Our Staff
We want to make all our patients feel right at home! Our treatment team has years of experience providing patients the highest level of care while always maintaining a fun, approachable environment. Our staff stays abreast of the latest in technological advances by regularly attending continuing education courses and seminars, so you know you’re benefiting from state of the art orthodontic care.
Joni Collier
What she does at work: Joni is Nelson Orthodontics’ Scheduling and Technology Coordinator. She has recently joined our team. Before she joined Nelson Orthodontics, she worked for a Vacation Ownership Company and was the Office Administrator for ten years. She believes in great customer service and greeting all our patients with a smile.
What she does outside of work: Joni lives in Kirkland, WA. She and her boyfriend enjoy the outdoors, painting, photography and spending time with their family.
Kaori Jedlicka
What she does at work: Kaori began working at Nelson Orthodontics in 1994 as an Orthodontic Assistant and is now the Clinical Coordinator. She is certified by the Academy of Orthodontic Assisting.
What she does outside of work: A native of Japan, Kaori enjoys making traditional Japanese tea and wearing kimono dresses. She also likes hiking, badminton, gardening, reading, and watching movies.
Kelly Uhrich
What she does at work: Kelly is an Orthodontic Assistant. Prior to joining Nelson Orthodontics she worked as a Dental Assistant. She is certified by the Academy of Orthodontic Assisting.
What she does outside of work: She loves spending time with her husband and two nieces, working out, boating, and four-wheeling.
Kristy Christianson
What she does at work: Kristy is a product of the Nelson Orthodontics legacy as Dr. James Nelson was her orthodontist. Even in Junior High, she loved orthodontics and proudly wore her headgear to school. Now she brings that passion to the team as a Treatment Coordinator.
What she does outside of work: With two young children, Kristy doesn’t have a lot of free time, but when she does, she likes to vacation with her family and to play soccer on her co-ed team.
Lanis Lambert
What she does at work: Lanis is an Orthodontic Assistant and worked as a Dental Assistant before joining Nelson Orthodontics. She is certified by the Academy of Orthodontic Assisting.
What she does outside of work: She spends time with her friends and family, walking her dog as well as enjoying the great outdoors by hiking, snowmobiling, inner tubing, wake boarding and kite flying.
Laurie Shorten
What she does at work: Laurie is a Treatment Coordinator which means she guides patients through the initial steps of orthodontic treatment.
What she does outside of work: There is rarely a dull moment outside of work for Laurie. She and her husband have three children and one grandchild. She teaches piano, plays drums and keyboards in a band, water skies, snow skies, works out, gardens, reads, bakes cookies, goes to movies, and, most importantly, spends time with her family.
Melissa Gorey
What she does at work: Melissa is the Financial Coordinator and will assist you with insurance matters.
What she does outside of work: Melissa has spent her whole life in the Northwest, except for four years when she studied and played tennis at the University of Redlands. She keeps busy playing with her German Shepard and Shih Tzu, traveling, playing cribbage, and running around tennis courts and golf courses all over Washington.
Reiko McKenna
What she does at work: Reiko is a Lab Technician and keeps busy making retainers and other orthodontic appliances.
What she does outside of work: Growing up in Japan, Reiko always dreamed of living in America. Now her dream is a reality! In her downtime, Reiko reads and plans the menu for her Friday dinner parties, which occur weekly.
Traci Thompson
What she does at work: Traci is the records technician which means she takes digital x-rays and photographs of your mouth. She is also an orthodontic assistant and is certified by the academy of Orthodontic Assisting.
What she does outside of work: In her free time, Traci enjoys watching live music, seeking out new restaurants and spending time with her friends. She also likes to go boating during the summer and travel as much as possible. Traci hopes to someday travel all over the world.