Meet Our Team—Your Dental
Care Experts
Here we are—your dedicated team of dental care providers! Together, we not only offer you highly skilled expertise, but also a whole lot of heartfelt care. No matter the reason for your visit, we are dedicated to providing you with a positive experience and a healthy outcome. We're a modern practice, proudly providing you with the highest quality of dental care possible, right here in Central Minnesota.
Dr. Jason Spychala
Dr. Jason Spychala—better known as simply Dr. Jason—graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 2007 and worked for two years as an associate before purchasing the dental practice in Albany. He then started Albany Family Dentistry in 2009.
Dr. Jason's favorite part of being a dentist is being able to interact with people. Whether that means the team and the daily discussions around enhancing their careers, or providing new information and treatment options to patients. he enjoys providing an enlightening experience for those he cares for.
"I chose dentistry because I love working with my hands, enjoy being creative, and I find joy in helping people. Dentistry allows for all this and more. As I continue to learn, innovate, and incorporate my skills into my profession, I'm continuously reminded of my passion for my job."
Outside of work, Dr. Jason loves including his kids in daily life discussions on healthy lifestyles. He and his wife incorporate healthy food into their family camping trips, take their kids on biking adventures, raise animals on their family hobby farm, work together on creative family projects like lego building and game nights. He and his family also run Harvest on the Hill, which provides sustainable farm-to-table produce locally and seeks to teach people about the importance of knowing where their food comes from.
Dr. Kara Engelbrektson
Dr. Kara Engelbrektson graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 2010, she then completed a General Practice Residency at Hennepin County Medical Center in 2011 and joined Albany Family Dentistry in the spring of 2022.
She comes from a family of medical providers and found her passion for dentistry during college when she was working alongside her father, a CRNA, at an oral surgery office for a few summers. Dr. Kara enjoys working with patients to address their concerns and improve oral health.
“I enjoy collaborating with everyone I meet to customize a plan to address their concerns and improve oral health. It’s a privilege to make an impact and observe the transformations.”
Outside of work, Dr. Kara enjoys getting outside to go boating, wake surfing, snowmobiling, and riding UTVs. She loves adventuring with her mini–Australian Shepard and Affenpinscher, raising chickens, and making memories with her husband and two young daughters.
Cathy Lyon, LDA
Dental Assistant/Office Personnel
Cathy has been involved with dentistry for 42 years and counting! She received a Dental Assisting degree from St. Cloud Technical College, and a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Cloud State University. She has been with Albany Family Dentistry since 2009. Her hobbies include traveling, gardening, and spending time with family & friends. Favorite part of her job: The people!
“I enjoy helping people achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. Dentistry is a dynamic profession with new and innovative technology that keeps me excited to share with patents and their families.”
Peg Tenney
Office Personnel
Peg joined the team at Albany Family Dentistry in 2019. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, preferably around a bonfire with outdoor activities. Favorite part of her job: Meeting new patients & seeing people she hasn't seen in a very long time.
"Beautiful teeth and smiles have always been important to me. The opportunity to work at this awesome clinic came at a perfect time in my life."
Shirley Zenzen, LDA
Dental Assistant
Shirley has be part of the Albany Family Dentistry team since 2009 and a dental assistant since 1975. She has an assisting degree from Brainerd Technical College. Spending time with family, gardening, traveling, painting, show-shoeing, and kayaking at the cabin are some of her favorite things. Favorite part of her job: Working with her co-workers & giving the best dental care.
"One of my main goals as dental assistant is to give children and adults a calm and comfortable experience in the dental office."
Teresa Dickhoff, RDH
Hygienist
Teresa graduated from RCTC in Rochester, MN in 2011 and has been with Albany Family Dentistry for 8 years. Teresa loves spending time with her three kids, visiting the lake, and enjoying the outdoors. Favorite part of the job: Working closely and getting to know patients, and helping them maintain a healthy smile.
"I chose dentistry because I always had positive dental experiences growing up and wanted to give patients the same experience"
Emily Nietfeld, RDH
Hygienist
Emily has been practicing dentistry since 2011, graduating as a dental assistant from Northwest Technical and Community College in Bemidji before receiving her Dental Hygienist degree in 2016 from St. Cloud Technical and Community College. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, and camping and fishing. Favorite part of her job: Making patients feel comfortable during their appointments and getting to know them.
"I chose dentistry to be able to educate and help people feel good about their oral health, because it can affect their whole body."
Brenda VanBeck, LDA, REF
Dental Assistant
Brenda has been a Dental Assistant since 1989 and part of the Albany Family Dentistry team since 2009. She received her Restorative Functions degree from the U of M in 2005. Brenda loves spending time with her kids and husband, relaxing on the lake with family & friends, helping others in need, and enjoying the simple things in life. Favorite part of her job: Educating my patients and making sure they have the absolute best care possible.
"I chose dentistry because I love to help others. Dentistry is always evolving, and I love to learn new things and improve my skills."
Charlene Ohmann, RDH
Hygienist
Charlene has been practicing dentistry for 23 years, with 18 of them being here at Albany Family Dentistry in her home town. She takes pride in caring for people and educating patients about their oral health. Charlene enjoys being outdoors, walking and biking, and spending time with family and friends. Favorite part of her job: The Patients.
"I enjoy getting to know my patients and their families right here in my home town."
Kaitlyn Wensman,
LDA
Dental Assistant
Kaitlyn has been in school for the past two years practicing dentistry and has been practicing in the field for the past few months. She chose dentistry because she always found it very interesting and she loves interacting with patients. Favorite part of the job: Interacting with patients and making them feel good.
"I believe everyone is a little bit more confident with a beautiful smile."
Alyssa Rodenwald,
LDA
Dental Assistant
Alyssa has been practicing dentistry for 20 years. She chose dentistry because there is such a wide variety of services in the dental world and she thought it would make a great, always interesting career. Favorite part of her job: The wide variety of procedures that I get to be a part of.
"I’m learning new things every day. Dr Jason takes pride in being up-to-date on technology and it’s so fun to be a part of."
Julie Kierzek
Office Personnel
Julie is new to the dentistry world, and she feels like the profession chose her! When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren, as well as reading, gardening, and cooking/baking. Favorite part of her job: Ensuring that each patient's visit is an enjoyable one.
"I enjoy making patients feel at home."
Lindsey Wolf
Hygienist
Lindsey recently graduated from Lake Superior College in Duluth. She chose this career path so she can help her patients achieve a confident and healthy smile. Lindsey loves camping, fishing, and spending time with her growing family. She has recently been busy with her family's newest addition, Oakley, a golden retriever puppy, as well as her recent marriage.
"I enjoy building relationships with my patients and having them leave with a healthy smile."
Marissa Throener
Hygienist
Marissa is a graduate of St. Cloud Technical and Community College, where she chose to go into dental hygiene in order to help people achieve healthy, happy smiles. She loves getting to know patients while providing care for their oral and overall health. Outside of work, Marissa enjoys playing music on a variety of instruments, spending time with family and friends, and raising golden retrievers.
“I want to help people improve their overall health, which is directly related to oral health.”
Lindy VanderEyk
Hygienist
Lindy has been practicing dentistry for more than 20 years, and knew she wanted to be a hygienist as a kid. She loves getting to know patients and working on treatment plans with them. When not at the clinic, Lindy enjoys hanging out with friends and family, including her three children. Summer is her favorite season, where she enjoys cabin time, tending to her flower gardens, and visiting Duluth.
“I’ve always loved going to the dentist, and as a kid I knew I wanted to be a hygienist."