Meet The Staff

Our exceptional, friendly staff is our greatest asset. Our dental assistants and hygienists are licensed professionals who pride themselves on staying on the cutting edge of dentistry and patient communication. They are excited about what they are doing, have high standards of quality and integrity, and are motivated to achieve the best results for our family of patients.

Our dedicated and motivated staff has one primary goal—your utmost comfort! We feel it’s important that you understand the treatment that you’ll be receiving so that you can relax during the procedure. Our staff is eager to answer any questions regarding your dental care. Please feel free to share with us your needs and concerns.

 



Dr. Vikas Goel

Doctor

Meet Dr. Goel

Dr. Goel brings over two decades of experience and a passion for excellence in dental care. He began his journey in dentistry by earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Surgery in India in 1997. Seeking to expand his expertise, he pursued his Doctorate in Dental Surgery at New York University, graduating in 2009. Following this, he completed a one-year residency at Jersey City Medical Center, gaining valuable hands-on experience.


In 2012, Dr. Goel moved to Central New York and has been dedicated to serving the Utica community ever since. In 2019, he took the next step in his career by opening his own practice, where he continues to provide high-quality, patient-focused dental care. Committed to ongoing education, Dr. Goel stays at the forefront of the latest advancements in dentistry. He is affiliated with Spear Education and DOCS Education and is an active member of prestigious organizations such as the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, the Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the International Dental Implant Association. Additionally, he is involved with the Organization for Safety, Asepsis, and Prevention (a nonprofit focused on infection control in dentistry) and Clinicians Report, a nonprofit dental research organization.Also he is a member of the Fifth District Dental Society and New York State Dental Association.

Beyond dentistry, Dr. Goel and his family are proud to call Central New York home. Outside the office, he enjoys traveling, love Music and Sports ,exploring nature, and spending quality time with his wife and two sons.


Dr. Jose Medina

Doctor

Jose Medina-Robles is a dedicated and accomplished dentist from Puerto Rico. Born and raised on the island, Jose pursued his passion for oral health and medical care by enrolling in the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, where he earned his degree in dentistry.
 
After completing his dental studies, he further honed his skills and expertise by undertaking a General Practice Residency at Faxton St. Luke’s, an experience that deepened his clinical knowledge and broadened his ability to provide comprehensive care to patients.
 
With a strong foundation in dentistry and a commitment to patient well-being, Jose Medina-Robles is a valued member of the healthcare community, constantly working to improve oral health in his practice and beyond


Sherry

Office Manager & Financial/Treatment Coordinator

Sherry is our Office Manager & Financial/ Treatment Coordinator at Ellinwood Dental.  Sherry offers more than 20 years of concentrated experience in dentistry ranging from corporate to private practice. Sherry orchestrates the seamless operation of our practice. Her educational background and love for healthcare, drive her commitment to excellence in patient care.

Our commitment to you as a team is to work great together, provide excellent service and create a culture where the positive energy is undeniable! Outside of work, Sherry enjoys having fun, laughing, reading and spending time with her family. 



Heather

Lead Administrator

 As our Lead administrator, Heather strives for customer service excellence! Heather has been in healthcare for 10+ years. She has always been passionate about helping people and animals alike! In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors in nature, exploring new places with her fiancé’ and traveling with her daughter’s volleyball team.



Tamara

Administration

Tamara grew up in Bronx, New York. In 2007 she moved to Utica, NY and attended SUNY IT where she  graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Tamara has been working in the dental industry for 5 years now. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and fur baby. 


Nicole

Insurance Coordinator


Pallavi

Administration

Welcome! My Name is Pallavi ,and I bring over 20 years of experience in dental administration, coupled with a passion for excellence in the dental field. I earned my bachelor’s degree from Montclair State University and went on to complete my master’s in business, which has equipped me with the skills to manage and lead with efficiency and care.I am also Certified licensed Esthetician and a Nail Technician. When I’m not in the office, I love spending quality time with my husband and children, as well as indulging in my passion for dance. I am committed to lifelong learning and always seek opportunities to enhance my knowledge and expertise in dentistry. My goal is to ensure every patient feels valued and supported while fostering a positive environment for both staff and clients.



Sylva

Head Registered Dental Hygienist

Sylva is the Head of our Dental Hygiene department at Ellinwood Dental. Sylva earned her degree in Travel and Tourism management in 2008 and later graduated in 2013 with a degree in Dental Hygiene and applied sciences at Hudson Valley Community College. With a lifelong passion for travel, she dedicated years in the travel and tourism industry before entering dentistry. Throughout her career, she has gained extensive experience in a wide range of dental procedures. Sylva’s leadership style is characterized by integrity, resilience and a vision, while fostering a positive work environment, and encouraging continuous professional development among staff according to policies, procedures and scope of practice. She is inspired daily by her husband and their two sons. Growing up in a multilingual household, speaking English, Arabic and French, she developed a deep appreciation for languages and culture. In her free time, Sylva enjoys traveling the world, learning new languages and reading books.




McKenna

Registered Dental Hygienist

Hello, my name is McKenna. I am a Registered Dental Hygienist . I have been working in the dental field for 2 years now. I grew up in the Adirondacks, and earned my degree in Dental Hygiene at Suny Broome in 2023. In my spare time, I love being outside and spending time with my family, friends, and my dog. 


Edina

Registered Dental Hygienist

Edina was born in Germany but grew up in Utica, NY. She graduated from the Dental Hygiene program at Hudson Valley Community college in Troy, NY and has been a part of our team since 2024. She loves getting to know her patients, seeing them smile and making them feel more comfortable during their visits. When she’s not at work, she enjoys spending time with family, friends and her pup Teddy. 


Lisa

Lead Dental Assistant

My name is Lisa. I take pride in my role as a Lead Dental Assistant at Ellinwood Dental. I was born in Brooklyn New York. I obtained my certification in Dental Assisting in 2017 at OHM Boces in New Hartford, NY and fell in love with the field of saving teeth and changing lives!  I am going into my 8th year as an experienced expanded functions dental assistant. I plan to advance my career in dentistry as I continue to work towards my registration to becoming a registered dental assistant, placing God before all else in my life, as through him, all things are possible.  My three children are my whole world and the motivation behind my journey of self discovery and personal growth. In my free time, you can find me spending quality time with my children, and traveling near the ocean, soaking up the sun! I am happy and grateful to be working here!


Tatyana

Head Dental Assistant

Tatyana ( Tanya) earned her certification in dental assisting in 2011 at OHM Boces in Utica, NY and has over a decade of experience in the dental industry . Tanya’s role as Head Dental Assistant at Ellinwood Dental includes; infection control safety officer and inventory management. She enjoys working in an atmosphere that is always striving to be on the cutting edge of dental technology while delivering the highest level of treatment. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and five children, boating and baking custom cakes. 


Raqiya

Dental Assistant

Raqiya is a dedicated dental assistant, she previously worked with patients with special needs in maxillofacial surgery and is now working in general dentistry to gain more experience. She has been in the dental industry for the last four years. In her free time, Raqiya enjoys horse back riding and designing fashion. 



Zoryana

Dental Assistant

Zoryana is a committed dental assistant. She majored in business and accounting at Herkimer College and decided to transition her career path to dentistry. Zoryana’s goal is to progress to the next step in her career by becoming a Registered Dental Hygienist. In her free time, Zoryana loves traveling, water sports, and spending time with her friends.


Jessica

Dental Assistant

Jessica earned her certification in dental assisting at OHM Boces in 2024. Her goal is to expand her skillset and progress her career in becoming a Registered Dental Hygienist. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her 2 dogs and friends