Meet Our Dental Team at Mark J. Niekrasz, DDS & Associates
Angelica Venegas – Office Administrator
Angelica has been with our team for 13 years. She is a very competent office administrator, handling appointments, billing, and insurance, as well as helping our Spanish-speaking patients feel right at home as she explains dental procedures and financing options. Angelica shares that the job has enhanced her ability to multitask and set goals. She likes working with our staff because, “together as a team we can be better at what we do – help patients achieve a great smile.” Dr. Niekrasz, Dr. Donovan, and Dr. Rosen, and Kathy so appreciate Angelica’s “can do” positive attitude toward all that is asked of her as office administrator. It is an expansive, important job and Angelica does it all with confidence and a smile. When Angelica is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children.
Alejandra De La Cerda – Receptionist
Hello, my name is Alejandra De La Cerda and I am currently a dental receptionist here at our practice. My family’s love and support have helped push me to become a better version of myself in all aspects. I am currently a student at Harper College, but I will be transferring to DePaul University in the Fall of 2020 to pursue a degree in political science with the goal of becoming an immigration attorney. I love my position here at our office, it gives me the opportunity to learn a lot about insurance companies and how Medicare works. At our office, it feels like a family, and we all work as a team to do the best we can to provide the best service to our patients. Outside of the office in my free time, I love to spend more time with my family.
Kathy Niekrasz – Senior Dental Assistant & Treatment Coordinator
As Dr. Niekrasz’s wife and longest-running employee, Kathy appreciates all aspects of the dental field. She most enjoys assisting in all dental procedures and educating and encouraging the patients as they work to achieve better dental and overall physical health. “We have patients who have been with us over 25 years and they are truly family to us.” Kathy helps make needed treatment understandable to our patients, and with Angelica’s and Maria’s expertise, she coordinates treatment costs with insurance benefits, co-pays, and financing. “When you break down into incremental, manageable steps what seemed overwhelming to the patient, treatment becomes doable. The patient can begin treatment with the necessary knowledge and assurance that a healthy smile can be achieved.” Everyone is a winner. That is the goal we as a dental team strive to achieve with each of our patients. When not working, Kathy enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering on local policy action organizations, and sewing and costuming for the School of Ballet Chicago. Dr. Niekrasz and Kathy have three adult children and two beautiful grandsons. Their oldest daughter is a dedicated nurse, wife, and mother of two. Their son is a published writer (MFA from the Writer’s Workshop, U. of Iowa) and musician. Their youngest daughter is a professional ballet dancer with Ballet Memphis. Kathy says, “The artistry in our three children comes mainly from their father. His artistic eye has been a tremendous asset in his dentistry, especially with achieving the best cosmetic outcomes with veneers, crowns, and dentures.”
