Our Team

Dr. Austin Pate

Houston-born Dr. Austin Pate, D.D.S. was raised in Kingsport and attended Dobyns-Bennett High School. He was a two-year captain of the soccer team, played All-State for two years and was the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ 2012 Region Athlete of the Year. As a member of the BUDS program, he provided daily assistance to students with disabilities. A Tennessee Virginia (TN/VA) Scholar, he graduated in 2013 having been selected out of a class of 450 students for a 25-member senior leadership program.

A 2017 graduate of Messiah College in Grantham, PA, Dr. Pate graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Applied Health Science and a minor in Chemistry. During his undergraduate career, Dr. Pate volunteered with the Special Olympics Program as well as the New Hope Program tutoring elementary-aged children. He shadowed for over 250 hours with four different practices and completed graduation requirements a semester early before walking with his class in the spring.Dr. Pate is a 2021 graduate of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s College of Dentistry, where he was a recipient of the Harold Cloogman, D.D.S. Scholarship for Academic Achievement. A member of the Xi Psi Phi dental fraternity, Dr. Pate also holds memberships in the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) and the Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA).

Outside of work, Dr. Pate is a lover of the great outdoors who spends his leisure time golfing, biking, hunting, fishing and snow-skiing. An active member of Kingsport’s Mountain View United Methodist Church, he also attends Christ United Methodist Church in Memphis. Dr. Pate enjoys close relationships with his older brother (a Radiology resident in Norfolk, Virginia) and his parents, who still reside in Kingsport.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

We pride ourselves in excellence and the highest standard of care. Our technology is state of the art with digital radiology, which reduces radiation exposure, digital intraoral and extraoral photographs, bleaching, endodontics, and cosmetic dentistry. We also pride ourselves in being as conservative as possible with treatment. Even though we use state of the art equipment and procedures, we still base this on sound clinical research and not just fad procedures that are so popular today.

Cheryl D. Goins,
Certified Dental Assistant, Registered Dental Hygienist

Cheryl attended the University of Tennessee in 1979. She attended the Dental Assisting Program in 1980 to 1981 and received certification as a Dental Assistant.

She worked for a year at the University of Tennessee General Dentistry as a dental assistant. Cheryl also attended East Tennessee State University from 1982 to 1984 and graduated in Dental Hygiene with Summa Cum Laude.

Cheryl and her husband Roger have a son, daughter, and son-in-law who reside in Knoxville. She enjoys bicycling, gardening, lake life and keeping her two Yorkies happy.

Robyn Fair,
Certified Dental Assistant, Registered Dental Assistant

Robyn attended the Dental Assistant Program in Knoxville, Tennessee and received certification as a Dental Assistant in 1978. She then received her Dental Assistant registration in 2003.

She worked in Huntsville, Alabama for 20 years, and has worked with Dr. Evans since 2003.

Robyn has two daughters and five grandchildren.

Janet Copeland,
Certified Dental Assistant, Registered Dental Assistant

Janet attended the Dental Assistant Program in Knoxville, Tennessee, and received her registration as a Dental Assistant. Janet currently has over 20 years experience as a Dental Assistant. Janet has worked for Dr. Evans for over 10 years.

Sherry Whillock,
Registered Dental Hygienist

Sherry has been a Registered Dental Hygienist for nearly 25 years. She is a 1994 graduate of Meharry Medical College, where she earned the All American Scholar Award and remained on the Dean’s List throughout the Dental Hygiene Program.

Sherry resides in Knoxville with her husband and two wonderful children. She is a member of Central Baptist Church of Bearden.

Annelise Armbruster

Annelise has been in dentistry for over 5 years. She loves what Cornerstone stands for: patient care and connection.

Born and raised in California, Annelise moved to TN in July 2021. She loves it and claims she will never go back! Annelise loves Jesus & spending time with family.

Lindsey Johnson, Office Manager

Lindsey was born and raised right down the road in Karns, Tenn. She has over 10 years of experience working in a dental front office. Her favorite part of her job is getting to have a front row seat to watch patients be happy and proud of their beautiful smiles. When she isn’t working, she loves spending quality time with her family and friends. She also enjoys reading, fishing, vacationing, trips to the lake or pool and walking her 3 dogs at the park.

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Jade Orrell, Dental Hygienist

A Southern California native, Jade and her family moved to Knoxville in February 2022. She fell in love with the people, culture, and most importantly, the Southern hospitality. She enjoys traveling, hiking, and exploring new things.

She was a Registered Dental Assistant since 2012 before attending Concorde Career College in San Diego, CA for the Dental Hygiene Program. She remained in the Dean’s List throughout the program and graduated with a Summa Cum Laude in 2019.

Jade’s priority is to make patients feel at ease by building confidence, trust and friendship with each patient. She is also devoted to educating patients based on their individual needs to help improve their oral and overall health.

Melissa McAlister, Practice Coordinator

Melissa is originally from Virgina and moved to Knoxville from South Carolina where she became a stay-at-home mom to 2 amazing kids. After 17 years she has reentered the dental field where she worked for over 9 years previously as a dental assistant. Her passion is connecting with patients and making sure they always feel special. She enjoys traveling, hiking and spending quality time with friends and family.