Meet Our Dental Team – Lincoln, NE
Get to Know Our Wonderful Team
Many of our team members have decades of dental experience and have been a part of our dental office for a very long time, meaning that whenever you come to see us, you are guaranteed to be well taken care of from check-in to checkout! Our staff will help you feel right at home and ensure your appointments are consistently comfortable, productive, and efficient so you’ll always have a reason to smile as you leave. Read on below to get to know some of the friendly faces you’ll meet here at Pioneer Greens Dentistry!
Julie, Dental Hygienist
Julie has been in the dental profession for almost 40 years and has a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She consistently attends continuing education courses in order to expand her skill set. Her favorite part about coming to work every day is helping the dentists provide high-quality dentistry in a comfortable atmosphere that patients love.
When not at work, Julie likes to spend time with her husband, Ken, garden, cook, and hang out with her seven grandchildren.
Emily, Dental Hygienist
Emily strives to form strong relationships with each of her patients to better serve their dental needs, and she has been doing so for almost a decade. She attended UNL and then UNMC for dental hygiene, and she now has certifications in dental X-rays, local anesthesia, and nitrous oxide sedation.
A Lincoln native who has lived here all of her life, Emily and her husband, Drew, have two children along with two dogs. Together, they love to travel, try new recipes, and visit the zoo.
Shaylie, Dental Hygienist
Shaylie likes to think of herself as an oral hygiene coach, in that she helps people acquire the knowledge and techniques they need to take great care of their smiles between appointments. She is a graduate of the UNMC College of Dentistry and has a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene.
Shaylie has two dogs (an Australian Shepard/ cattle dog mix and a chocolate lab mix), and she likes to stay active by running, weightlifting, and walking the dogs. On the weekends, she also enjoys spending time with friends and family as well as hanging out by the lake/pool when the weather is nice.
Kylee, Dental Assistant
Born and raised in Eagle, NE, Kylee studied at Midwest Dental Assisting School to earn her certification. With about a decade of experience in the world of dentistry, she enjoys having a variety of things to do at the office, such as chairside assisting, working in the in-house dental lab, constructing custom dental appliances, helping with complex treatment planning, and answering phones and/or scheduling. She’s also trained in 3D printing and nightguards and is certified in coronal polishing and radiation safety.
Away from the office, Kylee loves spending time with her beloved nephew and her two puppies, Piper and Teddy. Whenever she gets the chance, she enjoys hobbies like reading, golfing, and hanging out with loved ones. Fun fact: her mom also works at a dental office in Lincoln!
Emily, Dental Assistant
Originating from Horton, KS, Emily finds it extremely fulfilling to help patients love their smiles again. Not only is she a joy around the office, but she’s also an incredible asset to the team. You’ll typically find her engaging with our patients as well as helping Dr. Shirk during procedures. She studied at Southeast Community College, graduated with her certification in dental assisting, and has been enjoying every minute of her work ever since.
Emily grew up in a big family with three brothers and four sisters, so she knows what it’s like to be part of a caring and driven team. Other than treating smiles, she loves attending concerts, cooking, online shopping, and hanging out with friends and family. One fun fact about her: she’s currently teaching herself how to play the guitar!
Ashley, Office Manager
Ashley joined our team in 2024 and has been a part of the dental world for over 15 years. A graduate of Kaplan University, she spent over a decade as an assistant and clinical coordinator in pediatric practices before making the jump to general dentistry. As part of Pioneer Greens Dentistry, she says that she loves the staff and dentist she gets to work alongside each day!
Originally from Clay Center, Ashley is married to Marcus, and together, they have two sons and a daughter. Their family is completed by their favorite fur baby, Meila Grace. When she isn’t spending time with loved ones, she likes to watch all types of sports (especially volleyball) and shop for shoes.
Holly, Scheduling Coordinator
Originally from Kalispell, MT, Holly has over half a decade of experience in the dental field and counting. You can typically find her at the office helping patients schedule their appointments while also promoting a comfortable and positive environment for them. The best thing about her job is being able to connect with everyone who walks through our doors.
Whenever she isn’t at the office coordinating patient appointments, Holly is spending time with her husband and their two beautiful daughters. She also enjoys ATVing, camping, and traveling when she gets the opportunity to. One of her favorite things is to visit new places to explore.
Rachel, Office Assistant/Dental Assistant
Rachel earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and she loves meeting new people and getting to know them through our office. She is a medical Speech-Language Pathologist and has spent the majority of her career treating patients with dysphagia (swallowing disorders) after strokes, traumatic brain injury, or complex cardiopulmonary illnesses.
While in graduate school, Rachel met (and eventually married) our own Dr. Justin Shirk! Today, they have a young daughter and son as well as a German Shorthair. Their kids love to make as many messes as possible (typically right after she cleans of course), so life at home is quite busy. When she can, she likes to crochet, play golf, and check out local breweries and wineries.