Gerlach Family Dentistry

Dr. Chip spent the preponderance of his childhood in Louisville, graduating from Seneca High School and attending University of Louisville. While pursing his undergraduate education at U of L, he played baseball for four years, then went on to graduate from the School of Dentistry in 1981.

Dr. Chip is not just a good dentist, he is considered The Friendliest Dentist by his patients and staff. When people refer a dentist to their friends, they refer Dr. Chip and Gerlach Family Dentistry because he and his staff treat patients well and provide the great dental results that have made them local dental heroes.

Dr. Jo Ellen, was born and raised in Springfield, Ohio. She then went on to play tennis for the University of Kentucky, graduating in dental hygiene with a Bachelor of Science. Dr. Jo Ellen then attended the University of Louisville School of Dentistry where she met and married Dr. Chip, graduating in 1982. Together they have four children.

Occasionally one individual can be the force of an entire organization. This can surely be said of Chris Wolz. Chris represents GFD in every way; from her intense dedication to hard work to her compassionate caring attitude while working with patients. Chris was born in Louisville, Kentucky and attended Moore High School. She has been with GFD for 30 years but is still very young at heart. She is married with two beautiful children: Caitlyn is a freshman at the University of Kentucky, and Dustin is a sophomore at Taylorsville High School. Along with her husband, Herman, the family is very active in sports as well as functions Fisherville Baptist Church. If you have any questions about Gerlach Family Dentistry just ask Chris…She grew up here and knows the family well!

Karen has worked at Gerlach Family Dentistry over 25 years and states, “The Gerlach's are family to me.” Her position is expanded duty dental assistant and a team player. She graduated from Moore High School and attended Jefferson State Vocational School to attain her dental assisting certification.

Karen is happily married to Robert “Rob” D.Heiskell for 18 years. She has been blessed with two wonderful children, Madison Layne and Robert David Heiskell III also known as “Trey”. Madison is 16 yrs old and attends Bardstown High School where she is an all-star soccer player, as well as, a cheerleader. Trey is 14yrs old and attends Bardstown Middle school where he plays soccer, basketball, and baseball. When she's not cheering on her children she enjoys exercising, mainly running or Jazzercise, listening to country music, and attending church on Sunday. Karen has a female boxer named Miracle. Miracle got her name because Karen says “It's a Miracle we have a dog!” Karen's future goals are to retire young and spend as much quality time with her family as possible.

Gina is the lone surviving employee of Dr. Arch J. Lewis, the original dentist that worked out of our Third Street and Woodlawn location. She has remained a cornerstone of this practice as she is friendly and familiar with many of the South End's prominent original families.

Professionally, Gina is a registered Dental Hygienist, who graduated from the University of Louisville in 1983. Her interests include serving the well being of her family, helping friends and participation in a variety of sports. Gina grew up as a junior golfer under the tutelage of her father, Bill Brunsman, the long standing but now retired professional at Owl Creek Country Club in Anchorage. However, she has more recently been involved in USTA league tennis where she consistently improves and advances in skill level. She is married to husband Fred, and they are the proud parents of two beautiful children, Trevor who is 19 years old and is a college student, and Kelsey, a sophomore at Louisville Male High School. The family regularly attends Southeast Christian Church and enjoys participating in Bible Study and other spiritual endeavors like attending the annual Easter Pageant.

Tarra has been a stalwart of our front office for 5years. She is focused and aims to please patients in their quest for an optimal dental experience. She has been expertly trained to inform patients on how to utilize their dental insurance for maximum benefit and minimal financial pain. Tarra graduated from North Bullitt high school in 2002 and is currently pursuing a nursing career at the University of Louisville.

She was recently married in June 2010. As a child and an early adult she was active in Jefferson County 4-H and continued to Murray State University as a part of their rodeo team where she excelled in the discipline of barrel racing. She is an avid animal lover and currently has a small array of animals consisting of two dogs “Natilie & Tashya”, a cat named “Moses”, a cockatiel named “Jack”, and a Quarter Horse named “Doc”. Her future goals consist of graduating from nursing school, having children, and traveling the world! A typical weekend consists of going to the lake with her husband Nate, attending a country concert, or hanging out with her family. Tarra enjoys reading Nicholas Sparks novels and is a parishioner of Saint Gabriel Catholic Church.

Amanda has been a receptionist for Gerlach Family Dentistry since 2007. Outside of work she spends time with her family and friends. Her favorite activities are scrapbooking, reading, watching movies and listening to music. She enjoys summer the most because she can go hiking, swimming and take long walks with her Chihuahua Bella.

Margaret has been a licensed dental hygienist since 1973, and worked as a dental assistant beginning in the 1960’s. She is married to Dan, who has retired from UPS, with two adult children, both graduates of the University of Louisville. She enjoys working with patients and especially with children. During February’s Dental Health month, she presents a dental program to preschools and kindergartens.

Margaret is a member of The Church of the Ascension of Our Lord. She enjoys gardening with flowers. She does a variety of sewing and crafts, and hopes to get back into stained glass work soon.

Lindsey has been working with the Gerlach's since August of 2010. She grew up in Utah where she graduated from the Utah College of Dental Hygiene. She moved to Louisville with her husband Wes last summer so he could complete an orthodontic residency at the University of Louisville. She has enjoyed living here in "the South" and loves being a hygienist. She enjoys health and fitness and recently ran the Chicago Marathon. She also likes traveling, scrapbooking, hunting, fishing, boating, and 4-wheeling.

Kathy's bio will be updated shortly.

Julie is a 1982 graduate of the University of Kentucky dental hygiene program. She has practiced part-time all 19 of those years and has been part of the Gerlach Family Dentistry Team for 2 years now.

She has one 24 year old son who has recently married a wonderful young lady. Julie is active at Southeast Christian Church and enjoys the outdoors especially camping and golf.