Meet the Team
Our skilled and accomplished team looks forward to making your visit a good experience.
Gia Garrett, Registered Dental Hygienist
Gia has been interested in teeth since she was young and decided to pursue a career in dental hygiene after shadowing a few hygienists. She enjoys creating relationships with her patients and gets deep satisfaction from cleaning their teeth and leaving them fresh and sparkling.
She says, “I come to work because I love people! I think it’s fantastic that I can help patients become healthier with cleanings and education.”
Gia grew up in Tucson, Arizona. She attended Pima Community College and Northern Arizona University and has worked in the dental field since 2009. Gia lives with her husband, their three (soon to be four) children, and their Bernedoodle, Dudley. Gia enjoys photography, cooking, organizing, and volunteering.
Elly Vazirnia, Registered Dental Hygienist
Elly has worked in dentistry for over 25 years, both in private practice and volunteer clinics. A Chicago native who has lived in Arizona for three years, Elly holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of St. Francis and a degree in dental hygiene. Elly knows she can make a subtle but significant impact on people’s lives by teaching them good oral hygiene habits. In addition, she enjoys building relationships with patients as she sees them progress from visit to visit. Her goal is for patients to keep their teeth for their lifetime.
Elly and her husband Jim have four adult children and one grandson. Elly loves hiking, travel, reading, and yoga. About the area, she says, “The mountains are amazing, the hikes are plentiful, and the sky is either blue or full of stars. I love the weather.”
Brenda Mook, Registered Dental Hygienist
Brenda grew up in Tempe, Arizona, and studied at Northern Arizona University, where she graduated cum laude in 2000. She returned to NAU as a clinical instructor while also working in private practice, and she was also a member of one of the boards for the Arizona Dental Association.
Brenda has been working with Dr. Walden since 2009. She says, “I love clinical hygiene. I have created many, many relationships with my patients and love being able to improve their oral and sometimes physical health.”
Brenda loves spending time with her husband, two grown stepchildren, and 8-year-old grandson. Soon a Yorkie pup named Maizel will join the family. Brenda also enjoys reading.
Alina Bogle, Registered Dental Hygienist
Alina was born and raised here in Arizona, and she graduated from Northern Arizona University with a bachelor’s of science in dental hygiene. She’s been a registered dental hygienist for 17 years and has been obsessed with smiles since she was young. She also loves connecting with people and is motivated every day by the relationships she’s formed over the years with her patients.
Alina says:
“It’s an incredible feeling to help someone get their teeth and gums back to good health and see the happiness and confidence they gain.”
When she’s not at the office, Alina enjoys hiking, reading, and especially family time. She and her husband have been married for 22 years and have three sons and a daughter, all of whom play sports. The family also cherishes their yellow Lab, Sunny.
Sonya Phillips, Registered Dental Hygienist
Sonya has been a dental hygienist for 12 years. She’s originally from Washington state and went to dental hygiene school in Boise, Idaho.
Sonya enjoys spending time with her family, which includes a daughter and two sons, the youngest of whom is a junior in high school. They have a 3-year-old rescue pup named Dudley. Sonya’s favorite activities are hiking, paddle boarding, and traveling.
Lexie Curleyhair, Registered Dental Assistant
Lexie is from Mesa and has been a dental assistant for 17 years. She’s an alumnus of Westwood High School and Pima Medical Institute. She says, “I have had an interest in teeth since I was young. They are one of the first things people see.” It’s fulfilling for Lexie to see patients achieve the smile they’ve always wanted.
Lexie is newly married to her best friend, Eli, and enjoys spending time with him and his daughter, Katie. They have two wonderful and crazy dogs, Daisy and Ollie. Lexie’s hobbies include sewing, crocheting, four-wheeling, and camping.
Delilah, Dental Assistant
A Chicago native, Dalilah has been a dental assistant since 2009. She views Walden & Beavers Dental Group as her “home office” and is proud to be on the team.
Dalilah stays busy with her three children’s sports activities and playing fetch with their dog, Louie. She also enjoys sand volleyball, softball, hiking, and paddleboarding.
Spring, Dental Assistant
Spring’s childhood dental assistant made her feel comfortable, calmed her anxiety, and inspired her to pursue a career in dentistry. Now, she enjoys giving patients stress-free dental experiences.
Spring spends her free time with her family, her husband, Andrew, and their two dogs—a red nose pit bull, Diesel, and a dachshund, Poncho.
Jessica Aponte, Office Manager & Treatment Coordinator
Jessica is originally from California. She’s been in Arizona for 10 years and has been working in dentistry for 14 years. Jessica attended the University of the Pacific and Kaplan University and is devoted to her family, including her two children, a Great Dane, and a black Lab.
When she’s not at the office, Jessica enjoys going for long UTV rides with her family and visiting the Dunes. She also likes basketball, camping, fishing, hunting, and crafting.
Jannette Vickrey, Front Desk
Jannette comes from Morgan Hill, California. She’s a new employee at Walden Beavers Dental Group, where she enjoys greeting patients, getting to know them, and seeing them gain the confidence they need to enjoy their smiles.
Jannette is married and has a 1-year-old. In her free time, she likes camping in the sand dunes with her family and riding in their Sandrail.
Nicole Zielinski, Dental Hygiene Coordinator
A native of a small town north of Chicago, Illinois, Nicole has worked in the dentistry field since 2010. Seeing patients leave happy and comfortable is one of the greatest joys of her career.
When she is away from the office, Nicole’s diverse interests include kayaking, hiking, camping, travel, yoga, and music-related activities.
Debbie Delgado, Insurance Coordinator
Debbie lives in Casa Grande with her husband, a fire department captain in their hometown. She began her career in dentistry in 2009 and has served in various roles, including dental assisting, back and front office support, and management.
In her leisure time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their three dogs, taking mini vacations in their cabin, trying new restaurants, and bowling.