Our Staff
Dr. Mark Knollman was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. While attending Hazelwood High School, he was an exchange student in the Black Forest, Germany in 1976. This was a powerful experience and ultimately influenced his decision on where to settle. 1976 was also the year that he had his front tooth knowcked out playing hockey! He received a BA in chemistry from the University of Missouri-St. Louis before embarking on his dental education at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Asheville, North Carolina, having similarities to the Black Forest, became his personal and professional home in 1988. After seven years as an associate, he left a group practice in 1995 and became the first dentist in the area to incorporate digital technology: having digital radiography and fully networked operatory workstations. In 1997, Dr. Knollman began his journey at the Pankey Institute. The Pankey/Dawson philosophy influenced the design of his office constructed in 2002 incorporating state-of-the-art technology. Mark enjoys golf (which replaced hockey in 2002 - something to dod with disability insurance and a new mortage). His favorite hobby is traveling with his family, wife-Lisa, daughter-Emily and son-Christopher. In April 2006, they will return to the Black Forest to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Mark's visit with the Friese Family of Hofstetten near Freiburg, Germany.
Christine Curvey attended dental assisting school at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. She graduated in 2000 as a Certified Dental Assistant. She began working with Dr. Knollman in June 2000. Christine is married to John and they have two daughters, Kristin and Cassidy. Outside of the office, Christine enjoys football games, scrapbooking and family outings.
Brandy Nix chose dental assisting as her career and attended Western Piedmont Community College. In 1998, she graduated as a Certified Dental Assistant. She has been employed with Dr. Knollman since January 2001. Brandy is married to Shannon with her daughter Kennedy, his children Samantha, Caleb and Teryn and their bulldog Georgia. She enjoys shopping, going to the movies and traveling.
Dawn Hicks graduated from Dental Assisting School in 1993 from Western Piedmont Community College. She continued her dental education by attending dental hygiene at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College in 1995. She worked as a hygienist for 10 years before becoming Office Administrator with Dr. Knollman in 2004. She is married to Lamar and has a precious baby girl, Adelyn Grace. Her hobbies include reading, music, gardening, shoppping and spending time with her family.