Meet the Staff
Our Team consists of 16 members. 2 Hygienists, 2 Dental Laboratory Technicians, 4 Administrative Assistants, 7 Dental Assistants, Dr. Meister, and Dr. Richard Economou.
7 assistants are Surgical Assistants, 8 are Orthodontic Assistants, all have Basic Lifesaving Certification, and 12 have Advanced Cardiac Lifesaving Certificates.
Dr. Richard Economou
Dr. Economou is a native of Northwest Indiana having attended George Rogers Clark High School, Purdue University and Graduated from Loyola University School of Dental Surgery, Chicago, IL in 1967. He joined the team of Dr. Meister and Associates in April of 2005 having practiced family dentistry in Hammond and Munster, Indiana for 41 Years.
He is a life member of the American Dental Association, Indiana Dental Association, Northwest Indiana Dental Society and an associate member of the Chicago Dental Society.
Dr. Economou continues to further his dental education by attending continuing dental education courses, seminars and meetings keeping up on new procedures and materials.
Dr. Economou and his wife Elizabeth Ann have been married for 38 years and have two sons, Peter and Paul. Paul and his wife Tami have blessed them with two grand children, Alexander and Chloe. He and his family attend and support St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and School in Munster, Indiana.
Dr. Economou has an abiding interest in History and enjoys his time off with family, visiting historical places, museums, his cottage, reading and numismatics.
Judy Eriks
Patient Relations Associate
I began working with Dr. Meister and his team in 2002. I am a current member of the American Dental Assistants Association and participate in dental related courses each year. Outside of the office I cherish spending my time with my wonderful husband of 33 years Dale. Together we have 3 handsome sons, 2 beautiful daughter-in-laws, and 3 precious granddaughters. I also enjoy scrap booking, card making, camping and traveling on the back of our Harley.
Kelly Winarski
Schedule Coordinator
I grew up in Hessville, Indiana and graduated from Morton High. I worked in a wonderful pediatric office for three years where I was an assistant and receptionist. I am now the Scheduling Coordinator for Dr. Meister and have been with the practice over a year. I enjoy working with our talented team and meeting new patients as well as visiting with our existing ones. I am currently attending Purdue Calumet where I hold a 3.8 GPA. I enjoy spending time with my wonderful family and friends. I have a 2-year-old Golden Retriever, Dekotta who is my child! Because of my love for animals I am a member of the ASPCA. I am also an Auxiliary member of The American Legion and support our military and veterans. I love watching the Bulls, and listening to all types of music, however as many know Johnny Cash is my all time favorite!
Sarah Hlavacek
Office Manager/Expanded Functions Dental Assistant
I have been a part of Dr. Meister’s team for over 7 years. I am X-ray certified and have earned the title of Expanded Functions Dental Auxiliary. I am a member of the American Dental Assistants Association and I am ACLS certified. I am a resident of Crown Point, Indiana and enjoy running, cooking, and being outside. Dentistry is one of my many passions and I look forward to a successful future in this field.
Pamela Merritt
Expanded Functions Dental Assistant
I graduated from Indiana University in 1999 with the following credentials: EDFA, CDA and CDPMA. I regularly attend training seminars to stay abreast with current dentistry practices and have been with Dr. Meister for over 10 years. I have been married to my husband Bob for over 20 years and have two children, Scott and Samantha. My hobbies are gardening and caring for the canine members of the family.
Tracy Olechnowicz
Expanded Functions Dental Assistant
I graduated from Gavit High School in Hammond, Indiana in 1998 and moved to Griffith after getting married in 2006. I attended Dental Assisting school at Olympia College, now known as Everest, and did my externship at Dr. Meister and Associates. I was hired as a full time dental assistant after my externship was completed. Since then I have become an expanded functions dental assistant and ACLS; advanced cardiovascular life saving certified. I enjoy working in dentistry because everyday is different and there is never a dull moment. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my husband, Rob, and my two dogs, family and friends. For fun, I love going to concerts and sporting events like the White Sox and the Blackhawks. I also enjoy bowling in my bowling league.
Kathleen Smith
Expanded Functions Dental Assistant
I chose a career in dentistry because it is such a great feeling being a part of something that improves the lifestyles of others. I graduated form Everest College in July 2007, and I have been working with Dr. Meister since. I’ve completed a continuing education class giving me the opportunity of being an Expanded Functions Dental Auxiliary and I am ACLS certified. I have two daughters, Arianna and Angelina. Outside of the office I enjoy spending time with my family, music and dancing.
Laura Eich
Hygienist
What makes me smile? My family! My family consists of my son Matthew Jr., whom everyone calls Matty, and my husband Matt. My favorite sounds are laughter and giggles from my two guys. My passions, other than teeth and my patients’ smiles, include: my relationship with the Lord, being a mama and wife for my guys, Matt and my service as youth ministers for St. Paul’s LIFE TEEN Program in Valparaiso, music, scrap booking, and self help things. What makes my day is finding out what makes my patients smile and knowing that I brighten their smiles for their loved ones to see.
I have enjoyed a career in dentistry since 1991. I have practiced in dentistry as a clinical dental assistant, practice management dental assistant, dental hygienist, as well as an adjunct faculty member with Indiana University Northwest School of Dentistry. I jointed Dr. Meister’s team in September of 2000 as a dental hygienist and some how became the computer person (I still don’t know how that happened since computers are definitely not a passion of mine, although they often raise my blood pressure).
My dental education started in 1991 when I participated in a high school vocational program for dental assisting. In 1993 I graduated from Indiana University Northwest School of Dentistry’s Dental Assisting Program with high distinction. In 1993 I was inducted into the Phi Epsilon Nu Dental Assisting Honor Society and received the Abraham J. Ochstein Award for Professionalism. I also became a nationally Certified Dental Assistant (C.D.A.) and have maintained this certification throughout my dental career. In December of 1993 I completed a laboratory course in Expanded Restorative Procedures with Indiana University Northwest and became an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (E.F.D.A.). In 1998 I received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry from Indiana University Northwest. In 1999 I graduated from Indiana University Northwest School of Dentistry’s Dental Hygiene program and was awarded the Oral Health Education Award. In 1999 I completed my National and State of Indiana Dental Hygiene Boards, and also the North East Regional Board.
I am an active member of the American Dental Assistants’ Association and American Dental Hygienists’ Association. I have chaired many committees and held many offices on both the state and local levels in each association including: Vice President of the Northwest Indiana Dental Hygienists’ Association, Vice President and Secretary of Indiana Dental Assistants’ Association, and President, Vice President, and Secretary of Northwest Indiana Dental Assistants’ Society. I am a lifetime member of the Indiana University Alumni Association and served as the Northwest Indiana School of Dentistry’s representative on the Alumni Board for five years. I look forward to serving my profession for many years to come.
Loraine Burkholder
Hygienist
I graduated from Indiana University Northwest Dental Hygiene Program in 1991. I am ACLS Certified and an active member of American Dental Hygienists Association. I attend the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter and continuing education seminars on a yearly basis. I have been employed with Dr. Meister since 1992. I am enjoying my years with Dr. Meister and Dr. Economou. I am thankful for the opportunities that the practice has offered me in furthering my education and to share this knowledge with my patients. Dr. Meister and Dr. Economou have been wonderful in allowing me the appropriate amount of time to extend excellent care for our patients. I feel that the patients appreciate this also. I love my job! I am an active member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Chesterton and I am involved in many of the church activities. I have been married since 1979 to Kevin, and I have three children. Kyle (Erin) grandson Carter, Sarah (Matt) and Bridget. I grew up in Griffith, IN and have lived in Chesterton, Indiana for 15 years. You might be surprised to know: I have 5 sisters, I still play softball occasionally, and I can play a mean game of foosball (unless I am up against Pam’s husband).
Andrew Cantu
Senior Lab Technician
I started my schooling at Purdue University majoring in Pre-dental studies in 1982. I continued my studies at Chicago School of Dental Technology in 1986 and then worked for the school as an instructor for Dental Technology upon graduation until 1989. From 1989 thru 1997 I worked in many different dental labs throughout Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland until I began working for Dr. Meister in 1998 as the head technician for his on site Dental Lab. I continue to expand my knowledge by attending seminars on Cerec Restorations, Dental Implant Restorations and New innovations on Denture Restoration. I have many hobbies including coaching baseball and basketball, fishing and camping with my family and playing music in my thirteen piece Latin orchestra. My wife, Elizabeth, and I have three sons, Daniel, and twin boys, Emilio and Antonio.
Ray Vassil
Lab Technician
I graduated from IPFW in Fort Wayne, Indiana with an associate’s degree in dental technology. For the 2000-2001 semester I was awarded with honors at our convocation. I also received the Herbert Rieninger Award for my dedication and professionalism in dental laboratory technology. I continue to attend regular training seminars.
I have been with Dr. Meister for 6 years now. I’ve been married for 30 years and have three wonderful children. I am an avid fisherman and a self-taught fish taxidermist. I also like to cook and work in my garden.