Meet Dr. Katherine M. Hakes, F.A.G.D, F.I.C.D

Dr. Katherine M. Hakes, F.A.G.D., F.I.C.D has been providing comprehensive and up to date dental care in Spokane since 1991. Following graduation from Gonzaga Preparatory High School in Spokane, Dr. Hakes attended the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology. She then attended and graduated, with honors, from the University Of Washington School Of Dentistry in 1991. Dr. Hakes received numerous awards and recognition while in dental school including: Academy of General Dentistry Award, The American College of Prosthodontics Undergraduate Achievement Award, The Teledyne Hanau Excellence in Prosthodontics Award and Omicron Kappa Upsilon Membership.

Dr. Hakes furthered her post-graduate education following her graduate degree. In 2002, she was awarded a Fellowship by the Academy of General Dentistry – an achievement based upon 500 hours of continuing education and a minimum of 5 years in practice. In 2010, she was awarded a Fellowship by the International College of Dentists. Dr. Hakes continues to expand her knowledge base through the completion of courses throughout the year, surpassing those required by the State of Washington for licensure.

Dr. Hakes maintains professional membership / certifications with several organizations including the Spokane District Dental Society, Washington State Dental Association, American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, International Congress of Oral Implantologists, Spokane Study Club, Cerecdoctors Study Club and the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation. Dr. Hakes has served as Treasurer for the Spokane District Dental Society and as a Board Member for both the Washington State Dental Association and the Washington Oral Health Foundation. Additionally, she has donated her time, talents and expertise to various causes including Washington Oral Health Foundation’s Adopt -A-School program, Washington State Senior Access program and Washington Oral Health Foundation’s 3-Point Play Program. The 3-Point Play Program sends dentists into schools educating students on the virtues of proper oral health care. In November of 2019, Dr. Hakes was elected as a Board of Directors Member for Delta Dental of Washington.

Dr. Hakes has been married to her husband, Harold, since 1988 and they have three children: Jackie, Nick and Alex as well as two grandchildren: Genevieve and Madelyn. Dr. Hakes enjoys walking, spending time with her family, gardening and quilting.

Meet Dr. Jaclyn M. Eliassen

Not only did Dr. Jaclyn Eliassen shine as a dental student, garnering top grades and honors for her work, she also worked as a teaching assistant in both Undergraduate and Graduate schools. Additionally, Dr. Eliassen has worked as a dental assistant during the summers for her mother, Dr. Katherine M Hakes, right here in this office.

She received her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry Molecular Biology in three years at the prestigious Pennsylvania State University in State College, PA, while simultaneously playing both starting and supporting roles on the Division 1 Women’s Soccer team, which earned its 11th, 12th, and 13th Big Ten Titles. Dr. Eliassen earned accolades as Academic All-Big Ten selection in 2009 and 2010, in addition to recognition on the Dean’s List and National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Dr. Eliassen went on to receive her DDS from the University of Washington, School of Dentistry, in Seattle, WA, where she was involved in the Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE) Program, received numerous scholarships and several awards.

However, dental school just was not enough: passionate about learning, Dr. Eliassen has been highly focused on advanced continuing education, taking courses on the Fundamentals of CEREC® crowns-in-a-day, Galileos Integration, Advanced Posterior Quadrants, and Tooth Replacement; DOCS Oral Conscious Sedation; The World of Bone Grafting and Bone Biology for Dental Students and Residents; and Advanced Posterior Quadrants and Tooth Replacement.

In addition to contributing her formidable skills to her mother’s practice and learning new and advanced dental techniques, Dr. Eliassen is a generous volunteer. She volunteered her dentistry and her time through college: She participated in THON, the largest student-run philanthropy in the nation, which raises money for the Four Diamonds fund in order to fund cancer research and financially support the families affected by pediatric cancer. Her participation included working for the communications committee, in which she supervised communications between the THON overall committee, SAAB (Student-athlete Advisory Board), and the numerous Division 1 Athletic teams at Penn State. Her greatest memory of participating in THON was when she had the opportunity to dance – THON culminates in a 46-hour no sleep, no sitting dance marathon.

In addition to THON, she spent time as a Penn Pal writing letters several times a year to local Pennsylvania elementary school classrooms, discussing leadership, time management, the importance of education and making good, healthy choices. She also worked as a Shadow Day volunteer, supervising and guiding several local Pennsylvania elementary school students around Pennsylvania State University in order to highlight a day in the life of a student-athlete. Other non-dental volunteer work includes coordinated and facilitated the set-up and operation of Special Olympics All-Sports Day; volunteering to help gather, transport, and organize donated food items to the Meals on Wheels center; and weekly tutoring of students in math and science.

She volunteered at the 45th Street Dental Clinic and the Longview Dental Clinic, both low income clinics. Dr. Eliassen also served as the WAGD Class of 2015 Student Representative as well as participating in the 2013 WAGD House of Delegates in Nashville, TN.  Dr. Eliassen worked at the Lake Spokane Clinic as part of her extended rotation for the University of Washington RIDE Program.

Dr. Eliassen married her best friend and companion, Perry L. Eliassen in August 2014. Perry hails from Denver, Colorado, where he graduated from Colorado State University with a B.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics in 2011. While at CSU, he was an active member of the Division 1 CSU wrestling team, volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, and educator and volunteer for the National Youth Leadership Training. He furthered his education with an MBA from University of Phoenix while working at a Rose Medical Center in Denver. After moving to Seattle to be closer to his wife, he obtained a job in dietetics and nutrition at Seattle Children’s Hospital, where he specialized in rare metabolic disorder nutrition. Dr. Eliassen and Perry have two girls: Genevieve and Madelyn.

Meet Dr. James Garduño

Dr. James Garduño is a local to the Pacific Northwest, being raised in Clarkston, WA and later receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, ID. Shortly after graduating from LCSC, he married his best friend, Melanie. Following their wedding they quickly made the trek to Glendale, AZ where Dr. Garduño attended Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine. He and Melanie enjoyed their time in Arizona while he pursued his dream of becoming a dentist, but upon graduation made the return to the Pacific Northwest, where they feel most at home. Fond memories spending summers in the greater Spokane area and Coeur d’Alene have greatly impacted him and his decision to return to this area to practice dentistry, settle down and start a family.

Dr. Garduño is Invisalign certified with clinical experience in many aspects of general dentistry including same day Crown and Bridge (CEREC), Tooth Colored Fillings, Extractions and Root Canal Therapy. He is an active member of the Spokane District Dental Society, Washington State Dental Association, American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry and American Academy of Clear Aligners. Upon graduating he has taken many Continuing Education courses to better serve his patients and to satisfy his craving for learning and being the best dentist he can be for his patients.

Dr. Garduño loves interacting with his patients and creating lasting personal connections, which played a large part in his desires to be a dentist. Helping his patients achieve better health and improved self-confidence motivates him in his goal to ensure each patient has the best dental experience they’ve ever had. He is dedicated to delivering the highest level of care to every patient and every smile by delivering high quality, comprehensive dentistry. His gentle touch and demeanor are one of the things his patients appreciate the most.

Upon Dr. Garduño’s and Melanie’s return to the Pacific Northwest, Melanie has since started her Master’s of Occupational Therapy degree at Eastern Washington University and they have welcomed their beautiful daughter Mara in January of 2023. He and Melanie also have a dog named Mulder (they’re avid X-Files fans!) and a cat named Titan. While in Arizona, they became quite the “foodies” and love trying new restaurants here in Spokane. When not in the office, you’ll find him either enjoying a football or basketball game, or outdoors either hiking, camping or fishing.