Our Perio Team
ADMINISTRATIVE
Tarah
Office Manager
Tarah joined Spokane Periodontics in 2017 and was thrilled to become part of such an exceptional team. After graduating from dental assisting school in 2009, she began her career in periodontics as a surgical assistant before transitioning into the front office. Her experience in both clinical and administrative roles gives her a unique perspective and a well-rounded understanding of the patient experience.
Tarah has a passion for patient education and a genuine desire to serve others. Whether she is helping patients understand their treatment, supporting the clinical team, or assisting at the front desk, her goal is to ensure every patient feels comfortable, informed, and well cared for. On any given day at Spokane Periodontics, you may find Tarah wherever she is needed most, always ready to support both patients and her team.
Outside the office, Tarah enjoys everything the Pacific Northwest has to offer, especially spending time outdoors with her family. Much of her free time is spent cheering on her two daughters, who play competitive softball and travel throughout the West for tournaments. When she’s not at the ballfield, Tarah enjoys spending quality time with her husband, daughters, and extended family.
Kylee R
Patient and Front Office Coordinator
Bio Coming Soon
Merredith
Insurance and Treatment Professional
Merredith joined Spokane Periodontics in 2017 and is proud to be part of a team dedicated to providing exceptional patient care. Her passion for caring for others began shortly after high school, when she worked as a nursing assistant. She later transitioned into dentistry, graduating from dental assisting school in 2011. This career change allowed her to balance raising a family while continuing to fulfill her passion for being a patient advocate.
With a strong commitment to continuing education and professional growth, Merredith returned to Spokane Community College in 2015 and completed the Expanded Functions Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) program. After spending a brief time in general dentistry, she discovered that periodontics was where she truly belonged. Nearly a decade later, she is proud to call Spokane Periodontics home and values the opportunity to help patients feel comfortable, informed, and well cared for throughout their treatment.
Outside the office, Merredith enjoys spending time with her children and her first grandchild while taking advantage of everything Spokane and the surrounding area have to offer. She can often be found exploring local farmers markets and bookstores, trying new restaurants, tending to her community garden plot, or creating something delicious in the kitchen. Merredith is always looking for new experiences and opportunities to enjoy life to the fullest.
Michelle
Insurance and Patient Professional
CLINICAL
Jennifer
Hygienist
After earning her dental hygiene degree from Clark College in Vancouver, Washington, in 2003, Jennifer moved to Spokane and began her career in periodontics. More than 20 years later, her passion for periodontal care and helping patients achieve better oral health continues to grow.
Jennifer began working with Dr. Shellerud in 2006 and remained with the practice through its transition to Dr. Johnson and Spokane Periodontics. Her interest in dentistry began at a young age, inspired by a wonderful pediatric dentist and her own experiences with a wide range of dental procedures and surgeries. These experiences have given Jennifer a personal understanding of what it feels like to be a patient and have shaped the compassionate approach she brings to patient care.
Jennifer’s goal is to build lasting relationships with her patients while helping them feel comfortable, informed, and confident in their providers and treatment options. With more than two decades of experience in periodontics, she values the opportunity to guide patients through their care and help make each experience as positive and comfortable as possible.
Jennifer married her husband in 2004, and they welcomed their son, Gavin, in 2005. Outside the office, she enjoys CrossFit, outdoor activities, spending time with family, lake days, gardening, cooking, wine tasting, and hopes to one day travel the world.
Irina
Hygienist
Morgan
Hygienist
Morgan has been practicing dental hygiene for more than a decade. She graduated with honors from Eastern Washington University in 2015 and later earned her master’s degree, where she focused her research on the role of multidisciplinary care in periodontal disease, with a particular interest in the connection between periodontal health and stroke risk.
In addition to caring for patients in our office, Morgan teaches dental students part-time, sharing her expertise in periodontics, local anesthesia, dental anatomy, and public health. While she enjoys each of her professional roles, she considers being a mom to her daughter, Sutton, her most important and rewarding role.
Outside of work, Morgan enjoys what she affectionately calls “crafting,” which often involves home renovations through use of power tools. She and her family also spend time at their lake house on Lake Roosevelt and love traveling throughout Europe. Morgan and her husband, Kyle, have known each other since high school but didn’t begin dating until she agreed to be the UW hockey coach for a night. Together, they have two dogs and, as you might expect, plenty of stories to tell.
Morgan’s professional goal is simple: to provide exceptional care while helping every patient feel comfortable, heard, and at ease. She believes that creating a welcoming experience is just as important as delivering excellent clinical care.
Taisia Surgical Assistant
Valentina
Surgical Assistant
Evelina
Surgical Assistant
Evelina is a Surgical Dental Assistant at Spokane Periodontics who is dedicated to providing exceptional patient care. She enjoys working alongside a skilled and compassionate dental team and takes pride in helping patients feel comfortable, supported, and cared for throughout their procedures.
Evelina values the opportunity to build connections with patients and strives to create a positive experience from the moment they arrive through the completion of their treatment.
Outside the office, Evelina enjoys spending quality time with her family and making time for the people and activities she loves most.