K.J. Sturhahn, DMD
K.J. founded Buffalo Prairie Dental in 1996 in Pittsfield, Il. He has since owned three other locations including practices in Keokuk, IA, Macomb, Il and Quincy, IL. He is now a partner with Richard J Wright, DDS and continues to practice in the Keokuk, IA and Quincy, IL locations. 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, Brady Franks Osteo Ready Implantology, Dr. Michael Tischler's Prettau Zirconia Implant Bridge Course and International Academy of Sleep . He is a member of the American Dental Society, Illinois State Dental Association, T.L. Gilmer Society, the Chicago Dental Society, the International Association of Orthodontics and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.
K.J. is married with three wonderful children, 2 daughters and 1 son. He currently resides in Quincy, Il where he enjoys hunting, skiing, boating and spending time outdoors.
Richard J Wright, DDS
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.
Dr. Shy McElroy, DMD
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, BDS
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.
Hygenists
Hygienists
Maggie
Maggie joined Buffalo Prairie in 2004 as a hygiene assistant before graduating from Carl Sandburg as a Dental Hygienist. She currently resides in Warsaw with her husband, Casey, daughter, Sydni, and son, Hugh. Outside of work, Maggie enjoys shopping, gardening and spending time with her family and friends.
Britany
Britany joined Buffalo Prairie in August 2005 as a Hygienist. She is a 2005 graduate of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL. Britany grew up in Mendon, Il and currently resides in Camp Point, Il with her husband, Tracy and two boys, Brody and Bradyn. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Financial Coordinators
Financial Coordinators
Nora
Nora was raised in Houston, Tx and currently resides in Quincy, IL with her husband Seth and their son Eli. Nora joined Buffalo Prairie in 2020 as a Scheduling and Financial Coordinator. Outside of work Nora enjoys spending time with her family, including her many nieces and nephews.
Scheduling Coordinators
Scheduling Coordinators
Tressa
Tressa was born and raised in Keokuk, IA where she currently resides with her husband and 3 kids. Tressa joined the Buffalo Prairie team in August of 2018 as scheduling coordinator. Outside of work her kids keep her busy with their extracurricular activities and she also enjoys being outdoors, shopping and spending time with friends and family.
Dental Assistants
Dental Assistants
Carol
Carol was born and raised in Keokuk, Iowa. She currently resides in Montrose, IA with her husband Larry, white german shepherd Maylee and cat, Hobo. Carol joined Buffalo Prairie in May 2000 as a Dental Assistant. Outside of work Carol enjoys going to car shows and doing yard work.
Erica
Erica was born and raised in Quincy, IL and still resides there with her husband and three children. She joined Buffalo Prairie in 2018 after being a long-time patient. Outside of work she likes to spend time outdoors with her family and friends camping and boating.
Shelby
Shelby is from Kahoka, MO and currently resides in Keokuk, IA with her son. She joined the Buffalo Prairie team in June of 2019 as a Dental Assistant. Before becoming a Dental Assistant, Shelby was a CNA for 6 years. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her son, family and friends.
Kelsey
Kelsey was born in Sedalia MO. She currently resides in Keokuk IA with her husband Jerry and their 4 children. Kelsey joined Buffalo Prairie in 2020 as a Hygiene Assistant. Outside of work, she enjoys doing hair, being outside riding UTVs ,and building their home inspection business.
Lisa
Lisa was born and raised in Adams County and currently resides in Camp Point. She started with Dr. Wright, in 2013, and made the transition with him to Buffalo Prairie Dental in 2019. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her 3 children and 7 grandchildren.
Heather
Heather was born and raised in Liberty, IL where she currently resides with her husband, Donald, and two children, Courtney and Connor. She joined Buffalo Prairie in 2020 as a Hygiene Assistant. She is currently working as a Dental Assistant. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, boating and going for jeep rides.
Financial Operations Manager
Financial Operations Manager
Stacey
Stacey was born in St. Louis, MO. She currently resides in Quincy, IL with her two daughters, Gracie and Stella. Stacey joined Buffalo Prairie in 2018 as an insurance coordinator. Before joining us she spent 10 years in the Army followed by full time employment at Blessing Hospital. In her spare time, Stacey likes baking, scrapbooking, traveling and spending time with family.
Business Operations Manager
Business Operations Manager
Roni
Roni was born and raised in Kahoka, Mo. She currently resides in Fort Madison, IA with her boyfriend, Cole, and 2 dogs, Koda and Ginger. She joined Buffalo Prairie in January of 2020. Outside of work Roni enjoys riding ATV's and spending time with family.