Meet The Team

Nicole Gordon, DDS

Dentist


Dr. Gordon is a South Lake Tahoe native and graduate of South Tahoe High School. She completed her undergraduate education at the University of San Francisco and attended dental school at New York University College of Dentistry in Manhattan. She graduated from dental school in 2005 and has worked as a general dentist in Gardnerville and Lake Tahoe ever since.

Dr. Gordon's passion for dentistry began at the age of 16 when she worked for a general dentist here in South Tahoe. She has worked in dentistry since that time and stays up to date with oral health research and dental techniques via continuing education. She is a member of the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association and the Sacramento District Dental Society.

Derek Appelblatt, DDS


Dr. Derek Appelblatt is pleased to join Dr. Nicole Gordon and staff here in beautiful Lake Tahoe. Born and raised in Sacramento, he attended UC Santa Cruz (Go Slugs!) before being accepted into dental school at the University of Pacific in San Francisco. Since graduating school, he has continued his studying in many areas of dentistry, and is focused on constantly improving his work through use of DSLR photography. Currently he is enrolled in a mastership course in biomimetic dentistry taught by David and Davey Alleman, and strives to restore every single tooth in the best, most long-term way possible. If you want to find out more about him, or biomimetic dentistry, you can follow his dental instagram @dental_dna. Outside of dentistry Dr. Appelblatt is fueled by nature and actively pursues alpine mountaineering, rock climbing, and paragliding. 

Kim Pevenage

Registered Dental Hygienist


Kim has lived in Tahoe for over 25 years.  She earned her Associates Degree from Lake Tahoe Community College and then went on to earn her Bachelors of Science in Dental Hygiene from Loma Linda University in 1997. Kim started working for Dr. Nicole Gordon part time in 2014, and as of May 2016, has been with Dr. Gordon full time.  Kim and her husband enjoy raising their two daughters in Tahoe.

Lisa Nelson

Registered Dental Hygienist


Lisa grew up in Hauppage on Long Island, New York, she gained her degree in Dental Hygiene at State University of NY. Lisa has been a hygienist for over 35 years and still loves coming to work everyday where she can help others and give back their beautiful smiles. Lisa has lived in Lake Tahoe since 1991. She enjoys hiking, paddle-boarding and snow boarding with her husband, Andy and their two boys, Caden and Brody.

Lindsey Lewallen

Patient Coordinator


Lindsey is our Patient Coordinator and can help you navigate your way through your dental treatment. Lindsey has lived in the Carson Valley since 1997. She is a proud mother of four children. In her spare time she enjoys all of the outdoor activities the Lake Tahoe Basin has to offer.

Christy Mancuso

Registered Dental Assistant


Christy has been working as a dental assistant since 2013 after gaining her Registered Dental Assistant license from Carrington College, Sacramento. She moved to Lake Tahoe in 2019 and joined our dental team. Christy loves helping patients with their dental treatment. In her spare time, she enjoys taking her dog on long hikes river or beach.

Jessi Smith

Dental Assistant


Jessi grew up in Amador County and moved to Lake Tahoe in 2013. Jessi managed the Children's Center at Kirkwood Ski School for 7 years. In 2019, she completed the Dental Assisting program at LTCC. Jessi joined our dental team in 2020 and is excited for her career in dentistry! Jessi enjoys the beautiful outdoors in the Tahoe basin enjoying Hope Valley and the Truckee river with her husband and dog.