Our team

Doctors

K.J. Sturhahn, DMD

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Morgan

Morgan joined Buffalo Prairie in October of 2021 as Financial Coordinator, at our Broadway location.  She was born in Clovis, New Mexico and currently resides in Quincy, IL with her Husband, Lukas, and her two sons, Nash and Westyn.  Outside of work Morgan enjoys spending time with her family, sporting events, and traveling.

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.

Jasmine

Jasmine was born in Belleville, IL and currently resides in Camp Point, IL with her boyfriend, Braeton. Jasmine joined Buffalo Prairie in 2023 at our Broadway location. Outside of work she enjoys photography, thrifting, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

Dental Assistants

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.

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.

Jordin

Jordin was born in Putnam, Connecticut. She currently resides in Clayton, IL with her Husband, Justin and their two children, Willow and Blaze. Jordin joined our team in 2023 as a dental assistant and hygiene assistant. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family, jeep riding, and spending as must time outdoors as possible.

Paige

Paige was born and raised in Fort Madison, IA, where she currently resides with her boyfriend and dog. Paige joined the Buffalo Prairie team in July of 2023 as a Dental Assistant. Outside of work she enjoys taking her dog, Barrett, on adventures to different places to hike or swim. She also loves spending time with her family and friends, boating, traveling, being in nature and spending time out in the sun.

Alanna

Alanna was born in Fort Kent, ME and currently resides in Warsaw, IL with her husband Justin and their six kids. Alanna joined the Buffalo Prairie team in 2023 as a Dental Assistant. Outside of work she likes to spend time hanging out with her family and friends and being outdoors. She is very busy with all her kids and the different sports they play. She enjoys watching her favorite college football team, the Auburn Tigers, every Saturday during football season.

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

Roni

Roni was born and raised in Kahoka, Mo. She currently resides in Fort Madison, IA with her husband Cole, and 2 dogs, Koda and Ginger. She joined Buffalo Prairie in January of 2020. Outside of work Roni enjoys gardening, painting and spending time with family.

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