About Us
Dr. Kris Mendoza, DDS
Hello, my name is Kris Mendoza. I grew up in Fresno, CA where I fell in love with spending time in the mountains. Influenced by my parents, I knew I wanted to pursue a career serving others and decided on a career in dentistry. I attended the University of the Pacific as a pre-dental student, where I earned my Bachelors of Science in Biology. I continued my studies at the UCLA School of Dentistry where I earned my Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree. During my time at UCLA I served as the President of the American Student Dental Association, representing and advocating on behalf of every dental student in the country. I developed an interest in access to dental services and wanted to help those who would otherwise be unable to receive dental care. This led me to pursue a career in dental anesthesiology, working with various patient populations during my residency at UCLA.
Upon graduation, I was drawn to Colorado for its active and outdoor lifestyle. I continue to work with multiple patient populations all throughout Colorado as a dentist anesthesiologist and enjoy serving those in need. When I am not working, you can find me running trails or climbing mountains! I enjoy working in the outdoor industry and competing in obstacle course races and ultra-marathons. I decided to start RMDA in an attempt to create a better working environment for our patients, our offices, and our staff. I believe that through the service of others, we can create a better experience for everyone!
Credentials:
American Dental Board of Anesthesiology Diplomate
Dental Anesthesiology, UCLA
Doctor of Dental Surgery, UCLA
Bachelors of Science, University of the Pacific
Dr. Jane Gumangan, DDS
Dr. R. Jane Gumangan was born and raised in Loma Linda, CA. After graduating with a Bachelor’s in Nursing from Loma Linda University, it was on a mission trip to Fiji that she discovered an interest and passion for dentistry. While pursuing her goal of entering dental school, she worked as a nurse in the Surgical/Trauma ICU as well as Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). She received a Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry and worked as a general practitioner for one year in Tucson, AZ. Following that year, she further pursued her training, and graduated from Loma Linda University’s Dental Anesthesiology program.
Dr. Jane is a Southern California Native, who enjoys traveling, mission trips, and outdoor activities in her free time.
Credentials:
Dental Anesthesiology, Loma Linda University
Doctor of Dental Surgery, Loma Linda University School of Dentistry
Bachelor's in Nursing, Loma Linda University
Dr. Kira Douglas, DMD
Dr. Kira Douglas grew up in the beautiful foothills of Boulder, Colorado with her twin sister. She attended Colorado State University, where she graduated with honors with her Bachelor of Science in Biology. From a young age she was inspired by her mother, a nurse, to become a medical provider, with the goal of helping patients find relief from pain, restore functionality, and boost their confidence. This is what led her to pursue a career in dentistry. In 2019 she was awarded her DMD, graduating top 15% in her class at Oregon Health and Sciences University in Portland, Oregon.
Dr. Douglas practiced as a general dentist in Washington State for two years following graduation. During this time, she found that there were many people that could not access necessary medical and dental care due to fear and anxiety, disability, or even young age. This led her to pursue a career in anesthesiology. Dr. Douglas matched to UPMC in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for her anesthesia residency. During this three-year hospital program, Dr. Douglas completed off-service rotations such as general medicine, emergency medicine, critical care and cardiology. She learned to provide general, regional, and neuraxial anesthesia for patients of all ages and health backgrounds. Dr. Douglas strives to provide safe and effective anesthesia, tailored to each patient’s needs, to allow everyone access to the medical/dental care they require. After almost a decade living away from Colorado, Dr. Douglas is excited to be returning home. When not in the office, she likes exploring the great outdoors with her significant other and three dogs. She also has a passion for traveling, gardening, volunteer medical trips, teaching, and supporting other women in STEM careers.
Credentials:
Anesthesiology, UPMC
Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry, Oregon Health and Sciences University
Bachelors of Science, Colorado State University
Dr. Jasmine Hodges, DDS
Dr. Jasmine Hodges grew up in Houston, Texas. She attended Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans, where she graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. She went on to earn her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree and a certificate in public health from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. After dental school, she completed a two-year General Practice Residency (GPR) at LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, followed by a residency in dental anesthesiology at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, New York.
Dr. Hodges was drawn to Colorado for its health-oriented, active lifestyle. In her free time, she enjoys working out, cooking, and traveling, and she looks forward to exploring the outdoors and improving her skiing.
Credentials:
Board Eligible, American Dental Board of Anesthesiology (ADBA)
Certificate in Dental Anesthesiology, St. Barnabas Hospital
General Practice Residency, LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans
Doctor of Dental Surgery, Meharry Medical College
Certificate in Public Health, Meharry Medical College
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana
Dr. Cara Riley, DMD, MS
Dr. Cara J. Riley is a dentist anesthesiologist with over a decade of experience in both the academic and private practice settings. She worked as an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology at Children’s Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado Schoolof Medicine for much of her career, and currently provides anesthesia services in hospitals, surgery centers, and in mobile practice across the country. Dr. Riley completed her undergraduate training at Georgetown University and spent three years working for Under Armour before earning her DMD degree from Harvard School of Dental Medicine. She then completed a dental anesthesiology residency and earned a master’s degree at The Ohio State University. A Diplomate and Past President of the American Dental Board of Anesthesiology, Dr. Riley is also faculty for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s sedation and simulation courses and for Sedation Academy. A dedicated scholar, Dr. Riley has authored numerous peer-reviewed journalarticles and textbook chapters focused on sedation and anesthesia. Originally from coastal Maine, Dr. Riley now splits her time between Colorado and Washington. Beyond her professional life, Dr. Riley enjoys charting new adventures with her two spirited sons, Weston and Mac.
Bailey Kowalczyk – Administrative Director
Bailey grew up in upstate New York and pursued running collegiately at Clemson University. Following Clemson, she finished her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Integrative Physiology at CU Boulder. She was drawn to the running community here and decided to call Colorado home.Bailey continues to balance her two passions, running and medicine as she prepares for physician assistant’s school. She is currently a professional trail runner, competing on mountains throughout the world. She hopes to continue to balance medicine and running throughout her career.
Cali Schweikhart - Office Experience Coordinator
Cali was born and raised in the Hudson Valley, in Cold Spring, NY. She graduated summa cum laude from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY with a degree in Psychology. Cali moved to Colorado in the summer of 2020 and fell in love immediately! She loves the outdoors and all of the beauty and adventure that Colorado has to offer.
Cali has a variety of different passions, and is a private tutor, coach, and obstacle course/trail running athlete. She also enjoys working in social media and marketing, and is grateful to be able to bring these passions into her work at Rocky Mountain Dental Anesthesia.
