The Ellis Family Dentistry Team

Dr. Jonathan Ellis

Dr. Jonathan Ellis attended Thomas Dale High School in Chester and completed his undergraduate degree in biology on a full academic scholarship from Virginia Commonwealth University. In 2005 he graduated magna cum laude as a Doctor of Dental Surgery from the VCU School of Dentistry. Dr. Ellis furthered his training through his General Practice Residency at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Long Beach, California in 2006. During this program, he learned advanced techniques in restorative and cosmetic dentistry, oral surgery, dental implants, bridges, endodontics, and removable prosthetics and dentures.

Following his residency, Dr. Ellis returned to Virginia to join his father at Ellis Family Dentistry. He continues his ongoing education in dental technology and techniques. He is an Alumnus with the renowned Dawson Academy for Functional Occlusion (bite) and smile design and has also taken advanced courses on dental implant tooth replacement and CEREC CAD/CAM technology. In 2013, Dr. Ellis completed the rigorous qualifications to become a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, a recognized organization for dental implant education and practice.

In 2017, Dr. Ellis was recognized as one of the top dentists in Virginia by Virginia Living magazine. He is a member of the American Dental Association, the Virginia Dental Association, Implant Reality Study Club, the Nottaway Study Club, and a member and past president of the Southside Dental Society. He and his wife Annie have two beautiful daughters, Abby and Claire. In his spare time he enjoys travel, surfing, and snowboarding.

Dr. Jessica Keller

Dr. Keller is a West End, Richmond native. She went to Freeman High School and went on to happily become a Hokie to pursue a career in dentistry. After she graduated cum laude from Virginia Tech, she attended the School of Dentistry at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she graduated as a Doctor of Dental Surgery in 2012.

After graduation, Dr. Keller moved to practice dentistry in Florida. While she was there, she completed the Heartland Doctor Leadership Series. This program gave her the opportunity to work with dentists across America to learn about the relationship between doctors and patients and how to deliver dental care that met each patients’ unique needs. Dr. Keller also participated in the Pikos Institute Pinnacle Study Club, where she developed a multi-dentist team approach to comprehensive treatment planning.

Dr. Keller returned to Virginia to be closer to family and friends, and joined our practice. She enjoys serving our community and is active with Mission of Mercy projects and Give Kids a Smile. Dr. Keller is a member of the American Dental Association, the Virginia Dental Association, and the Southside Dental Society, and she continues her education and focus on complete oral care with the Dawson Academy for Occlusion.

Outside the office, Dr. Keller and her husband Kevin are enjoying the adventure of parenthood – helping their daughters Nellie and Josie explore the world. Together, they travel near and far, attend sporting events, listen to live music, and spend time with friends and family.

Dr. David Ellis

Our founder Dr. David Ellis was born and grew up in Hopewell. He graduated from Hopewell High School, and then went on to attend Virginia Commonwealth University and the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry, where he received his Doctorate in Dental Surgery. After he graduated, Dr. Ellis served with the Navy in Key West, Florida for two years.

In 1978, after leaving the Navy, Dr. Ellis and his family returned to Hopewell to open a private practice with the help of his wife. He and his team have proudly served Hopewell families since then.

Dr. Ellis is a member of the American Dental Association, the Virginia Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentists, the Pierre Fauchard Society, and the Nottoway Study Club. He is a past president of the Nottaway Study Club and the Southside Dental Society, and is a delegate and recently selected Fellow to the Virginia Dental Association.

Dr. Ellis and his wife live in Chester and are active members of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Hopewell. They have a son, Jonathan and a daughter, Cathon, and four beloved grandchildren. Dr. Ellis is enjoying retirement but he still loves to come in to the office to lend a hand or just say hello.

Dr. Rebecca Karp

Dr. Rebecca Karp is excited to be a part of the team at Ellis Family Dentistry. Born and raised in Virginia Beach, Dr. Karp graduated from Norfolk Academy with a passion to pursue a career in the medical field. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Biology and German Literature at the University of Virginia in 2015.

During her undergraduate studies, she was motivated to embark on a career in dentistry after shadowing mentors and seeing the positive influence in the community that dentistry provides. After obtaining her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at Virginia Commonwealth University, she returned to UVA to complete a two-year General Practice Residency at the Medical Center. During this program, she learned advanced dental procedures on medically complex patients in a hospital setting.

Dr. Karp enjoys offering comprehensive dental care with a focus on surgical procedures to patients of all ages. In addition to being a member of the American Dental Association and Virginia Dental Association, Dr. Karp dedicates time and service to the local dental community through programs such as Give Kids a Smile and Mission of Mercy projects.

In her free time, Rebecca can be found running in local races, playing in friendly yet competitive tennis matches with her sisters, golfing, skiing, and hiking with her dog!

Annie Ellis, Revenue Cycle Manager

Annie graduated summa cum laude from James Madison University in 2001 with a degree in business and music. She worked in the music industry in Virginia and California for several years after graduation. She joined our practice in 2006 along with her husband Dr. Jonathan Ellis. Annie was the Practice Manager for many years and always loved interacting with the patients and team. In 2024, Annie began not only working with Ellis Family Dentistry, but also consulting with other dental practices, helping train other managers and dental teams for improvements in billing, collections, and Revenue Cycle Management. She enjoys helping so many dentists achieve their goals for high quality dental offices, but of course she still loves her time at Ellis Family Dentistry the most! At home, Annie and Jonathan have two beautiful daughters Abby and Claire. Annie enjoys music, traveling, surfing, skiing, and spending time with friends and family.

Julia Ellis, Founding Manager

Julia has worked alongside her husband Dr. David since our practice was founded. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, and she taught middle school math before joining Ellis Family Dentistry.

She and her husband enjoy caring for patients, spending time with family and friends, and traveling. She loves being able to work with her husband, son, and daughter-in-law serving the community. She and Dr. David also have a daughter, Cathon, who develops educational material for the military. They have four grandchildren: Abby, Claire, Brooklyn, and Carter.

Nikki Gallahan, Practice Manager

Nikki brings over 10 years of experience in dental office management and patient care. A Fredericksburg native, she relocated to Hopewell and became part of the Ellis Family Dentistry team in 2017. As Practice Manager, Nikki oversees daily operations, coordinates patient scheduling, and helps patients understand their treatment plans and financial options. Her goal is to ensure every visit is smooth, informative, and welcoming.

Nikki is passionate about creating a positive experience for every patient and takes pride in working alongside the dedicated Ellis Family Dentistry team.

Outside the office, she enjoys spending quality time with her significant other and their two sons, exploring the outdoors, relaxing at the beach, and curling up with a good book whenever she gets the chance.

Shelby Pappadakis, Accounts Receivable Specialist

With over 14 years of experience in the dental field, Shelby brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her role as Accounts Receivable Specialist. She joined the practice in November 2024 and has been an integral part of the team, helping patients navigate the financial side of their dental care with clarity and compassion.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, husband, and their beloved animals. A true lover of the outdoors, she finds joy in camping trips, tending to her garden, and curling up with a good book. Whether exploring nature or relaxing at home, she values balance, connection, and making the most of every moment.

Kayleigh Sturm, Patient Care Coordinator

Kayleigh joined our team in 2024 with a strong background in dental care and a passion for helping patients feel comfortable and informed. She began her dental assisting career in 2018 after completing her training at the Virginia Dental Assisting Institute in Colonial Heights, VA. Now serving as a Patient Care Coordinator, Kayleigh brings both clinical insight and a friendly, compassionate approach to the front desk.

A Dinwiddie County resident, Kayleigh enjoys life with her husband, their new baby, and their beloved dog. Outside of work, she loves spending time with family and friends, shopping, and relaxing with her pup. Kayleigh is excited to be part of the Ellis Family Dentistry team and looks forward to building strong connections with each of our patients.

Stefanie Peaks, Insurance and Veterans Affairs Coordinator

Stefanie is an avid traveler and has lived all over the United States including Washington State, Kansas, Georgia, and North Carolina. She joined our EFD family in 2022 and has been in dental for 5 years with a background focusing on dental anesthesia. Stefanie prides herself on helping anxious patient’s feel more comfortable and understand their treatment planning. In her downtime, just like the Ellis Family, Stefanie adores visiting the Outer Banks beaches, kayaking with her two sons, or just hanging out in the backyard by the fire pit.

Vanessa Sadler, Insurance Coordinator

Vanessa joined Ellis Family Dentistry in 2025 as one of our Insurance Coordinators. A graduate of Prince George High School (Class of 2015), she began her career in the dental field in 2019 and brings valuable experience and dedication to our team.

Outside of work, Vanessa enjoys relacing on the lake and spending quality time with her friends and family. She looks forward to getting to know our patients and assisting them with their dental care needs.

Melissa McDuff, Lead Dental Hygienist

Melissa has been a long time patient and employee with the Ellis’s for over 25 years. She has spent many years of her working hours alongside Julia Ellis, learning the business side of dentistry, as well as beginning her clinical knowledge chairside with Dr. David Ellis. She attributes her firm foundation of dental career to the Ellis’s. Melissa attended Richard Bland College, John Tyler Community College, and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the VCU School of Dental Hygiene in 2005. While she enjoys her career, she treasures time spent with her family and friends. She continues to grow professionally and spiritually, realizing that helping others is one of the best gifts in life.

Kelsey Bennett, Dental Hygienist

Kelsey grew up in Virginia and earned her degree in Dental Hygiene in North Carolina. She is passionate about providing compassionate, thorough care and helping patients feel comfortable and confident during their visits. Guided by her strong faith and genuine desire to serve others, Kelsey brings warmth and dedication to every aspect of her work. Outside of the office, she is a devoted wife and mother who enjoys spending quality time with her family and making the most of life on their family land.

Seaver Dodson, Dental Hygienist

Seaver was born and raised in Mechanicsville, Virginia. He originally went to school at VCU, but finished getting his degree in Memphis, TN. While in school, he was a barista at Starbucks and hosted multiple coffee seminars to obtain his coffee master apron. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his dogs and playing online computer games.

Tanya Adamski, Dental Hygienist

Jenna Averesch, Dental Assistant

Jenna has been part of the Ellis Family Dentistry community since her teenage years, now proudly serving on the clinical team. She completed her dental training through the American Red Cross Dental Program at Fort Jackson in South Carolina. Jenna lives in Colonial Heights with her beloved dog, Luna.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and exploring the outdoors. Passionate about patient care, Jenna is dedicated to creating beautiful smiles and making every patient feel comfortable and supported throughout their visit.

Michelle Averesch, Dental Assistant

Michelle received her Dental Assisting certification through the Red Cross at Fort Lee, Virginia. As part of a military family, she has traveled the world and was a long-time patient of Dr. Ellis before joining the team. Michelle has been with our practice for four years and enjoys spending her free time with her dogs, family, and friends. She is excited to meet you and is committed to providing the high-quality care you deserve.

Kayona Battle, Dental Assistant

Kayona joined Ellis Family Dentistry in 2023, and she has been a joy to her co-workers and patients. She began her dental career in 2018 in pediatric dentistry and worked her way up to general dentistry including sedation and oral surgery. Kayona has a large family, and in her free time she enjoys family game nights, outdoor activities, and reading.

Jackie Cartes, Dental Assistant

Jacquelin (Jackie) was born in Miami, Florida, and raised in Chesterfield, Virginia. She earned her Dental Assisting certification from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and has been working in the dental field for over three years. Jackie is passionate about educating patients on the importance of oral health and is dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care. Her favorite part of her work is helping patients feel at ease and being part of their transformation and renewed confidence through their smiles.

Outside of the office, Jackie enjoys listening to music—everything from 1960s classics to early 2000s hits—never sticking to just one genre. She also finds joy in planting and caring for her growing collection of greenery.