About Us




Our staff is committed to ensure that you feel comfortable and well-informed throughout any non-surgical or surgical treatment that you have in our office. We strive to provide you with the absolute best care possible.
Staff


Dr. Phyllis Cook
 Phyllis Cook, DDS, MPH

Dr. Cook was born in Kokomo, Indiana and raised in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She graduated Palm Beach Junior College with an Associate's Degree in Dental Hygiene in 1975. She moved to North Carolina in 1985. The love for her work and her drive as a professional motivated her to pursue a career in Periodontology. She completed her pre-dental curriculum at UNC Charlotte in May of 1992. Dr. Cook excelled in her studies and graduated from the UNC School of Dentistry in May 1996. In the spring of 1996, she became involved in Teaching Assistants for Conservative Operative Dentistry (teaching freshman dental students preclinical operative skills). Dr. Cook received her certificate in Periodontics after completing the three year residency program in 1999, also at the UNC School of Dentistry.

Dr. Cook's honors include maintaining the Dean’s List at the University of North Carolina in 1993 and 1995. She was honored with the Summer Cancer Assistantship Award in 1995 and the International College of Dentists Achievement Award in 1996. In the same year, Dr. Cook was awarded with the Annual Student Award from the American Academy of Periodontology, and was inducted in the Omicron Kappa Upsilon, Honorary Dental Society. Membership to the elite International Team of Implantology was awarded in 2005. She is an active adjunctive professor at the UNC School of Dentistry, Department of Periodontics. In November 2005, Dr. Cook became certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology.
 
Brenda

Brenda Moore, Treatment / Scheduling Coordinator

Brenda has been working with the front office staff of Dr. Phyllis Cook since September 2003. She enjoys making patients’ experiences in the office pleasant from the first contact. After completing a degree in Portrait and Wedding Photography in Minnesota in 1996, she relocated to Wilmington, NC and has found a welcoming career with Dr. Cook. After business hours, she enjoys playing volleyball and spending time with friends.



Jenn

Jennifer Patterson, Scheduling / Treatment Coordinator  

Jennifer has been with Dr. Cook since August 2004. She has worked as an administrator in the medical field for over 6 years and enjoys coming to work everyday! She was born and raised in Ohio and moved to Wilmington 4 years ago… she now calls it home. She loves assisting patients with scheduling and financial arrangements. She does everything possible to make the patient’s experience a pleasurable one! In her spare time she enjoys playing with her cats and dog, relaxing at the beach and an occasional tennis match (when it’s not too hot!).


Anita

Anita Goens, Treatment/Scheduling Coordinator

Anita’s been in the dental field for eight years and has worked with Dr. Cook for over 2 years. She enjoys scheduling patients and assisting with financial arrangements so patients may obtain their necessary dental care. Outside of the office she spends her time with her family and entertaining her energetic two year old.


Stacy
 Stacy Keifer, CDA

Stacy has been working in dentistry since 1997. She has been with Dr. Cook since October 2000 working as a surgical assistant. She became a certified dental assistant after on-site training and challenging the Dental Assisting National Board Examination in May 2001. While at work she enjoys catering to patients with the highest quality and standard of care. Outside the office she enjoys spending time with her terrier-schnauzer mix, Dory; working around her home planting flowers; and manicuring her lawn.



Susan
 Susan Vardaro, DAII

Susan started working with Dr. Cook in August 2001 as a surgical assistant. She has been in the dental field for over 25 years. She specializes in patient care and wants to make the experience as comfortable as possible. She enjoys riding a motorcycle with her husband and taking care of her two shar-peis. “I am a true animal lover!”


Shaun
Shaun Sullivan, RDH

Shaun has been a dental hygienist for almost 20 years. She currently holds a license in North Carolina and Florida. Most of her experience has been in a periodontal office and she feels this is her area of expertise (Dr. Cook would agree!). She continues to challenge her professional skills through continuing education. She loves meeting and getting to know new faces and helping them keep a healthy smile. Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going to the beach, and golfing.


Amy
 Amy Jacobs, CDA, RDH

Amy has been working in the dental field for 11 years. She has worked with Dr. Cook for over two years. She is a Certified Dental Assistant and a Registered Dental Hygienist. She graduated from Cape Fear Community College and has a two year Associate’s degree in Applied Science. Amy’s favorite part about dentistry is taking care of patients and helping them keep a beautiful, healthy smile for a lifetime. She enjoys working with such a wonderful group of caring individuals. Amy loves being with her family, friends and dog! She also has a wonderful garden she tends to often.

 
Cecilia Liu, Sterilization Technician  

Cecilia graduated from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Sports Science and Biology in May of 2006. She is interested in pursuing career as a dentist and has recently started working with Dr. Cook as a sterilization technician/assistant. Cecilia enjoys helping patients maintain good oral healthcare to obtain a healthy beautiful smile. In her free time she takes pleasure in spending time with her family and friends. She is an avid reader for education and fun!

   
Our staff is always eager to answer any questions you may have. We welcome new patients and the greatest compliment you can give us is the referral of your family and friends.