Meet Your Friendly Dental Team – Wilmington, IL

Brook Howard, Hygienist

Brook has been a hygienist for 11 years and joined Grand Dental - Wilmington three years ago. After gaining experience in a wide variety of dental settings, she can honestly say “Grand tops them all. I love being a hygienist at Grand Dental - Wilmington because I am provided with every resource available to give my patient the best possible treatment I can give. Grand Dental - Wilmington uses the newest technology to diagnose, educate, and treat patients. I am given ample time to listen to my patients and build relationships, so they don't feel like just a number.”

In true Route 66 fashion, Wilmington native, Brook and her family love to road trip across the U.S.A. picking a new destination for each outing. Brook enjoys hiking, yoga and reading non-fiction books. She quenches her taste for adventure by enjoying Chicago’s expansive ethnic dining scene. “I love trying new foods. If I wasn’t a hygienist, I would be a travelling food critic!”

Susie Pogliano, Hygienist

Susie joined our dental office in 2018 and brings 28 years of experience to Grand Dental - Wilmington. A proud Wilmington native, she loves working in her hometown and is thrilled to be part of such an excellent team. On top of her hygiene training, she is also certified in laser therapy, nitrous oxide sedation, and local anesthetic.

Susie is married to her high school sweetheart, Ed, and they have three sons, two dogs, and one cat. In the summer, her family enjoys cooking out and spending time in the pool. When it’s cold outside, she says “there is nothing better than binge watching Netflix.” She also likes hanging out with her co-workers, who she calls her “Grand family.”

Lexi Walinski, Hygienist

Lexi was born and raised right here in Wilmington, Illinois! Before graduating from Parkland College, she served our patients as a dental assistant. Now that she has her dental hygiene license, she loves helping patients achieve the happy, healthy, and sparkly smile they deserve. To better serve patients in our Wilmington community, she is certified in laser therapy, local anesthesia, CPR/AED, and nitrous oxide sedation. Away from the office, one of Lexi’s favorite things to do is watch her brother play baseball at Millikin University. She also likes boating on the Kankakee River with friends, traveling the world, and going on a Jeep run in her Rubicon. Here is something you may not know about her: she has a serious obsession with Starbucks tumblers and Rae Dunn blankets!

Dana Koerner, Team Lead

While new to Grand Dental – Wilmington, Dana has 27 years’ experience in dentistry. As Team Lead, she works with her talented staff to create the best patient experience possible. She says that the best thing about her job is knowing that she can make a meaningful difference in our patients’ lives every day. Always striving to improve herself, Dana has multiple certifications and takes continuing education courses each year.

Outside of work, Dana enjoys gardening, relaxing outdoors, and hanging out with her family and pets.

Dee, Team Lead

An Illinois native, Dee has an impressive 25+ years of experience in the world of dentistry. Since joining our team, she has thoroughly enjoyed meeting people in the community, building relationships with patients, and creating a fun and comfortable environment for their treatment. These are just a few of the many aspects of her day that make her job so rewarding!

Dee has a son and daughter (who are twins!), a daughter-in-law, and a grandson. When she isn’t spending time with family, she enjoys watching movies, visiting libraries, and hiking!