Meet the Team Behind Your Smile
Welcome
Compassionate Care. Trusted Expertise. A Team That Feels Like Family.
At McNiel Family Dentistry, we’re proud to be a trusted family dentist in East Lansing, MI. We care for patients of all ages across Ingham County, offering personalized general and cosmetic dental services in a comfortable, family-friendly setting. Our goal is simple: to help you feel at ease while achieving a healthy, beautiful smile you can be proud of.
Meet Dr. Jennifer Shaheen-McNiel, DDS
Dr. McNiel graduated from Michigan State University in 2005 with her Bachelor of Science in Human Biology. After graduation, she went on to attend the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry. Dr. McNiel graduated with her Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree in 2009.
She enjoys performing a wide variety of procedures on patients of all ages. She especially loves performing smile makeovers. Her goal is to make each and every one of her patients as comfortable as possible during treatment. She also aims at giving each patient a confident smile.
She and her family live in East Lansing, Michigan. Dr. McNiel and her husband, Steve, have two daughters, Charlotte Grace and Evelyn Faith, and two dogs, Zeus (GSD) and Winston (PW Corgi). Dr. McNiel enjoys traveling and cooking when she is not at work.
Fun Fact: Dr. McNiel grew up in a dental office. Her father was a dentist too. Her very first job in high school was working in her father’s office sterilizing dental instruments.
Professional Memberships
Dr. McNiel is a member of:
- The American Dental Association
- The Michigan Dental Association
- The Central Dental District
- The American Academy of Facial Esthetics
- The Official Mommy Dentists in Business
- A graduate of the Clinical Mastery Series
- An almost graduate of the prestigious Kois Group
Meet Our Team
Barb Warschefsky
Office Manager, RDH, RDA
Bio
Barb grew up in a household that didn’t think twice about eating lots of candy. Her dad would give her a dollar to go to the local candy store, and she would spend the whole dollar. Pretty scary when you realize she grew up in the days when you could buy two pieces of candy for a penny!
She was fortunate; her parents believed in going to the dentist. When Barb was only 7 years old, her dentist had spent so much time filling cavities for her that he talked her into going into a career in dentistry. It’s been a rewarding career spanning over 50 years. She worked as a dental assistant, a dental hygienist, and now has found another niche managing our office, our computers, and sharing her wisdom regarding insurance plans for our patients.
Fun Fact: Barb’s family tore down their summer cottage and are building a summer home in the upper peninsula in Engadine, MI. Their family loves having a place to build memories with friends and family.
Julie Pickelman
RDA
Bio
Julie is from Saginaw, Michigan, and has been on our team for over 11 years. A graduate of Grand Rapids Community College’s Dental Assisting program, she brings over 32 years of assisting experience and 3 years as a Dental Office Manager. Her passion for dentistry shines through in everything she does. She has been married to her husband, Bart, for over 30 years and has two children. Addie and her husband, Kevin, are expecting their first child, and Adam is an apprentice electrician.
Fun Fact: Julie has many passions, but one you might not know about is her love of boating — and she is beyond excited to welcome her first grandchild!
Jenna Canning
DA
Bio
With over 6 years in dentistry, she started working with Dr. McNiel in 2024. Jenna enjoys coming into the office and being a part of such a great team. One of her favorite parts about her job is meeting new people and helping patients feel comfortable in the dental chair.
She grew up and currently lives in Laingsburg, Michigan with her spouse, Keith, and daughter Melza. They have two cats, Tucker and Tyson. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, and spending time with family.
Fun Fact: Jenna and her husband, Keith, bought and live in his childhood home that Keith grew up in.
Anush Petrosyan Haller
RDH
Bio
With over 20 years of experience in dental hygiene, Anush has been a valued member of our team since 2006, bringing both clinical expertise and a genuine passion for patient care. In 2007, she joined the Lansing Community College Dental Hygiene Program as an Associate Professor, where she enjoys mentoring and educating future dental hygienists.
Anush is dedicated to both the science and artistry of dental hygiene, combining advanced knowledge with a gentle, patient-centered approach. She also holds a degree in Preventive Medicine from Armenia, where she grew up, further enhancing her comprehensive understanding of health.
Outside the office, she enjoys practicing yoga and embraces a balanced, wellness-focused lifestyle.
Fun fact: You may notice a subtle blend of accents—English is her third language, following Armenian and Russian.
Marta Kavanagh
RDH
Bio
Marta is a Registered Dental Hygienist and has been with our office since 2014. She got her degree from Lansing Community College, maintaining status on the Dean’s List and President’s List throughout the duration of her schooling. Marta is Nitrous Oxide Certified, State of Michigan Radiograph Certified, CPR Certified and licensed in Local Anesthesia.
She and her husband Jeff, live in Okemos with their daughter Nya, and twin boys, Liam and Nolan. In her free time she enjoys traveling, reading, yoga and crossword puzzles.
Fun Fact: Marta is a lover of creatures big and small, and is always willing to go out of her way to save an injured animal.
Trista Malitz
Administrative Assistant, MBA
Bio
Trista is our Administrative Assistant and joined our team in July 2026. A proud United States Air Force Veteran, Trista served for seven years before being medically retired.
Trista earned her Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management from American Military University in 2025, graduating Summa Cum Laude, followed by her Master of Business Administration in 2026, graduating Magna Cum Laude.
Trista loves connecting with patients and is passionate about creating a welcoming, positive experience for everyone she meets. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her fiancé, William, and their daughter, Maya, at their home in East Lansing. In her free time, Trista enjoys cooking, sewing, and painting.