|
|
 |
|
|
|
James Kontras, DVM/Owner
 Growing
up in Columbia, Missouri, Dr. Kontras is an only child of
second-generation Greek American parents. As a young person, his major
interest in school was biology. Although he considered becoming a game
biologist, at age 13 he decided to become a veterinarian, a career that
would combine two strong interests, caring for animals and medicine.
Dr. Kontras worked his way through college at his parent's business.
After graduation from veterinary school, he moved to Fort Worth, Texas,
working at Wedgwood Animal Clinic. Moving closer to his family brought
him in to his own clinic here in Kansas City. In 1981, Dr. Kontras
started Plaza Animal Clinic, which he owned and operated for 13 years.
He then joined Cherokee Animal Clinic in 1995.
Dr. Kontras has never regretted his decision to become a veterinarian.
"Helping people and their animal family members for over 27 years has
given me many memorable experiences, but watching a paralyzed dog walk
again after back surgery, or a blind dog see again after cataract
surgery are two memories that make me thankful for the skills I have
been taught." In case you can't tell, Dr. Kontras likes to perform
surgery very much.
His wife, Elizabeth, and he were married in 1996. Elizabeth is
following her interest in learing ceramics and fiber art. They enjoy
each other's artistic endeavors, as Dr. Kontras has an intense interest
in oil and acrylic painting. Art galleries and museums are a mutual
pastime of theirs, as are ballroom dancing, cooking, gardening, theater
and travel. Their favorite destinations are New Mexico and the
Pacific Northwest.
Their "four footed" family includes Pippin and Mischka, the two older
cats, and Kiki and Babette, the two younger cats. They have two sons in
college: Evan studies Engineering at the University of Missouri and
Alexi is pursuing his MBA at Rockhurst College. As a family, they
embrace their cultural heritage---his Greek and Elizabeth's Slovak
background---which makes for some very terrific ethnic feasts. Dr.
Kontras sings in the choir at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. His
sports are golf and tennis. When he is not in the garden or painting,
Dr. Kontras can most likely be found relaxing, listening to music and
reading (mostly non-fiction).
|
| |
|
Michael Stenstrom, DVM/Owner
 Dr.
Mike was born and raised in rural Morris County, Kansas near the small
farming community of White City. He worked on the farm throughout his
childhood and teenage years as well as summers and weekends during his
undergraduate years at Kansas State University. His family raised milo,
soybeans, wheat, swine and cattle. They always had cats and dogs as
well. With so many animals, he had constant exposure to veterinarians
and developed a great deal of respect for them. Their veterinarian was
Dr. Kirkeminde. Dr. Mike was amazed at how Dr. Kirkeminde was always
cheerful no matter how late the hour, how cold the night, or how
serious the problem. He can't count the number of times that this
veterinarian saved a baby calf from certain death with his late night
visits. Dr. Kirkeminde's attitude and dedication led a young Dr. Mike
down the path that he had chosen.
While at
Kansas State, Dr. Mike was very active in the Alpha Gamma Rho
fraternity. He served in several leadership positions and was
eventually elected to the Student Senate. Once he entered the College
of Veterinary Medicine, his focus shifted completely to school..at
least until he met his future wife, Kristol, during the third year of
their doctorate.
Kristol and Dr. Mike were married June 11, 1994….just a few weeks
following their graduation from veterinary school. Upon graduation,
Kristol and he decided they would go wherever one of them received the
best opportunity. His goal was to find a mixed animal practice in the
Northern Plains. By chance, Dr. Mike was informed of an opening at
Cherokee Animal Clinic and made a quick detour in order to interview
for the position. "Little did I know that 11 years later I would be
part owner at this unique and remarkable clinic. I truly love the daily
contact with people and their animal companions. It is a joy to
practice medicine in an era when our animal companions are considered
an integral part of the family."
Kristol and
Dr. Mike have three children, Sofia born in October 2000, Arik born in
October 2003, and Kjell, born in July 2006. Sofia loves to do whatever
her parents are doing and is quite the little helper. She loves being
outside and takes wonderful care of all her "babies," doll and stuffed
animals alike. Arik, like most boys, loves trains, planes &
automobiles. If it has wheels, he's all over it. Both the older
children love animals, which is a blessing as the Stenstroms have
several members in their animal family. Currently, their animal family
consists of 2 cats, Gin and Mr. Soot. They also have a shih-tzu,
Nickolas, and a chocolate Lab named Jinks, along with a water garden
teaming with koi.
Dr. Mike's wife, Kristol, worked as a full-time veterinarian in several
unique capacities. She was in general veterinary practice for 2 years
and then moved into the corporate side of veterinary medicine where she
spent nearly 6 years as a research scientist in pharmaceutical
development. She elected to discontinue full-time work after the birth
of their children and now is a stay-at-home mother. She became
certified in veterinary medicine acupuncture in 2003 and currently
holds a part-time teaching position at Colorado State University
assisting in teaching veterinarians from all over North America in the
art and science of veterinary medical acupuncture. In addition to
chasing two very active children, she manages to see acupuncture
clients during the evening and on weekends and is an accredited La
Leche League leader with the Lenexa/Shawnee LLL.
The Stenstroms enjoy the outdoors and their hobbies certainly show that
interest. They thoroughly enjoy gardening and before too long should
meet their goal of having less grass to mow, but more shrubbery to
prune. Water-gardening is an unexpected joy…"little did I know that the
day my wife laid the hose on the ground next to our deck and announced,
"This is where our water garden will be," and that 2 backbreaking days
later as I learned that our house is truly built on solid rock, how
enjoyable it would be to just listen to the sound of the waterfall and
watch the fish swim." Less strenuous activities that they enjoy include
attending KSU athletic events, fishing, and, of course, spending time
at the farm. The farm will always play a large role in their lives and
they are very thankful that even the children look forward to their
visits to the country. "I deeply cherish the values I learned from my
rural up-bringing and I am delighted our children will be exposed to
the farm and country-living, as it is a shrinking part of American
culture."
|
| |
|
Greg Starr, DVM
If Greg Starr had his way, he would build an ark and fill it with all
of the animals that he loves so dearly. From his earliest memories, Dr.
Starr has had a soft spot in his heart for animals. This lifelong love
led to his pursuit in becoming a veterinarian.
Originally from Brazito,
Missouri, Dr. Starr has been a practicing veterinarian since his
graduation from the University of Missouri in 1999. Prior to
veterinary school, he already had a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science
and a Master's degree in Genetics, but he still feels that he has a lot
to learn.
Dr. Starr grew up on the family
farm with an assortment of traditional farm animals. He has raised
horses, cows, chickens, etc., all with the help of his family. "My
parents had a strong influence on me by letting me raise and care for
many animals during my childhood, which inevitably taught me
responsibility, love and respect for animals and their owners."
Dr. Starr's hobbies include anything athletic, ranging from tennis and
running to weights and swimming. He also is still involved in farming
and maintains a purebred herd of Simmental cattle. "My two dogs, Rose
Marie and Marci Jo, think they are the managers of the farm!"
They are the Dr. Starr's two Pembroke Welsh Corgis.
"Unlike a lot of professions, I am not in this for the money, but for
the love of animals," Dr. Starr says. "This way, I get to work with
animals and people in order to help save and/or better the health of
the animals." |
| |
|
|
 |
