Meet Dr. Kirsten Romani
| Meet the Staff
| Why Choose Romani Orthodontics
| Testimonials
Meet the Staff
At Romani Orthodontics, we strive to provide an orthodontic experience that is second to none. We believe that the "perfect smile" is more than just aesthetic; it is a healthy and beautiful smile that helps create self confidence in our patients that directly affects them for the rest of their lives. The Team that helps to make this all possible is made up of people that truly care about every patient. We are friendly, professional, highly trained, and work very well together. We take great pride in the personalized attention we provide to patients in our state-of-the-art offices. This is why we are proud to say, "Experience the Perfect Smile."
Vanessa Karbowksi
Serving our patients for more than 2 years
Vanessa does her best every day to make each patient feel comfortable and happy, starting with her own contagious smile. She first came to us from a college externship and loved observing the Team at Romani Orthodontics so much that she applied for a Dental Assistant position and was immediately hired because she fit in so well. She is cross trained as a Records Technician and Dental Assistant, working directly with Dr. Romani to help our patients achieve their perfect smile. "Everyone in our office is extremely close on a personal and professional level, and we all strive for the same excellence in orthodontics! I love what I do and I am lucky to be a part of Romani Orthodontics." Vanessa is our "toothfairy" for local school programs, dressing up in a beautiful costume and helping Dr. Romani teach youngsters in our community about excellent oral hygiene and dental health. Something fun about Vanessa: she was a competitive gymnast for eleven years and loves to bake.
Melissa Overton
Serving our patients for more than 7 years
Melissa is our Treatment Coordinator in the East Providence office. She is the Team member that meets with each new patient and makes the initial consultation as comfortable and informative as possible. "I love to help people, so it brings me great joy to make our patients’ and parents’ transition into orthodontic treatment as easy as possible." Melissa is also amazed to see how teeth can be transformed and what a nice smile can do for a person’s self esteem. Both she and her eldest daughter have worn braces and have the beautiful smiles to show for it. She is a team player, too: "I love working with such a great and hard-working Doctor and also our staff of well-trained assistants. We work great together as a Team and our patients are our number one priority." If you love Michael Jackson’s music and are a big fan, be sure to talk to Melissa!
Maria Nobrega
Serving our patients for more than 4 years
Maria has been working in the practice since 2006 as a vital member of our Team. She sterilizes all of the instruments and sets ups each chair before every patient. Maria brings smiles to children and adults alike when she greets them in the clinic. She oversees caring for the beautiful salt water aquarium that is a focal point in the East Providence office. When not at work, Maria has been a member of the Holy Ghost Society for the past fifteen years serving meals and bringing joy to others. "I enjoy working with Doctor Romani and the Team because they are very nice to me and to each other."
Stefanie Brooks
Serving our patients for more than 10 years
Stefanie is a patient favorite at the office. Since 2000, Stefanie has been bringing smiles to the faces of the patients she works with by being a friend to them rather than someone that simply works on their teeth. Stefanie takes photographs and digital radiographs (x-rays) as a Records Technician, and is also cross-trained to work in the clinic as a Dental Assistant. Her bright smile and upbeat conversations help to make appointments pass quickly and easily. Movies and Disney World are popular topics of conversation because she is an expert on both, but her daughter, Jade, is her favorite subject.
Janice Lopez
Serving our patients for more than 10 years
Janice is great at what she does and has been with the practice since 2000. As a managing Dental Assistant, Janice loves to work with patients and excels at making them feel comfortable at their appointments. She is the mother of two boys, so she can relate well with young patients- family is a top priority. "I love working for Romani Orthodontics because it feels like my second home. Everyone is caring, loving, and fun, but most importantly we all love what we do. As a Team we all understand that our priority is our patients and their care."
Tara George
Serving our patients for more than 15 years
Tara was inspired to join the orthodontic field because she was fascinated by how you could change someone’s life for the better by giving them a smile that makes them proud and self-confident. Patients request to see Tara at their visits because she builds friendships with them, learning what they like and asking about their families and activities; she remembers details and asks them for updates at each appointment. As a mother of three young children, Tara knows how important it is to belong to a strong Team: "Our Team is one big family. We all get along very well and each one of us brings something special to our work." If you want to know anything about ‘80’s music trivia, just ask Tara!
Gayle Valedofsky
Serving our patients for more than 5 years
Gayle is the Scheduling Coordinator at our Chepachet location and is likely the first person that greets you when you call and visit the office. She likes to hear the family stories of our patients and enjoys learning about their interests. The progress of every patient is of special interest to Gayle, leading up to her favorite moment- the final reveal! Gayle enjoys her job because "everyone is so positive and upbeat; it’s a pleasure to come to the office." A mother of three young children, Gayle once worked in Disney World and is still a frequent visitor. A favorite hobby: baking and decorating cakes.
Kim McClarnon
Serving our patients for more than 18 years
Since 1992, Kim has been making patients smile at our office. As a managing Dental Assistant, she gets to know our patients and their families throughout their treatment. As a mother of two young boys, family discussions are the norm at Kim’s chair. Her favorite part of a patient’s case is seeing the amazing results at the end of treatment, and the confidence that each patient shows with their new smile. Kim loves what she does: "I enjoy coming to work because we have a great Doctor and wonderful Team members that all work together to treat our patients with the most care possible."
Shari Carley
Serving our patients for more than 10 years
As a teenager, Shari had braces and it changed her life. Ever since then, she has wanted to be a part of creating that magical transition in others. She loves the process of creating beautiful smiles, building self confidence, and bringing out the true beauty in our patients. As people go through treatment, they become like extended family to Shari as she enjoys exchanging information with them about their lives. "They make me realize that orthodontic treatment doesn’t just brighten patients’ smiles, but their entire lives!" As a mother of two young boys, she knows how important that is. And Shari loves working at Romani Orthodontics: "My Team is more like family! We all get along great. We work together to get things done and we share lots of smiles and laughs along the way."
Julie Rea
Serving our patients for more than 1 year
Julie is a new member of our Team and has been an outstanding addition. As the Scheduling Coordinator in the East Providence office, she works directly with patients to make sure that every appointment is as convenient as possible to fit into their busy lives. She welcomes everyone with a smile and wants to make sure that you have one, too! Julie is a true "people person." For twenty five years she has worked in customer service, including at Disney, and she loves the joy of getting to know people. "There is something very rewarding about being part of and seeing the transformation and boost of self-confidence when patients walk out with their new smiles." Julie fits in perfectly at Romani Orthodontics: "We have an excellent and friendly Team that I am proud to be part of. I look forward to coming to work, and I don’t think that you could find a more qualified and caring doctor than Dr. Romani. The well being of each patient is always her top priority. We are like a big family here and want you to feel the same way." A fun fact about Julie: she used to be a drummer in a country western band!
Fatima Lima
Serving our patients for more than 6 years
Fatima is our Financial Coordinator, assisting patients and their families with flexible payment options and insurance paperwork to make their beautiful smile possible. She loves the results that our office achieves for patients: "I enjoy the day their braces come off or their Invisalign treatment is complete, and they pop into my office to show me their perfect new smile!" Fatima has been with the practice since 2004 and this has been her second family: "Working with Dr. Romani and the Team is great because they truly love what they do and it shows." When she is not at the office, Fatima would rather be at the beach with her family or traveling to exciting places.
Robin Kerwin
Serving our patients for more than 30 years
Robin has been with the practice since 1980 and has done just about everything! The common thread for her, though, is providing outstanding care to every patient in the practice. Robin gets to know patients throughout their treatment and appreciates the confidence and self esteem that a beautiful smile brings. She works closely with Dr. Romani as a Treatment Coordinator to help patients have a great experience during their orthodontic care. For Robin, "working in the field of orthodontics is very gratifying when you see the complete process of transformation taking place, and you see a patient blossom with their new smile. By choosing our practice, patients have a chance to get involved not only with their treatment, but also with our office contests and getting to know our Team members on a more personal level. We take pride in our patients’ activities both in the office as well as in their personal lives. We believe that everyone is special and like to make them feel that way."
Dan Romani
Serving our patients for more than 2 years
Dan is the Business Manager for the practice and is Dr. Romani’s husband. "Working with Kirsten and this Team is a complete joy. We want our patients to feel comfortable at their appointments and to enjoy the experience of achieving their new smiles." Dan and Dr. Romani have three young children and live on a small farm in the northwest corner of Rhode Island. If you would like to know more about Belted Galloway cows (the "oreo" cows that are black on each end with a white stripe in the middle), chickens for fresh eggs, or honey bees, just ask Dan. He also enjoys collecting and dealing in early American antiques.
Christi Kennedy
Serving our patients for more than 1 year
Christi works in the Chepachet office as a Sterilization Technician, cleaning all of the instruments and setting up treatment chairs for every patient. She first came to Romani Orthodontics as the mother of two handsome boys, who are patients. She had worked in the field of orthodontics for seven years before starting her family, and her recent return was a seamless transition into our practice. Christi is a true "team player," jumping in wherever needed to help her colleagues throughout the office, from the front desk to the back clinic. What is Christi's favorite dog? The Basset Hound!
Ann Donahue
Serving our patients for 10 years
Ann is the Financial Coordinator for the Chepachet Office. She helps patients and their families navigate the variety of payment plans available, as well assists them with insurance benefits and paperwork. "I enjoy coming to work. Everyone on our team, including Dr. Romani, gets along with each other and we all work well together." Ann Belongs is a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House of Providence, and helps to prepare meals for the residents once each month. She enjoys walking, dancing, and playing with her Dog, Casey.
