Our Team
Dentists
Aaron Bushong, DDS
Dr. Aaron Bushong completed his dental education at Marquette University, where he graduated with honors and received recognition for excellence in clinical restorative dentistry. Since graduating, Dr. Bushong has remained committed to providing the highest level of care and keeping up with the latest in dental technology. As a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, he regularly attends continuing education courses focusing primarily on cosmetic dentistry, full mouth reconstruction, CAD/CAM (CEREC) technology, and implantology, as well as endodontics, oral surgery, and Invisalign®/short-term orthodontics.
Stephanie Walters, DDS
Dr. Stephanie Walters was born and raised in northern Wisconsin and has been passionate about healthcare and helping others from an early age. She earned her Biology degree from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire in 2022, graduating as a member of the University Honors Program, before going on to receive her D.D.S. from Creighton University School of Dentistry in 2026, where she also served as class vice president.
Stephanie was drawn to dentistry for its unique blend of science, hands-on problem-solving, and the opportunity to make a genuine difference in people’s lives. She believes in conservative, comprehensive, patient-centered care — taking the time to communicate clearly so that every patient feels informed, comfortable, and confident throughout their visit. For Stephanie, dentistry is about more than teeth; it’s about building meaningful relationships and supporting each patient’s overall health and well-being.
Maddie Kasparek, DDS
Dr. Maddie Kasparek was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After graduating from Linn-Mar High School, she went on to graduate with high distinction from the University of Iowa with a BS in Human Physiology, a Chemistry minor, and an Entrepreneurial Management Certificate. She then graduated with her DDS from the University of Iowa, in the process earning the IADR Nutrition Research Group Award at the National IADR Research Conference. From her earliest memories, Dr. Maddie always wanted to be a dentist: She fondly remembers her parents giving her a Play-Doh dentist set when she was very young. What cemented her desire to enter dentistry was the ability to have a positive impact on patients, with an individualized and personable approach.
Administration
Jackie – Operations Manager
Jackie has been with our team since October 2014. She works hard to help her patients, and loves being involved with delivering excellent care and being part of the Wausau, Wisconsin, community. Jackie takes pride in where she works and the care we give our patients, and strives to make each experience enjoyable, including making our patients feel like friends.
Jackie has two sons, Hayden and Evan. She enjoys spending time with her children, being outdoors, traveling, and experiencing new places.
Tammy – Operations Manager of Accounts & Insurance
Tammy is a native of Elderon and has been practicing hygiene since graduating from the NTC Dental Hygiene Program in 1996. Her love of dental hygiene fuels her desire to provide an important service to our patients. She enjoys the opportunity to help our patients understand why complete oral care is so beneficial to their overall health. Tammy recently stepped into an administrative role overseeing all of insurance of accounts receivable.
In her spare time, if there is such a thing, Tammy spends time trying to keep up with her husband Duane and their three boys, Braxton, Stetson, and Pierson. She also loves photography and capturing life’s moments.
Customer Service
Kimberly – Administrative & Dental Assistant
Kimberly joined our team in the beginning of 2018, bringing 13 years of dental assisting experience to our office. Over the past few years, she had taken on more administrative responsibilities, which has helped our team and our patients a great deal. She enjoys the variety each day brings as she helps our patients, and she truly appreciates the opportunity to help give our patients their smiles back. Kim accomplishes this focusing her time and talents on giving every patient the best possible care and attention.
Kim is married to her wonderful husband, Jon, and loves her dog, Max. When she isn’t in the office caring for our patients, Kim can be found outside, fishing, playing volleyball or just relaxing by the pool.
Sammy – Administrative & Dental Assistant
Sammy is originally from Stratford, Wisconsin. After graduating from Stratford High School, she began pursuing a degree in biological sciences from ASU online, with the goal of eventually attending dental school. She joined the Wausau Smiles team in May of 2019, and she has had an immediate positive impact. Sammy was drawn to the dental field because she wanted the chance to help patients have healthier smiles and feel more confident about them. Her favorite thing about being part of our office is the caring, family-like environment.
When she’s not working, Sammy loves to shop, travel, and spend time up north boating and doing other activities on the water. She can also often be found with her two golden doodles, Goldi and Ivy.
Marsha – Patient Relations & Administrative Assistant
Marsha became a member of the Wausau Smiles administrative staff in the fall of 2020. A native of Wausau, she had previously worked as a dental assistant and in customer service roles. She brings to our office over 18 years of dental experience, a welcoming disposition, and wonderful interpersonal skills. Marsha enjoys helping patients and being a part of a Wausau Smiles team that is dedicated to delivering the highest quality patient-centered care.
Outside of work, Marsha loves spending time with her family. She and her husband, Kevin, met while in high school in the Wausau area and have two children, Kyle and Molly. Marsha enjoys watching her kids’ sporting events, camping, and fishing. She also loves family vacations to the beaches of Alabama and Florida.
Jody – Patient Relations & Administrative Assistant
Jody, one of our wonderful admins, was born in Illinois and raised here in Wausau. She graduated from Wausau West High School and went on to attend Northcentral Technical College. She always knew that she wanted to do something involving helping people. She was given the opportunity to work in the dental field and never looked back. She has enjoyed many aspects of this field, including assisting, ortho assisting, lab work, and front desk responsibilities. Jody believes in always putting the patient first and is willing to help them with whatever is needed. She is a great team player who is just as quick to help her coworkers as our patients. What she enjoys most about working at Wausau Smiles is this great sense of team and our ability to work so well together.
In her free time, Jody loves spending time with family. She and her husband, Tim, have two grown children and two grandchildren, all of whom live in the Wausau area. Some of her interests and pastimes include camping, boating, baseball, and hockey.
Brodie – Patient Relations & Administrative Assistant
Brodie is originally from Mayville, Wisconsin. After graduating from high school, she went on to earn her Phlebotomy Technician technical diploma from Mid-State Technical College and worked in another field before joining our Wausau Smiles team in the spring of 2025. She applied to this position as a new opportunity and a chance to explore work in a different environment, and she made a positive difference on our front desk team immediately. She is always looking to support both our administrative and clinical teams and to help create a positive experience for every one of our patients. Her dedication and focus on patient experience, as well as her interpersonal and organizational skills are a great asset to everyone in our office. One of her favorite things about working here is the help and support she always feels from our team. When she isn’t helping patients, Brodie enjoys shopping, going to Disney World, and spending time with her husband and their dog. One fun fact about Brodie: she absolutely loves macaroni and cheese.
Dental Hygienists
Katie – Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Katie has been with our team since 2006, making her one of the most experienced staff members. Katie received her training at NTC, and she absolutely loves her patients! Over the years she has gotten to know many of her patients very well, and she firmly believes that Wausau Smiles has the best patients around.
Katie’s husband, Mike, is a dairy farmer. Together they have six children. She loves spending time with her family and friends, traveling, cooking, and helping out on the family farm.
Melissa – Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Melissa grew up in the Milwaukee area and attended UW-Milwaukee for her general studies before enrolling in Waukesha County Technical College to study dental hygiene. She graduated from WCTC in 2006. After working in other areas, she joined the Wausau Smiles team as a registered dental hygienist in March of 2017. Melissa enjoys working with patients of all ages and backgrounds, though she has a special fondness for working with children. Some of the things she enjoys most about Wausau Smiles are the camaraderie among the staff and everyone’s commitment to excellent patient care.
Melissa and her husband have four boys. The seventh member of their immediate family is their dog, Ollie. When Melissa isn’t at work, she enjoys a number of hobbies, including running, gardening, working out and watching her kids’ sports.
Samantha – Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Samantha began in the healthcare field as a nursing assistant. The last three of her 10 years in that field, she went to Northcentral Technical College for her degree in dental hygiene. She graduated in 2015 and went on to become certified in administering nitrous oxide and local anesthetic. Samantha got into the dental field because she loves patient care and educating people, and she loves learning new things. She feels a smile is the first thing people see, and she wants her patients to love their smiles. Along with her passion for patients and dental hygiene, Samantha brings to the office great organizational, communication, and collaborative skills.
Outside of the office, Samantha loves spending time with her family, including her amazing husband, their young son, and their golden doodle who does everything with them. Some of the activities she enjoys most are traveling, hiking, mountain biking, watching Netflix, and taking in her son’s sports.
Hilary – Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Hilary is originally from Merrill, Wisconsin. She began college at UW-Eau Claire with the intention of entering the nursing field. But while working as a CNA, she decided it wasn’t for her. She took some dental assisting courses that really made her fall in love with the dental field and graduated from Northcentral Technical College with her degree in dental hygiene. Hilary temped in our office several times in 2019 and officially joined our staff in the fall of 2020. Hilary brings great teamwork and a welcoming disposition to Wausau Smiles. Some of the things she enjoys most about our office are our friendly, caring team and the great atmosphere we provide both patients and staff.
When she’s not working, Hilary loves spending time with her husband, their son and daughter, and their enormous dog. She also enjoys being outdoors in all the beauty this area has to offer, as well as cooking.
Lindsey – Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Lindsey joined our team in the spring of 2024. Born and raised in Antigo, she graduated from Antigo High School and completed her dental hygienist at Northcentral Technical College. As a young girl, she always enjoyed going to the dentist and getting her teeth cleaned, and she found the work interesting. As she got older, she knew that she wanted to help people understand the importance of oral health and be a part of a friendly and caring environment like the one she experienced in her youth. Lindsey is committed to providing quality care and always doing what’s best for patients. Her understanding and compassion help provide an environment that’s positive and comforting. In addition to her technical skills and experience, she is a good listener who’s always willing to help others. She is friendly and welcoming, always looking to provide a positive experience with her attitude toward patients. WThe things she enjoys most about working at Wausau Smiles are the friendly and helpful environment, how all our staff work together, and our focus on proper care.
When she’s not in the office, Lindsey is always with family and her two dogs. Some of her favorite activities are taking walks and hiking, fishing, snowboarding, and reading. One of her most memorable experiences was swimming and scuba diving with dolphins and stingrays. Lindsey is thankful for the support of her family and getting to be a part of a wonderful dental team.
Alex – Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Alex became a part of our Wausau Smiles team in the summer of 2024. Though she was born in Wuhan, Hubei, China, she considers Merrill, Wisconsin her hometown. After graduating from Merrill High School, she continued her education at Northcentral Technical College to earn her associate degree in Dental Hygiene. What drew her to this profession is her enjoyment of one-on-one patient care. Dentistry was a way for her to have a direct impact on patients’ lives. She wants to be able to provide high level care and build relationships with those in need. Her goal is always to provide her patients with comfort and confidence in their smiles. It’s important for her to build that trust with the patient because she knows it can lead to better oral health outcomes. She believes staying patient-centered is crucial. Alex is very patient and compassionate with others in our practice, as well as with our patients. She always tries to go above standard of care because her patients deserve the very best professional treatment. What she enjoys most about working in our office is that we really care about our patients and want the very best for them. She appreciates when her coworkers are always willing to help her out and finds our team truly amazing.
Alex is an only child and — when she isn’t helping our patients — enjoys spending time with her parents and her dog, Max. Her favorite hobbies are paddle-boarding, camping, going to coffee shops, spending time with friends, and playing pickleball and tennis. An interesting fact about her is that she’s lived in five very different places in her life: China, Kentucky, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Trista – Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Bio coming soon.
Ashley – Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Bio coming soon.
Megan – Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Bio coming soon.
Dental Assistants
Stephanie – Dental Assistant
Our dental assistant Stephanie is originally from Stratford, Wisconsin. After graduating from high school, she made the decision to enter this profession because she likes helping people and wanted to learn more about the field of dental care. She joined our Wausau Smiles team in the fall of 2023. When it comes to her approach to care, Stephanie likes to imagine herself in the patient’s situation. She always does her best to prioritize their comfort and wellbeing in the same manner she would like to be treated in their position. A wonderful teammate, she does her best to help anywhere necessary throughout our office, and she always makes patients’ care her top priority. What she enjoys most about working in our office is the overall positive attitude, as well as the way everyone works together as a team to provide the best patient care possible.
When she isn’t helping patients and our team in the office, Stephanie enjoys cooking, reading, and walking her dog.
Kim– Dental Assistant
Kimberly joined our team in the beginning of 2018, bringing 13 years of dental assisting experience to our office. Over the past few years, she had taken on more administrative responsibilities, which has helped our team and our patients a great deal. She enjoys the variety each day brings as she helps our patients, and she truly appreciates the opportunity to help give our patients their smiles back. Kim accomplishes this focusing her time and talents on giving every patient the best possible care and attention.
Kim is married to her wonderful husband, Jon, and loves her dog, Max. When she isn’t in the office caring for our patients, Kim can be found outside, fishing, playing volleyball or just relaxing by the pool.
Lily – Dental Assistant
Lily was born in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and raised in Wausau. After graduating from high school, she’s gone on to do continuing education at the post-secondary level. She joined our Wausau Smiles office in the fall of 2023 and had an immediate positive impact on our patients and our team. She wanted to enter the field of dental care—and specifically our office—because she loves working with people and was a patient at our office prior to beginning her employment. She enjoyed seeing how the clinical team and Dr. Bushong worked, and this is what first got her interested in our practice. When it comes to her approach to care, she always focuses on making sure patients are comfortable and at ease. In addition to her skills and experience, she is a great team player who supports our staff however she can. Her favorite part about working here is getting to help patients and working with wonderful teammates.
Outside of the office, Lily enjoys spending time with friends and family, especially her three boys.
Rachel– Dental Assistant
Bio coming soon.
Amelia – Dental Assistant
Bio coming soon.
Makaela – Dental Assistant
Makaela came to Wausau Smiles in February of 2025 and added her talent and experience to our great team of dental assistants. Originally from Escanaba, Michigan, Makaela graduated from Escanaba High School and has been working toward her Dental Hygiene degree from Northcentral Technical College since first moving to our area. She knew that a career in the field of dental care was for her when she learned that she loves helping others obtain good oral hygiene and enjoys seeing them confident in their smiles. In addition to her talent and experience, she brings to our office a dedication to learning and willingness to help her teammates in whatever way is needed. She is committed to meeting our patients’ needs and keeps that as her focus. What she enjoys most about working at Wausau Smiles is that our practice helps everyone we can and always tries our best to create a comfortable environment for everyone who walks through our doors. Outside of work, Makaela’s favorite ways to spend her time are reading and boating.
Samantha – Dental Assistant
One of the talented members of our dental assisting team, Samantha, was born and raised here in Wausau. After graduating from Wausau West High School, she graduating from the Dental Assisting program at Northcentral Technical College. Having a longtime fascination in the dental field, she wants everyone to enjoy their experiences in our office; and she works to create a welcoming environment so patients never walk away with a negative experience. She always wants our patients to look forward to their next appointment. Her approach to her work is focusing on providing friendly and compassionate care of the highest quality. Sam is detail oriented and a great communicator, both of which set our patients at ease and deliver the best results. What she loves about Wausau Smiles is how friendly everyone is and how our staff puts all of their patients as their top priority. When she isn’t in the office, Sam enjoys being outdoors, crafting, and spending time with family. Fun fact: she has gone skydiving and scuba diving (and enjoyed them both).
Samantha – Dental Assistant
Sammy is originally from Stratford, Wisconsin. Sammy was drawn to the dental field because she wanted the chance to help patients have healthier smiles and feel more confident about them. Her favorite thing about being part of our office is the caring, family-like environment.
Emery – Dental Assistant
Bio Coming Soon.
Ethan – Dental Assistant
Bio Coming Soon.
Breanna – Admin
Bio coming soon.