I could live anywhere: It would be warm & on a lake
Best place I’ve ever been: San Diego
Favorite celebrity smile: Ryan Reynolds
Talents: Creative flair and designing on a dime!

Patty, Treatment Coordinator

Favorite way to spend free time: Playing guitar, riding 4-wheelers, and reading
Favorite movie: Splendor in the Grass
Last book I read: Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
Best song ever: “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles
If I could live anywhere: Colorado
Favorite celebrity smile: Young Robert Redford
Personal hero: Jesus
Talents: Playing guitar, drums, piano

Clinic Coordinators

Mandy, Lacey and Diana are our clinic coordinators. They are Specialized Orthodontic Assistants that not only assist the doctors, but also make sure everything runs smoothly on the clinic floor.

Mandy, Clinic Coordinator & Certified Orthodontic Assistant

Favorite way to spend free time: Hanging out with family & friends
Favorite movie: Grease
Best song ever: “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper
If I could live anywhere: Somewhere it’s warm all year
Last concert I saw: Lynyrd Skynyrd
Best place I’ve ever been: Jamaica
Favorite celebrity smile: Matthew McConaughey
Personal hero: My mom
Talents: Sports

Lacey, Clinic Coordinator & Certified Orthodontic Assistant

Favorite way to spend free time: Hanging out with family and friends
Favorite Movie: The Notebook
Last Book I Read: Water for Elephants by Sara Groen
Best Song Ever: “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi
If I could live anywhere: Somewhere warm and sunny all year
Last concert I saw: Lynyrd Skynyrd
Best Place I’ve Ever Been: Cancun
Favorite Celebrity Smile: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Personal Hero: My mom

Diana, Clinic Coordinator & Certified Orthodontic Assistant

Favorite way to spend free time: With family and friends
Last Book I Read: Become a Better You by Joel Osteen
If I could live anywhere: It would be near family and friends
Best Place I’ve Ever Been: San Diego
Favorite Celebrity Smile: Julia Roberts
Personal Hero: My mom and my aunt Erma
Talents: Singing

Clinical Team

Our clinical assistants have over 30 years of combined clinical experience. They are highly skilled in performing many detailed and technical procedures to aid the doctors in moving your teeth into proper alignment. They pride themselves in their knowledge of orthodontics and their skills to speed your treatment along. They will help motivate you to achieve your goal of a beautiful smile.

Holly, Certified Orthodontic Assistant

Favorite way to spend free time: Watching movies
Favorite movie: Knight & Day
Last book I read: The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
If I could live anywhere: Greece
Last concert I saw: Jason Aldean
Best place I’ve ever been: Texas
Personal Hero: My Grandma
Talents: Eating

Janalynn, Clinical Assistant

Favorite way to spend free time: Anything outside; on the lake, fishing, sun-bathing
Favorite movie: A Walk to Remember
Last book I read: Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
Best song ever: “Angel Eyes” by the Jeff Healey Band
If I could live anywhere: It would be in a log cabin
Last concert I saw: Carrie Underwood & Billy Currington
Best place I’ve ever been: In the Miss Illinois USA Pageant
Favorite celebrity smile: Jessica Alba

Kristi Lynn, Clinical Assistant

Favorite way to spend free time: Hanging out with family and friends
Favorite Movie: The Notebook
Last Book I Read: Seven Deadly Sins
Best Song Ever: “Stand by Me” by The Temptations
If I could live anywhere: Italy or Greece
Last concert I saw: Jason Aldean
Best Place I’ve Ever Been: Ruby Falls
Favorite Celebrity Smile: Paul Walker
Personal Hero: My 2 sisters
Talents: Reenacting scenes from funny movies

Michelle H., Clinical Assistant

Favorite way to spend free time: Hunting, fishing, anything outside
Favorite movie: The Goonies
Last book I read: Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
Best song ever: “Wagon Wheel” by Old Crow Medicine Show
If I could live anywhere: Good ole Hamilton County
Last concert I saw: Nickelback
Best place I’ve ever been: Rocky Mountains
Favorite celebrity smile: Taylor Lautner
Personal Hero: My Grandma Phelps

Lab Coordinator

Christy, our Lab Tech, received her degree in Dental Laboratory Technology from SIU and has been with Klein & Cook Orthodontics since 1995. She makes most of our patients' retainers as well as many of the other dental appliances. Christy is also responsible for collecting important diagnostic records, such as photos, X-rays, and models, that will aid the doctors in developing your treatment plan.