Meet Your Doctors at Cornerstone Family Dentistry
Dr. Mindy
I grew up in a rural area just south of Milan, Illinois, and graduated as valedictorian from Rockridge High School, where I was also a competitive cross country and track athlete. I went on to attend Indiana University in Bloomington, earning All-American honors in cross country while completing my bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry. I also earned a certificate from the Liberal Arts and Management Program through the Kelley School of Business.
During my second year at Indiana University, I discovered my passion for dentistry and decided to pursue it as a career. I later earned my Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine in Alton, Illinois, in 2009.
While at Indiana University, I met my husband, David, who also majored in biology and has been a high school biology teacher in the Quad Cities area ever since. We married in 2007 and have three wonderful children—Hannah, born in 2011; Natalie, born in 2013; and Grant, who completed our family in 2017.
Core Value
- I try to live by the Golden Rule in both my leadership and the way I care for patients. I believe that treating others with the same kindness and respect we hope to receive is something we can put into practice every day—and it’s one of the best ways to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
Core Value
- Dr. Peterson’s favorite core value is the Golden Rule which is to treat others the way you would want to be treated because it can completely shift how you interact with or treat patients and other co-workers.
Dr. Peterson
Dr. Craig Peterson grew up in Milan, IL just outside of the Quad Cities. Beginning in high school, he excelled in science and went on to major in Biology at Augustana College. Craig graduated Salutatorian from Rockridge High School in 2005 and Suma Cum Laude from Augustana College in 2009. He then attended Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine. It was during this time that he met his wife, Lauren. They were married in July of 2011.
After graduating dental school in 2012, the Petersons moved to Racine, WI where Craig worked as a dentist at a community health center. There he had an incredible opportunity to serve patients from all walks of life and provide a wide variety of dental procedures. Lauren has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, a Master’s Degree in Social Work and is a licensed therapist in the state of Illinois. She enjoys country living, travel hacking and serving in the children’s ministry.
Dr. Jackie
Dr. Jackie grew up in Palatine, IL, and in Cedar Rapids, IA. At a young age, she became an avid runner and swimmer. In high school, she enjoyed the health sciences and felt a calling to the medical field. It didn’t take her long to narrow it down to two potential career choices: veterinarian or dentist.
After extensive deliberation, Dr. Jackie decided dentistry would be the route for her. She found after shadowing numerous dental offices in high school that this allowed her to not only relieve people of pain, give back to her community, and work with her hands, but also form those connections with patients that she values and cannot wait to continue to form more connections.
Following high school graduation in 2013, Dr. Jackie went to Luther College to study pre-dental as well as to swim for the team. After a successful career in swimming, a Biology and Liberal Arts degree with a Chemistry minor, she graduated from Luther in 2017 and moved to Iowa City to follow her dreams of becoming a dentist.
Core Value
- One of the things Dr. Jackie most enjoys about Cornerstone is the family environment and Cornerstone’s core values. Her favorite is the Golden Rule and her ability to care for patients as if they were an extension of her own family.
Core Value
- Dr. Foster's favorite Cornerstone core value is Family First. This principle reflects the way she was raised and the values she continues to uphold today. She appreciate being part of an organization that recognizes the importance of balance and supports putting family at the center of our lives and work.
Dr. Foster
Dr. Foster grew up just outside of Rochelle, Illinois, and graduated from Rochelle Township High School in 2006. Throughout high school she stayed active in cross country, track, choir, and vocal jazz, while also working part-time. She continued her education at Northern Illinois University, where she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees before completing her doctorate in 2017.
From a young age, she knew she wanted to become a dentist—even before she had ever met one. That early interest grew into a lifelong passion for helping others achieve healthy, confident smiles. Outside of dentistry, she enjoys spending time with her son, Elijah, who was born in 2009.
Dr. Naert
Dr. Naert grew up in East Moline, Illinois, but spent fourth through sixth grades living in Worms, Germany. He graduated from Alleman High School in Rock Island in 1979, then attended Augustana College before earning his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in 1986.
Dr. Naert first learned about Cornerstone through his father-in-law, who heard from Dr. Peterson’s father that the practice was seeking a new dentist. He reached out to Dr. Peterson—and the rest is history.
He met his wife, Kim, during his senior year of high school. She is now a retired school nurse, and together they have five children and seven grandchildren. Outside of dentistry, I enjoy spending time with my family, biking, hiking, and traveling. I also like to play pickleball and spend time woodworking in my free time.
Core Value
- Dr. Naert's favorite Cornerstone core value is “Willing to Wash the Dishes.” He believes we are all called to help our neighbors and serve others, which is one of the main reasons he chose a career in dentistry. He considers it a privilege to work with the Cornerstone team, where those same values are shared and practiced every day.
Core Value
- My favorite Cornerstone core value is Openness to Change. Life is full of challenges and every day is unique. I believe being adaptable and empathetic/understanding is incredibly beneficial to not only oneself but also others.
Dr. Teja
Dr. Teja grew up in Austin, Texas, where he attended high school and developed early interests in both programming and dentistry. He graduated in 2017 and went on to earn an undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 2020, followed by a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree in 2024. He then completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency at the University of Oklahoma in 2025.
Dr. Teja has always been drawn to healthcare. Dentistry stood out to him because it builds lasting relationships with patients and colleagues while working hands-on to improve oral health.
During residency, Dr. Teja came across a recruiting post for Cornerstone and decided to reach out. After visiting the offices and meeting the team, he was immediately impressed by the culture, kindness, and support within the practice. It’s been an incredible place for him to continue learning, refine his skills, and make a positive impact in the community.
Dr. Teja comes from a close-knit family that includes his parents, who still live in Austin, and an older brother, who lives in Philadelphia and also works in healthcare. Nine years his senior, his brother has always been a great mentor and role model.