Harborview Family Dental has been around since the early 1960s when Dr. Allen Young started the practice. Currently, Dr. Gary Madison and Dr. Grant Nelson operate the general dental practice. Dr. Madison grew up in Duluth, graduated from the University of Minnesota Dental school in 1990 and has been practicing in Duluth ever since. Dr. Nelson grew up in the Twin Cities, graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2001 and has been practicing with Dr. Madison since then. Most recently, Dr. Melissa Madison has joined Harborview Family Dental. She grew up in Hermantown, graduated from ATSU Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health, and immediately returned home to begin her career with us.
Our HVFD dentists love what they do and would be happy to provide service for you. Dr. Madison, Dr. Nelson and Dr. Melissa Madison stay involved with the Duluth community, church, are members of the Minnesota Dental Association, American Dental Association, Northeastern District Dental Society, and they actively volunteer with the Lake Superior College Hygiene Clinic, MN Mission of Mercy, and Give Kids a Smile Day.
My family consists of my wife Patti, oldest son John, daughter Melissa, youngest son Thomas, and a Springer Spaniel named Neli. Our family and friends enjoy cabin time and all the activities the lake has to offer. Hunting, fishing, travel, sports, and coaching youth sports has been a big part of my life. The YMCA in the mornings before work, walking, and biking are exercise outlets. I continue to love my job and feel blessed this is the profession I chose. The staff in the office, here at Harborview Family Dental, is excellent and makes coming to work a pleasure. I feel honored, grateful, and humbled treating our patients here at HVFD.
My wife Elaine and I have four kids, two being of the canine variety. Micah is our eldest son, and Annalise is our younger daughter. We all love the outdoors and are active skiing, running, biking, doing triathlons, camping, canoeing, hiking, fishing and hunting. My wife and I were both born in the Twin Cities, but we truly love Duluth. You can often find us running on the Superior Hiking Trail, cross country skiing at Lester, or canoeing on Lake Superior. Becoming a dentist and working with our wonderful staff has been one of the better decisions I've made in my life. I enjoy going to work each day and feel very fortunate to be able to help others improve their oral health.
After attending college in Florida and then dental school in Missouri, it feels great to be back home in Minnesota. My high school sweetheart and husband, Connor, and I reside in the country and enjoy all things outdoors. Roxi, my mini goldendoodle, and I especially appreciate running all the trails the northland has to offer. Travel and ice cream also brings happiness to my life. Along with biology and dental degrees, I obtained a Certificate in Public Health - Dental Emphasis. Before joining HVFD full-time, I also worked at the Lake Superior Community Health Center. Events like Give Kids a Smile and Mission of Mercy are ways I like to give back, as well as volunteering at the Lake Superior College Hygiene Clinic. I’m a Harbortown Rotary member, serve on Lake Superior College’s Dental Hygiene Advisory Committee and also on the Northeastern District Dental Society Executive Council. I feel blessed to be in the dental profession, helping people overcome their dental fears and smile more, especially here at HVFD.