Meet The Staff

Frankie Drum
Office Manager / Surgical Assistant

Frankie is our most tenured employee, having worked for Gaston Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery since 1995. Frankie’s meticulous attention to detail and overwhelming familiarity with Oral & Maxillofacial procedures have helped to ensure patient safety and success for more than three decades. Additionally, she has achieved certification through the Dental Anesthesia Assistant Certification Examination (DAANCE). She and her husband, Keith, have one son and one lovely grandson. She and Keith enjoy traveling, especially on a cruise ship!

Dawn Atkinson
Front Office Administrator

Dawn began her dental career at Gaston OMS in 2005. She is great at making sure all patients have the information they need and are comfortable about their upcoming appointment. Whether she is scheduling appointments for the office or the hospital, Dawn truly enjoys helping patients. She is also tasked with another very important job; brewing the day’s first pot of coffee. When not at work, Dawn enjoys spending time with her family, shopping, and decorating her home. She and her husband, Paul, enjoy traveling and of course, rooting on their favorite sports teams; The Carolina Tarheels and the Carolina Panthers!

Emily Miller
Surgical Assistant

Emily joined our practice in 2012 as a clinical assistant. She knew at an early age she wanted to be in the dental field. She attended Myers Park School of Dental Assisting to obtain her dental assisting certification. Outside of the office, Emily enjoys spending time with her husband, Alex, their handsome son, Brooks and their dog, Rylie. She loves to laugh and cheer on her favorite team, the Duke Blue Devils!

Ashley Saffel
Surgical Assistant

Ashley began her career with Gaston OMS in 2018 and has become a versatile and valued member of the team, contributing to both the administrative and clinical sides of the practice. She supports both Gaston OMS and Cleveland OMS and currently serves as the Radiology Officer for Cleveland OMS, helping oversee imaging standards and patient safety. Her passion for dentistry led her to earn her DA1 degree from Lake Norman Dental Assisting School. Originally from Forest City, NC, Ashley loves spending time with her husband, Nick, and their two sons, Joey and Elias, while caring for the animals on their mini farm. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time at the lake.

Caroline Shepard
Front Office Administrator

Caroline was raised in Bessemer City, North Carolina, and is a graduate of Tabernacle Christian Academy in Dallas, North Carolina. She went on to earn an Associate of General Education degree from Gaston College and is also a licensed cosmetologist.

Caroline has been working in the dental field since 2019 and joined Gaston OMS in November 2021. She is passionate about patient care and takes pride in helping individuals feel at ease throughout their visit, ensuring a comfortable and positive experience.

Outside of work, Caroline enjoys spending time outdoors and cherishing moments with her family. She is married to her high school sweetheart, and together they have a daughter.

Lisa Prather
Front Office Administrator & Recovery Room Assistant

Lisa has many years of dental experience. She began working in the field of dentistry in May 2008. She came to work at Gaston OMS in February 2022. She is quite versatile in oral surgery, working everywhere from front office administrator to clinical recovery assistant. She and her husband, Jamie, a retired police officer, have been married since 2005. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, especially her niece and nephews. She also enjoys baking goodies and sharing them with her co-workers. She is an avid Major League Baseball fan, and her favorite teams are the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago Cubs. Lisa loves helping patients and making their visit as pleasant as possible!

Candace Poole
Surgical Assistant

Candace began working with us in January 2022, however she has been working in the dental field since 2012 and knew right away Oral Surgery was ment for her . She graduated from Kaplan College with a Dental Assisting (DA2) certificate and most recently prepared for and passed her Dental Assistant National Certification Examination (DAANCE). She has also taken on the OSHA Officer role in our Shelby office. She is originally from Kings Mountain, NC and graduated from Kings Mountain High School. Her favorite aspect of oral surgery is helping patients improve their smiles, their self-confidence and ultimately their overall health. Candace is married to her husband, Cody and has 2 beautiful children, Keaten and Kallie. She loves Duke basketball, the Dallas Cowboys and U.S women’s soccer. When not working Candace loves being on a cruise or on the beach.

Paige Longo
Surgical Assistant

Paige is originally from Michigan but made the move down South about ten years ago. She’s always loved helping others, which is what inspired her career in dentistry. When she’s not at work, you can usually find her spending time with her family, baking something sweet, or working on a new crochet project.

Allie Kay Homesley
Surgical Assistant

Allie Kay began working with us in May 2023. She was born and raised in Cherryville, NC where she graduated from Cherryville High School. She was interested in the dental field at a very young age and started working in general dentistry at the age of 18. She received her dental assisting certificate from Lake Norman Dental Assisting School. This led her in the direction of becoming a Surgical Dental Assistant. When Allie Kay is not at work, she enjoys all things outdoors and spending time with her family, friends, and fur babies. Her overall goal is to make the patients feel confident and comfortable while they are in our office.

Samantha Torres
Surgical Assistant

After graduating from dental assisting school in March 2025, I began my career with a passion for helping others and creating a comfortable experience for every patient. I truly enjoy being part of a team that focuses on care and compassion. When I’m not in the office, I love spending time with her family, hiking, and traveling to new destinations.

Giselle Alberto
Front Office Administrator

Giselle was born and raised in Springfield, Virginia. She moved to North Carolina in November 2024. She’s been in the dental field since 2020 and joined Gaston OMS in March 2025. She is dedicated to providing a welcoming space where patients feel comfortable, valued, and well cared for. Outside of the office, she loves spending time outdoors with her fur babies, Benji, Chase and Arthur. She also loves traveling and exploring new cuisines with her family and friends.

Ava Gardner
Surgical Assistant

Ava joined our practice in May 2025 as a Clinical Assistant. She became interested in the dental field after graduating from high school and went on to earn her Dental Assisting Certificate from the Dental Assisting Preparatory Academy in Charlotte. Outside of the office, Ava enjoys spending time with her family—her husband, Michael, their three sweet children, Noah, Olivia, and Owen—and their two dogs, Zeke and Copper.

Emilia Jimenez
Surgical Assistant

Emily is a surgical assistant at Gaston OMS, where she plays a vital role in supporting surgeons and ensuring exceptional patient care. She was born and raised in Denver, NC where she graduated from East Lincoln High school. She then attended Lakeside Dental Assisting School, receiving her certificate in chairside assisting and operating X-ray imaging. She is passionate about maintaining the highest standards of surgical safety and teamwork. Emily takes pride in anticipating the needs of the surgical team and helping create a calm, efficient environment that contributes to successful outcomes. Outside of the operating room, Emily enjoys playing the violin, watching movies with her cat, and supporting local vendors.

Allison Morgan
Marketing Coordinator

Allison was born and raised in Winchester, Virginia, and is a proud graduate of Virginia Tech, where she developed her passion for communication and creativity. A devoted Hokie fan, she brings enthusiasm and a strong sense of teamwork to everything she does.
Allison began her career in the dental field in 2023 and now serves as the Marketing Coordinator for Gaston & Cleveland Oral and Facial Surgery. She is passionate about representing the practice and sharing its commitment to exceptional patient care throughout the community.
Outside of work, Allison enjoys spending time with her family and dog, exploring new places, and making memories with loved ones.

Annie Lewis
Front Office Administrator

Annie joined Gaston OMS October of 2025 but has had a passion surrounding the dental field since 2018 when she got her start as a Pediatric Dental Assistant. She has a heart to ensure our patients and our team spirits are lifted and they are confident in themselves and our practice. She is a mother to her little boy Axel James and says that he is her purpose and what encourages her to love others well.