Our Team

K.J. founded Buffalo Prairie Dental in 1996 in Pittsfield, Il. with current locations in Quincy, IL and Keokuk, IA. He is now partners with Richard J Wright, DDS and Shyheme T. McElroy, DMD. K.J. graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine in Alton, IL in 1996. He has had advanced training and Continuing Education at Pacific Aesthetic Continuum, Rondeau Functional Orthodontics, Invisalign, Osteo Ready Implantology, Dr. Michael Tischler's Prettau Zirconia Implant Bridge Course and International Academy of Sleep.

K.J. is married with three wonderful children, 2 daughters and 1 son. He enjoys hunting, skiing, boating and spending time outdoors. Even though KJ no longer practices clinical dentistry he still enjoys supporting the practices and helping others grow in dentistry.

Rick was born and raised in the Quincy area and has over 35 years of experience in the dental field. He worked as a dental technician making crowns and bridges before attending dental school. After graduating from Culver-Stockton College cum laude, he attended Loyola University School of Dentistry. He began practicing dentistry with his father, William D. Wright, in Camp Point, Illinois after graduating from dental school in 1982. Upon his father's retirement in 1995, Dr. Wright established his own practice in Quincy, IL. In 2019, he merged with Buffalo Prairie Dental and now co-owns the practices with K.J. Sturhahn, DMD and Shyheme McElroy, DMD.

He has advanced training focusing on oral surgery, implants, microdentistry, TMJ, occlusal studies and orthodontics, including Invisalign. He is also licensed by the States of Illinois and Iowa to provide conscious sedation to his patients. Rick is on staff at Blessing Hospital and has served on the Adams County Health Department Board of Directors since 2005 and is currently serving as President.

Rick has been married to his wife, Ann, since 1984. They have three children, Laura (son in-law Chase), Andrew (daughter-in-law Andrea) and Graham. Outside of work he enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, grilling, skiing, flying and playing chess.

Shy was born and raised in Chicago, IL. Striving to be the first person in his family to go to college, Shy decided to attend the University of Iowa. After completing under-grad, and being indecisive as to what field of medicine to go into, he attended a conference for pre-med. That is where he learned about dentistry and the true impact it makes in someone's overall health. In hopes of helping others take pride in their oral health, he chose to attend the University of Louisville for dental school and graduated in May of 2021.

Shy joined Buffalo Prairie in 2021. He now co-owns the practices with K.J. Sturhahn, DMD, and Rick Wright, DDS. He is a member of the Illinois and Iowa Academy of General Dentistry. Shy currently resides in Quincy, IL with his dog, Cash. Outside of work he enjoys traveling, going to concerts, and spending time with friends and family.

Dr. Asil Ellauzi was born and raised in Amman, Jordan. She obtained her Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree from Jordan University of Science and Technology in 2015 , and pursued a Master's Degree in Prosthodontics at the University of Michigan.

Dr. Ellauzi has advanced training focusing on treatment planning of complex cases, complete oral rehabilitation, cosmetic dentistry, digital smile design, and implant rehabilitation. Dr. Ellauzi enjoys working as a team with patients for optimal results, because everyone is coming from a different position in life and has different needs and goals.

Asil currently resides in Quincy, Il , with her Husband and children. She enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with her family.