59 minute read
Healthcare Profiles
SLEEP SPECIALIST
Excellhealth Sleep Center
WHY IS SLEEP IMPORTANT?
Sleep research shows that after being awake for 19 hours, you’re as cognitively impaired as someone who is intoxicated with alcohol. Poor sleep results in 20 percent of serious car accidents, and many man-made disasters including Bhopal, Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Exxon Valdez. All of these events were at least partially blamed on lack of sleep. • 25 million U.S. adults have obstructive sleep apnea • 48 percent of Americans say they snore • 37 percent say they unintentionally fall asleep during the day at least once a month • 5 percent of the overall proportion of obesity in adults could be attributable to short sleep
Maniza Ehtesham, MD
How many hours of sleep do
you need?
Optimal Sleep is essential for your wellbeing. Getting the right amount for your mind and body feels great and helps you wake up rested and refreshed. Every person is different when it comes to the exact amount of sleep that’s optimal for them, but most people fall within a range, depending on their age. These guidelines can help you determine how much sleep you really need, while providing some easy ways to achieve it.
Individuals 65 and older require a minimum of 5 and up to 9 hours of sleep nightly depending on their overall health and activity, while a newborn requires upto 17 hours of sleep nightly.
It is good to identify your own ideal amount of sleep and work toward achieving a regular routine of bedtime habits. Both children and adults benefit from a nightly routine that allows time to wind down and settle down for sleep
What happens when chronic sleep deprivation occurs?
Some of the most serious potential problems associated with chronic sleep deprivation are high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, heart failure, stroke, dementia and depression. Other potential problems include obesity, ADHD, impairment in immunity and lower sex drive. Chronic sleep deprivation can even affect your appearance.
Dr. Ehtesham’s practice, Excellhealth Sleep Center, specializes in helping sleep-disorder patients with comprehensive therapy.
“We provide sleep consultations in-clinic and at affiliated hospitals. We also offer sleep studies and sleep therapies. We are also offering telemedicine services, as needed.”
“A good patient dialogue/history and diagnostic sleep testing are important steps in evaluating how to treat a patient’s sleep issues.” Dr. Ehtesham says. Excellhealth Sleep Center, is AASM accredited and provides a full suite of sleep services including home sleep testing, in-lab sleep testing and treatment, nocturnal oxygen testing, sleep diaries/logs sleep counseling and education.
“When any patient is treated for sleep disorders, it not only improves their sleep but also improves their overall health. Their bed partner may sleep better, too.” Dr. Ehtesham says.
ENT OTOLARYNGOLOGY
Ascentist Healthcare
Katherine Aberle, MD; Douglas Cowan, MD; Colleen Johnson MD; and Robert Cullen, MD
Ascentist Ear, Nose & Throat has expanded to become Ascentist Healthcare. Ascentist has expanded to provide ethical, high quality and stateof-the-art care for not only ears, nose and throat, head and neck, but also general surgery, pulmonology, otology and neurotology, plastic surgery, laryngology, pain management, and orthopedics. The practice has grown into one of the largest privately owned multispecialty healthcare practices in the Kansas City area. Ascentist now has 16 offices, 26 physicians, 19 Audiologists, four physician assistants, seven nurse practitioners and one speech language pathologist.
Dr. Katherine Aberle
Dr. Aberle has been with Ascentist Healthcare for five years and treats a full spectrum of ENT-related conditions, though she has a special interest in advanced sinus surgery and pediatric ENT. Additionally, Dr. Aberle credits her experience as a mother to her ability in providing comforting care to her smallest patients and their families. A unique aspect of her practice is that she offers to pray with patients before surgery. “Going to sleep for surgery can be a stressful experience for patients and their families,” she says. “Asking if a prayer would help can provide a sense of calm to those families.”
Dr. Aberle earned a bachelor’s degree from Miami University in Ohio and a master’s degree from Colorado State University. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Rush University in Chicago and completed a residency at the University of Nebraska. Dr. Aberle is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology.
Dr. Douglas Cowan
Dr. Cowan is the CEO of Ascentist. He has been at the practice for eight years and specializes in general otolaryngology. Most of his focus is on sinus issues and breathing disorders and he is a national leader in minimally invasive sinus surgery. “We have an amazing culture where we encourage everyone to openly discuss concerns and ways to improve patient care,” he says. “Our providers collaborate extensively both in person and on continuous daily chat feeds.”
Dr. Cowan completed his residency at the University of Kansas Department of Otolaryngology and is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology. Since he joined Ascentist, Cowan has since helped the practice grow into the multi-specialty group that they are today. Cowan has won numerous awards including being named a Top Doc in 2019.
Dr. Colleen Johnson
Dr. Colleen Johnson has been with the practice for four years. Dr. Johnson continues to serve the north metro area in our Kansas City, Kansas, location near Legends Outlets, which is also conveniently located near Fort Leavenworth so she can continue to regularly treat military service members and their families. Dr. Johnson treats both adults and children for the full spectrum of ear, nose and throat disorders, including endocrine surgery, voice issues, nasal obstruction, allergy concerns, ear disorders and tonsil problems. Her primary areas of interest are thyroid surgery, voice disorders and advanced sinus surgery.
Dr. Johnson earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas. She earned her master’s degree in public health and Doctorate of Medicine from Tulane University in New Orleans. Dr. Johnson completed her residency at the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium and is a board-certified otolaryngologist.
Dr. Robert Cullen
Dr. Robert Cullen has been serving the Greater Kansas City Area in the field of otology and neurotology since 2007. Cullen received his medical degree from the University of Arkansas; he completed his residency and internship at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. After completing fellowship training at the House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles, CA, he joined the Otologic Center in Kansas City.Dr. Cullen joined Ascentist Healthcare with the merger of Otologic Center and Ascentist ENT in 2020.
As a board-certified subspecialist in otology/neurotology, Dr. Cullen has been able to provide the most advanced medical and surgical treatment solutions for adult and pediatric patients with hearing loss, balance problems, and other ear related disorders. He also serves as the Medical Director of the region’s oldest and largest cochlear implant program at the Midwest Ear Institute. Dr. Cullen has been named a Kansas City Top Doctor for the last four years.
Lee’s Summit, MO | Kansas City, MO Belton, MO | Overland Park, KS Kansas City, KS | Leawood, KS Missouri: 816.478.4200 Kansas: 913.721.3387 | ascentist.com
ABOUT US The practice has been serving Kansas City for over 50 years and has grown to into one of the largest privately owned multispecialty clinics in the metropolitan area, currently partnering with twelve health systems across 16 locations. The values and commitment to patients established by the founding physicians continues in their strategic mission and day-to-day operations.
PODIATRY
Kansas City Foot Specialists
David Laha, DPM; Jennifer Phillips, DPM; and Andrew Hall, DPM
Since founding Kansas City Foot Specialists in 1985, Dr. David Laha and his team have worked diligently to provide the best foot care for their patients. Because of this commitment to excellence, Kansas City Foot Specialists has earned the reputation as the premier provider of foot care in Johnson County. Since its inception, the doctors and exceptional staff at Kansas City Foot Specialists have used their knowledge, training and experience to treat more than 60,000 patients.
“There isn’t too much I haven’t seen in my more than 35 years of treating patients,” Dr. Laha says. “Having our own licensed ambulatory surgery center is an added convenience for our patients. We are seeing a lot more people inquire about surgical reconstruction. Many are stuck at home and have found it a good time to get problems addressed while they can recover at home. For many, this has been an opportune time, and having our own ambulatory surgery center has made it convenient for many of our surgical patients.”
Because of COVID, Kansas City Foot Specialists has seen a spike in overuse injuries due to exercise. While numerous people got outside and exercised during quarantining, many did too much too soon, resulting in injuries. Another reason they are seeing so many overuse injuries is due to lack of foot support while working from home, which can stress structures of the foot, ankle and lower leg.
Dr. Laha is board certified in foot and ankle surgery. He enjoys all aspects of podiatric medicine but has a special interest in reconstructive foot surgery. Dr. Laha is a past president of the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts and the Kansas Podiatric Medical Association.
Dr. Jennifer Phillips joined the practice in 2004. She is board certified in foot surgery and has specialized training in reconstructive foot surgery, diabetic foot care and sports injuries. Dr. Phillips recently expanded her surgical training with the latest techniques in minimally invasive surgery. This can allow for faster healing and recovery with reduced scarring for some procedures. “We strive to get our patients back to activity quickly, whether it is post-surgery or post-injury,” Dr. Phillips says.
Dr. Andrew Hall joined the practice in 2014 and is board qualified in foot and ankle surgery. He is confident in treating simple forefoot complaints to complex rearfoot and ankle pathologies. His podiatric interests include sports medicine, trauma, wound care and limb preservation. “We have the latest treatments available including shockwave therapy, 3D orthotic scanning, amniotic injections and others,” Dr. Hall says.
Chronic structural foot problems, such as bunions, hammertoes and heel
BEST ADVICE pain, are progressive deformities. They are secondary to abnormal foot function and can get worse with time. Addressing these issues sooner than later, whether with better shoes and supports or surgical intervention, leads to better outcomes. Don’t wait to address these issues.
WEIGHT LOSS TREATMENT
Center For Nutrition & Preventive Medicine P.A.
DID YOU KNOW?
Weight loss can make life better in many ways. Being overweight can rob you of joy, energy and health. Self-esteem, heart, lungs, joints, mood, blood pressure, cholesterol, sexual health and our life-saving immune system can suffer when weight increases. Unfortunately, common weight loss attempts are ineffective. Food cravings, chronic hunger or a sluggish metabolism can make weight loss impossible. A powerful, personalized, medically based treatment plan can be the key to success. Learn more about your options at one of our free consultations. Our professional, confidential staff is here to help you.
Rick Tague, MD, MPH & TM
Doctor Rick Tague, M.D., M.P.H. and T.M., specializes in medical approaches to weight loss and nutrition, which are often powerful for improving quality of life. And, with COVID-19 added to the list of common health concerns, weight loss has never been more important. Since founding the Center for Nutrition in 1996, Dr. Tague has assisted over 20,000 patients in losing over 300,000 pounds. Dramatic improvements in self-esteem, energy levels, activity levels and health measures have been typical among his patients while losing 20, 40, 60, 100 pounds or more.
After studying public health, nutrition, and disease prevention, Dr. Tague devoted his career to promoting nutrition and weight loss. Dr. Tague’s clinics offer customized, physician-directed treatment plans using the latest information from nutrition and weight loss research.
Dr. Tague manages common appetite problems such as excessive hunger, food cravings, chronic overeating, “yo-yo” dieting and stress eating. He also manages the common challenges of a “sluggish” metabolism using medical strategies.
Dr. Tague’s team of physicians, nurse practitioners and dietitians design powerful, comprehensive treatment plans that address root causes of weight gain. As a patient, you will receive a plan specifically designed to help you lose weight while taking into account important medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol.
Dr. Tague is an Alpha Omega Alpha honors graduate of Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. He also holds a master’s degree in Public Health from Tulane and is certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine and the American Board of Family Medicine. His medical practice has focused on improving the lives of his patients through weight loss and nutrition since 1996. Dr. Tague’s Center for Nutrition clinics are in Leawood and Topeka. For more information or to schedule an educational, free, no-obligation consultation, contact the Center for Nutrition at 913-814-8222 in Leawood or 785-273-4443 in Topeka, or visit taguenutrition.com.
PSYCHIATRY
Irfan Handoo, MD
DEEP TMS VS rTMS (SUPERFICIAL TMS)
Whereas rTMS (superficial TMS) relies on a figure-8 coil design, which only reaches a depth of 0.7 cm. Deep TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) uses a three-dimensional H1-coil design, which encompasses a much broader surface area and stimulates deeper brain structures directly, reaching a significant depth of 4 cm.
A study in the Journal of Psychiatric Research in July 2019 showed that deep TMS was significantly more effective in reducing depression levels and helping achieve remission compared to rTMS (superficial TMS).
Interpersonal Psychiatry
Dr. Handoo has been at the cutting edge of psychiatry and is one of the leading psychiatrists in the region. He specializes in treatment-resistant depression and has performed TMS and IV Ketamine treatments for hundreds of patients over the years and is one of the most experienced psychiatrists in the Greater Kansas City Area.
Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) uses magnetic waves to reach a deep, targeted area of the brain called the limbic system. Advanced research shows that improperly functioning neurons and nerve cells in the limbic system strongly correlate to depression symptoms.
Patients who undergo Deep TMS come for Deep TMS 19 minute sessions 5 times per week for 6 weeks in a row for a total of 30 sessions, followed by 6 maintenance sessions over a 2 week period afterwards.
IV ketamine treatments for treatment-resistant depression are “perhaps the most important breakthrough in antidepressant treatment in decades’ according to Dr. Thomas Insel, the former director of the National Institutes of Mental Health. Patients who receive IV ketamine treatments come once a week on Tuesdays or Thursdays for 6 weeks in a row and Dr. Handoo sees all ketamine patients both before and after each treatment. Dr. Handoo is a member of the American Society of Ketamine Physicians and is in touch with leading ketamine providers across the country to come up with the best treatment for his patients.
Both Deep TMS and IV ketamine treatments have shown dramatic results and been breakthroughs for patients with treatment-resistant depression and the benefits for many patients have lasted for many years. A recent article in The Journal of Psychiatric Research in 2019 showed Deep TMS to be significantly more effective than rTMS, which only penetrates superifically at 0.7 cm.
Deep TMS is covered by all insurance plans.
Dr. Handoo is Kansas City’s only Deep TMS Provider and Leading Provider of IV Ketamine Treatments. He has been recognized as a 2022 Top Doctor by Kansas City magazine.
Interpersonal Psychiatry 1010 Carondelet Drive, Suite 329 Kansas City, MO 64114 816.441.9875 www.drhandoo.com
TOP DOCTOR 2022
PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY DID YOU KNOW?
Pediatric dentistry also involves the study of developmental psychology. This helps a pediatric dentist understand how to make the dental experience as positive and rewarding as possible. From the setting of their offices to the tones of their voice, pediatric dentists fine-tune everything in their practice to help children feel comfortable and relaxed during their visits.
LeBlanc & Associates Dentistry for Children
Rebecca Ferns, DDS; Brent Church, DDS; Michael A. LeBlanc, DDS; Casey Rhoads, DDS
Dr. Michael LeBlanc, Dr. Casey Rhoads, Dr. Rebecca Ferns, Dr. Brent Church and Dr. Kyle Pedersen welcome you and your family to our extended family of patients.
High-quality dental care and patient comfort are our goals. As a pediatric dental office, our focus is geared toward children. We are committed to helping your child achieve the best possible dental results in a comfortable and friendly environment. From the moment you enter one of our four convenient locations in the Greater Kansas City area, you will be welcomed by warm colors, smiling faces and a patient tone of voice.
Originally from El Paso, Texas, Dr. LeBlanc received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Dentistry in 2003. It was his appreciation for the resilience and candor of children that led him towards a career in Pediatrics. Following that passion, he completed a two two-year pediatric dental residency at Children’s Mercy Hospital and has been practicing since.
Dr. LeBlanc was very active in dental school, both academically and clinically. In 2003, he received the distinct Pierre Fauchard Award for clinical excellence, as well as the prestigious Arthur Iwerson Award for excellence in pediatric dentistry. Throughout his career, he has continued to be active in the dental community. He is board certified, a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society, as well as a former chair of the New Dentist Committee. Currently, Dr. LeBlanc is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a member of the American Dental Association, and a member of the Kansas Dental Association. He is fluent in Spanish and has volunteered for various dental missions in Venezuela and Mexico. Locally, he has participated in volunteer events for the Team Smile organization and the Kansas Special Olympics. He is deeply honored, and considers it a great privilege, to work alongside his board certified colleagues, all of whom are leaders in the community.
The LeBlanc & Associates team promises to always put our patients and family first by providing the best oral healthcare available, consistently educating our patients about their dental hygiene and oral health and creating a wonderful experience for children that keeps them excited for their next appointment.
913-764-5600 | Olathe 913-387-3500 | Overland Park 913-378-9610 | Prairie Village 913-299-3300 | Kansas City
PODIATRIC MEDICINE & RECONSTRUCTIVE FOOT & ANKLE SURGERY
Kansas City Foot and Ankle
HEEL PAIN CENTER OF KC
Because Heel Pain is Optional...The Heel Pain Center of Kansas City is a specialized extension of Kansas City Foot and Ankle. Our Doctors have a strong personal interest in the treatment of heel pain because it is one of the most common causes of foot pain in the community. We treat patients of all ages including kids with Sever’s Disease and Achilles tendonitis, to adults with plantar fasciitis, heel spurs and stress fractures.
Our doctors utilize advance in-office treatment technologies such as Extracoporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), musculoskeletal laser, injectable growth factors, and the latest technology in custom orthotics.
Mark A Green, DPM; Stephanie Jameson, DPM; Corey Bess, DPM; Ethan Knowlton, DPM
Life is an amazing journey – one that we take step by step. As such, few things in life are as frustrating as foot, heel and ankle pain, making the steps we take difficult. Maybe you want to train for a road race, but your heel pain is keeping you sidelined. Maybe you just want to get through 18 holes comfortably, or be able to walk the dog or play with your kids without that nagging foot pain. Fortunately, there is help available for those who suffer from heel and arch pain, aching bunions or sports-related injuries that affect the foot and ankle.
With Kansas City Foot & Ankle and the Heel Pain Center of Kansas City, you’ll partner with a team of podiatrists, all expertly trained physicians and surgeons who are dedicated to getting you back to your active lifestyle quickly and comfortably. You’ll experience the latest technology available as you work with specialists to eliminate your pain quickly. Their in-office digital X-ray system and diagnostic ultrasound may help instantly diagnose your condition. You can discuss treatment options with their specialists that span the spectrum from simple stretching exercises and custom shoe inserts to a variety of state-of-the-art laser treatments, radial pulse therapy or even advanced stemcell therapy. And while their goal is to get you comfortable without a trip to the operating room, if surgery is necessary, their doctors are among the most well-trained foot and ankle surgeons in the country.
Of course, you will enjoy a personalized, world-class experience throughout the course of your treatment as their doctors and staff focus on the little things that make a big difference in your healthcare. Their goal is to create an amazing experience for every patient at every visit, while helping you return to your active lifestyle.
Whether you or one of your family members suffers from heel pain, plantar fasciitis, sports injuries, Achilles tendonitis, sprains, fractures, bunions, toenail fungus, ingrown nails, gout or foot conditions related to diabetes, they are here to help with three convenient Kansas City locations.
We Believe in...
• First Class Medicine • World Class Patient Experiences
KC North: 9501 N. Oak Trfy, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO
Lee’s Summit: 3600 NE Ralph Powell Rd, Suite D, Lee’s Summit, MO
PAIN MANAGEMENT
Kansas Pain Management
ABOUT US
Kansas Pain Management provides comprehensive interventional pain management services in the Overland Park, Lawrence, Leavenworth/Lansing, and Ottawa, Kansas, areas. With nationally recognized and award-winning physicians, we are a leader in the field of pain management. We accept most insurance plans including several HMOs, PPOs, Point of Service Plans, Medicare and Worker’s Comp.
“We approach each patient’s needs individually to identify the true cause of pain and provide a personal treatment program. The goal is to restore the patient’s lifestyle and eliminate drug dependency.” – Dr. Mayank Gupta
Mayank Gupta, MD
Dr. Mayank Gupta founded Kansas Pain Management with a mission to treat patients who suffer from chronic pain to restore their quality of life. The consequences of debilitating pain can affect nearly every aspect of life, from family to having a career. At Kansas Pain Management, patients can expect to be treated by caring, experienced medical professionals to help achieve the best outcome possible with a newfound freedom from pain. The care team consistently tracks each patient by therapy to achieve long-term lasting results. Kansas Pain Management has earned the respect of many referring physicians throughout the metro because of our exceptional outcomes and patient focus.
Dr. Gupta has a deep and special interest in advancing the field of pain medicine, focusing on practicing evidence-based medicine and conducting clinical research to expand patient care services and alternative options for treatment in chronic pain. He established the Neuroscience Research Center here in the Midwest that is actively involved in multiple studies contributing to exciting new advancements in the world of pain management.
Additionally, Dr. Gupta is extremely passionate about the ongoing opioid epidemic. His practice makes every effort to help patients fight opioid addiction by providing state of the art, minimally invasive procedures that are safe and more effective for long term results without harmful chemical dependency.
Kansas Pain Management offers several advanced outpatient therapies for back and neck pain, chronic abdominal pain, chronic pelvic pain, migraines, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), sciatica pain and other chronic pain conditions.
Dr. Gupta is an internationally recognized speaker on numerous topics relating to pain management. He has been actively involved in training and education throughout the United States and abroad. He currently serves on the medical editorial board of multiple accredited pain journals and has coauthored multiple book chapters, case reports and articles on various aspects of pain medicine.
10995 Quivira Road, Overland Park, KS 66210 Main: 913.339.9437 | Fax: 913.339.9538 kansaspainmanagement.com
INTERVENTIONAL PHYSIATRIST DID YOU KNOW?
Dr. Fotopoulos was the first and, for a period, only fellowship-trained interventional physiatrist in Kansas City. He has dedicated his career to educating and working hands-on with his patients to ensure that they can solve their pain and live their best lives. Dr. Fotopoulos has been voted as one of the regions “Super Doctors” for the past 10 years.
Dickson-Diveley Oorthopaedics
C. Lan Fotopoulos, MD
Doctor C. Lan Fotopoulos is an interventional physiatrist specializing in minimally invasive and interventional procedures in the treatment of spinal disorders, including epidural injections, radiofrequency ablation, vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, spinal cord stimulation, and cutting edge band aide surgeries for spinal stenosis. With a background as a diver in the US Navy, he also has expertise and certification in hyperbaric and diving medicine. He has experience as a team physician for several local sports teams, including the Kansas City Royals.
Dr. Fotopoulos has an extensive educational background. He graduated from UMKC School of Medicine in 1992. He did an internship with the Department of Surgery at Creighton University Medical Center from 1992 to 1993 and was an anesthesiology resident at University of Kansas Medical Center from 1993 to 1994. After that, he worked as an emergency medicine physician and served with the US Navy. In 2003, Dr. Fotopoulos completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at KU. After he completed his Musculoskeletal Medicine, Sports and Spine Procedures fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis, he joined Dickson-Diveley Orthopaedics in 2004.
Today, Dr. Fotopoulos is certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pain Medicine, Sports Medicine and Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine
At Dickson-Diveley, Dr. Fotopoulos specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation, also known as physiatry. PM&R is a mixture of neurology, orthopaedic surgery and rheumatology. Dr. Fotopoulos takes smatterings of information from each of those and applies it to a more targeted region or diagnosis. As a physiatrist, he is a PM&R physician who has gone on to do fellowships and extra training and became more specialized in musculoskeletal training and sports and spine medicine procedures. Dr. Fotopoulos and his partner also specialize in interventional procedures to help patients reduce pain and increase mobility.
Dr. Fotopoulos treats neck, back, hip, shoulder and knee pain with both surgical and nonsurgical procedures. For him, the most rewarding aspect of the job is getting someone back to full health. Nothing feels better than receiving phone calls from patients telling him that they are now pain free.
Leawood, KS | Kansas City, MO 913.319.7678 ext. 3109 dd-clinic.com
TMJ AND AIRWAY-FOCUSED DENTISTRY
Herre Holistic Dental
DID YOU KNOW?
An imbalance in your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, teeth grinding, limited jaw movement, muscle soreness and can change the alignment of your jaw. When your jaw alignment is off, the effects can ripple through your entire body. TMJ is often caused by the same underlying issue that causes sleep apnea. Dr. Herre screens all patients for both.
Tim Herre, DDS
Herre Holistic Dental is a health-centered, three- generation family dental practice that has been serving the Johnson County area since 1953. Dr. Tim Herre’s mission is to help your family thrive.
Holistic Dentistry Dr. Tim Herre is focused on finding the “why” behind dental issues to provide your family with long-term health solutions. His vision of holistic, biological dentistry helps you connect the dots to achieve whole body health. Treatment at Herre Holistic begins with identifying your health goals and then making a plan developed to help you thrive. Our holistic treatment is airway-focused, from Invisalign to tongue tie releases to TMJ treatment.
TMJ Treatment Dr. Herre works to resolve TMJ issues by focusing on the underlying cause of symptoms, with the goal of conservatively restoring the chewing system back to a state of optimal health and well-being. This type of dentistry isn’t focused on “patch and repair,” but aims to provide an overall better quality of life.
Sleep Apnea Many cases of sleep apnea are related to the tongue dropping back and obscuring the airway. As a result, patients are in a constant state of interrupted sleep. Customized dental sleep appliances can significantly improve the quality of the airway, allowing one to breathe better, sleep better and thus have a higher quality of life. Dental appliances are a great alternative to CPAP machines for patients with the goal of breathing better 24 hours a day, not just at night. Kids can also suffer from sleep disorders and Dr. Herre does early intervention with kids to help them sleep, grow and thrive.
11201 Nall Ave., Suite 120 Leawood, KS | 913.491.4466 holisticdentalkc.com
ORTHODONTICS AND PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
Burleson Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry
DID YOU KNOW?
Dr. Burleson has personally transformed the smiles of over 15,000 patients right here in Kansas City and is the author of two Amazon best-selling consumer books, “Stop Hiding Your Smile!” and “The Consumer’s Guide to Invisalign.” Dr. Burleson was also awarded the American Dental Association’s prestigious Golden Apple Award in 2014 and the Missouri Dental Association’s Outstanding Dental Leadership award in the same year.
Dustin S. Burleson, DDS
Doctor Dustin S. Burleson is a speaker, teacher, author and orthodontic specialist. Since founding Burleson Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry in 2006, over 3,000 orthodontists have traveled to Kansas City from 35 countries to learn from Burleson’s vision to change lives, advance the profession of orthodontics and support his community. Together, he and his students treat over 20,000 patients throughout North America each year.
He writes five professional newsletters monthly, is the director of the Leo H. Rheam Foundation for Cleft & Craniofacial Orthodontics, teaches at Children’s Mercy Hospital and operates a large multi-clinic orthodontic and pediatric dental practice in Kansas City, Missouri.
Dr. Burleson has been invited to speak throughout the world and has shared the stage with celebrities and athletes who mirror his passion to help more people live healthier, happier lives. Dr. Burleson provides over $1 million in free orthodontic care to cleft lip and palate children each year.
His practices have worked with the prestigious Disney Institute and Ritz Carlton to bring the same “wow” experience to the smiles of patients both young and old. Asked what makes his practice different, Burleson quickly replied with a warm smile, “It’s our people, our culture and our commitment to do whatever it takes to serve the best interests of our patients and their families,” even if that means referring them to a cheaper option in town or to one of his nonprofit foundations, when parents are unable to afford treatment at a Burleson facility. Burleson’s offices at last count have over 30,000 satisfied parents, with patients traveling from cities as far away as Chicago, New York and San Francisco to be treated by one of Burleson’s certified smile specialists.
To discover more about Burleson’s unique treatment approach, visit BurlesonSmile.com or call his office today at (816) 759-0123. He now offers more after work and after school hours than any other orthodontist in Kansas City. See if your child is ready for a Burleson Smile today!
North Kansas City | Raymore 816.759.0123 www.BurlesonOrthodontics.com
PLASTIC SURGERY
Quinn Plastic Surgery Center & Medical Day Spa
DID YOU KNOW?
Dr. Quinn has been a board certified plastic surgeon for over 35 years. He specializes in a unique and highly sought after technique called the transaxillary (underarm) incision. This approach is extremely popular with his breast augmentation patients because of the small incision and oftentimes invisible scarring.
John M. Quinn, MD
Conveniently located just south of 119th and Metcalf, Dr. John Michael Quinn and his staff at Quinn Plastic Surgery Center and Medical Day Spa have provided exceptional results in both surgical and non-surgical procedures. Dr. Quinn’s high standards in patient care, safety and results have allowed him to become one of the most trusted plastic and reconstructive surgeons in Kansas City.
For over 35 years, Dr. Quinn has been able to perfect his skills in breast and tummy surgery. One of the most popular requests is for the “mommy makeover”— a tummy tuck accompanied with a breast lift and/or augmentation. Most women who visit Dr. Quinn for a mommy makeover want that little extra help to feel more comfortable and confident after the incredible journey their bodies underwent after having children.
Adjacent to Quinn Plastic Surgery Center, Dr. Quinn oversees a team of highly trained specialists at Quinn Medical Day Spa. It has become a Kansas City favorite for non-surgical procedures like Botox, HydraFacial and CoolSculpting®. More recently, they have added the Candela Gentle Pro™ lasers to their list of menu items. Gentle Pro™ lasers are a world recognized leader in laser hair removal and also treat a myriad of other skin conditions like benign pigmented lesions and spider veins. Our Family Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Injector, and Licensed Aestheticians at Quinn Medical Day Spa deliver the highest quality care with the most updated technology and on-trend services and products.
Dr. Quinn goes to great lengths to ensure his patients feel comfortable after surgery and provides them with his cell and home phone numbers so that he can be reached in case of an emergency. It is his bedside manner that leaves his patients extremely happy with their care and their results, and it is why his patients are always so quick to refer him to family and friends.
6920 W. 121st St., Suite 102 Overland Park, KS 913.492.3443 quinnplasticsurgery.com
PLASTIC SURGERY
Cusick Plastic Surgery
FACELIFTS FOR MEN ARE TRENDING
While it’s true that noninvasive procedures still reign in popularity, the fact is that cosmetic surgeries like liposuction and facelifts are more popular than ever.
Plastic surgeons performed more than 234,000 facelifts in 2020. And of those facelift patients, men comprise an increasing number. Facelifts for men are becoming more common for a variety of reasons, including the instant, long-term results it can achieve.
Another reason for the abrupt rise in popularity is that working from home allows some men to have more discreet recovery time. This makes more involved surgeries like facelifts more appealing because they can recover in the comfort of their home.
Doug Cusick, MD
Doctor Douglas Cusick is a board certified plastic surgeon in Leawood, Kansas. But don’t let his title fool you--his passion for caring for patients bleeds into caring for the most needy individuals of the third world who he has served for the past 3 decades. Ever since he and his wife Barbara took their first trip to Brazil’s Amazon jungle in their early 20’s Dr. Cusick and his wife have visited 23 countries and participated in 53 unique missions.
“The biggest thing we do is raise money for the missions, said Dr. Cusick. Every year we, the Cusick family, help in creating and promoting fundraisers including golf tournaments and other special events.”
The Cusick family’s most important contribution to date has been a $1 million endowment bestowed to AdventHealth’s Foundation to create the J. Douglas Cusick Missions Foundation. With the million dollar endowment, AdventHealth’s investment team has been able to increase the endowment to nearly $1.5 million while using approximately $70,000 to fund the medical, administrative and nursing staff needs of the missions each year. “This creates a sustainable program that can go on indefinitely,” said Cusick.
Most of Dr. Cusick’s medical missions focus on reconstruction of cleft lips making cosmetic repairs that have long lasting and life changing effects for his patients. But, they do so much more than surgeries. He helps in a variety of ways including finding a way to get oxygen to areas that need it to assist the sickest COVID-19 patients as an example. He also has been involved with getting vaccines into the remote areas that haven’t been able to get them yet.
In addition to his mission work, Dr. Cusick and his team perform more than 900 surgeries each year. The most gratifying of them are always the reconstructive surgeries such as cancer repair and hand surgeries including replanting digits. “It’s always the work that has the biggest impact that is most satisfying for me.”
They also perform a number of non-surgical treatments such as Botox, Restyline injections and microdermabrasion among others.
Dr. Cusick has been voted Kansas City magazine’s Top Doctor for the past several years. He has a Doctorate of Medicine from Oral Roberts University of Tulsa, Oklahoma where he was president of his medical class. After completing a General Surgery residency at Loma Linda University Medical Center in Southern California in 1990, he completed two years of Plastic Surgery residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Dr. Cusick is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and is a Clinical Professor at Kansas University School of Medicine.
GASTROENTEROLOGY
Westglen GI Consultants
Alka M. Hudson, MD; Ervin Y. JR., MD; Scott S. Propeck, MD and Michael F. Thompson, MD
For the fourth year in a row, the physicians of Westglen GI consultants are named Top Doctors by Castle Conolly. Ervin “Skip” Eaker, MD, Alka M Hudson, MD, Michael Thompson, MD, and Scott Propeck, MD have been providing comprehensive gastroenterology care in the Kansas City Metro for the past 10 to 30 years.
Our doctors trained at top ranked institutions in the United States such as Northwestern University, Baylor University Medical Center, the University of Florida and the University of Missouri Kansas City. Hailing from elite institutions across the country, we provide a breadth of experience. The diversity of our backgrounds allows us to provide an elevated level of care to our patients.
All four of our recognized physicians are board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. Dr. Hudson is additionally certified in Obesity Medicine, participates in the Maintenance of Certification program for all three of her specialties, and speaks Spanish.
Our experience and certification ensure that our physicians are both knowledgeable and current in treatment plans for our patients.
We pride ourselves on our clinical acumen which ensures patients and their doctors that we will work to solve their concerns in both the office and endoscopy suite.
Our highly skilled physicians perform a range of procedures including upper endoscopy (EGD), colonoscopy, esophageal manometry, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
Patients are not just procedures to us. We are committed to improving their health.
Call our office at (913) 962-2122 or visit our website at westglengi.com to schedule a new patient visit.
Shawnee, KS | Gladstone, MO | Leavenworth, KS | Leawood, KS Wyandotte County, KS | Overland Park, KS 913.962.2122 | westglengi.com
ORTHOPAEDICS & SPORTS MEDICINE
Sports Medicine & Performance Center
DID YOU KNOW?
You don’t have to be an elite or professional athlete to need sports
medicine. When you think of sports medicine, what do you think of? If you pictured an athlete at a doctor’s office for an injury, you aren’t entirely wrong. Most people think of professional athletes when they think of sports medicine. However, sports medicine is more expansive than that. Any person who lives an active lifestyle and participates in activities such as running, swimming, golf or a recreational sport can use sports medicine.
Vincent H. Key, MD
Dr. Vincent Key is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery with a sub certification in sports medicine. Dr. Key is the Head Team Physician/Medical Director for the Kansas City Royals as well as Associate Physician for USA Track and Field. He completed a fellowship at Wellington Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine. He earned his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and completed his residency at Martin Luther King-Drew Medical Center (Los Angeles). He decided to become a doctor because he loves to help people and get them back to doing what they love to do. He was no stranger to sports injuries as a college track athlete at Kansas State. He wanted to be able to diagnose and treat athletes and get them back to competing. He has a passion for treating young athletes. With four athletic children of his own, he knows the importance of treating the individual patient, not just the injury. He specializes in arthroscopic procedures and the treatment of shoulder, elbow (Tommy John) and knee injuries (ACL/Meniscus) for professional athletes, young athletes and weekend warriors alike. The injuries for all levels of athletes are similar, and often so are their treatment courses.
The University of Kansas Health System: 913.574.1000 10730 Nall Avenue, Suite 200 Overland Park, KS 66211 1 Arrowhead Drive Kansas City, MO 64129 KUMedwest 7405 Renner Rd. Shawnee, Ks 66217
PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
Smiles Dentistry For Kids
Matthew Hillman, DDS (Dr. Matt)
“I love pediatric dentistry! Not everybody gets to do exactly what he or she wants for a career. I’m so lucky to have this unique opportunity to share my knowledge and skills with the community.”
Dr. Matthew Hillman (aka Dr. Matt) became a board certified pediatric dentist with the ABPD (American Board od Pediatric Dentists) after completing the postgraduate residency program in Pediatric Dentistry at Northwestern University and Chilren’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago. He opened his pediatric dental practice, Smiles Dentistry for Kids, in Overland Park in 2007.
“Children are amazing, and working with such diverse personalities requires a lot of flexibility and a lot of energy,” Hillman says. Through both parent and patient education, I hope that we can reduce the occurrence of dental decay in kids and do so in a fun and supportive environment that doesn’t feel clinical. I truly feel that working with children is what I was meant to do, and I look forward to the many years to come.”
8800 State Line Rd. Leawood, KS 66206 913.383.9099 | miles-medical-group-llc.business.site
PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION
Miles Medical Group
Shynda Miles, MD
Dr. Shynda Miles is a physiatrist and the medical director of Miles Medical Group, a private practice with a primary specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation. The focus of the practice is neurological rehabilitation, restoration of function, chronic pain management, and a return to a high quality of life. Patients may have muscle, bone, soft tissue or nervous system injuries. Subspecialities include sports medicine and the treatment of arthritic pain.
Dr. Miles received her medical degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine. She completed her residency at the Sinai Hospital of Baltimore. She is board certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
7824 W. 119th St. | Overland Park, KS 913.322.3433 | reflectionsbodysolutions.com
LASER LIPOSUCTION, MEDICAL SPA & BODY CONTOURING CENTER
Reflections Body Solutions
Greg Chambon, MD
Dr. Greg Chambon MD, is the Owner, Medical Director and Founder of Reflections body solutions, which he opened in May of 2008. He is a graduate of the UMKC School of Medicine, has been certified in FP for over 33 years, is certified in Anti-Aging & has specialized in Cosmetic Medicine for over 16 years.
Reflections is not your typical Med-Spa. It offers the latest innovation in Aesthetic Medicine with less risk, less downtime & more natural results. Unlike most Med-Spas, Dr. Chambon is present at the practice.
Dr. Chambon was the first Physician in the State of KS to perform Smart Laser Lipo. Laser assisted Lipo continues to be the Gold Standard & the most requested minimally invasive procedure.
Dr. Chambon performs all of the injectable treatments, Botox, Dysport, & Dermal Fillers. Reflections offers the VIRTUE RF now and is seeing excellent skin tightening results for the face & neck. Reflections offers the GAINSWave, Ultra Femme 360, mira Dry, IPL/BBL, Fractional Skin Resurfacing and many other Laser Treatments.
Dr. Chambon is proud to provide his patients quality, personal and reputable care.
OPHTHALMOLOGY & REFRACTIVE SURGERY
Durrie Vision
Jason Stahl, MD; Timothy Lindquist, MD; and Kelly Grosdidier, OD
Durrie Vision is a refractive surgery center and research facility specializing in laser vision correction to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia. Offering the most advanced combination of diagnostic and treatment technology available, Durrie Vision is dedicated to delivering exceptional results through customized vision correction procedures, including SBK advanced LASIK, Phakic IOL, Refractive Lens Exchange and Refractive Cataract Surgery.
Why choose Durrie Vision?
• Phenomenal patient experience • World-class surgeons • The best available technology
When it comes to patient care, Durrie Vision pays attention to the little details that make a big difference. Visit durrievision.com to schedule your complimentary consultation.
11501 Granada St, Leawood, KS apskc.com | 913.451.3722
PLASTIC SURGERY
Associated Plastic Surgeons
Mark McClung, MD; Sheryl Young, MD; Joseph Cannova, MD; Jon Rast, MD
At Associated Plastic Surgeons in Leawood, they pride themselves in providing a full-circle of care that is customized to individual needs. From the Med Spa to board-certified, award-winning plastic surgeons, they are best equipped to help you along your aesthetic journey. APS offers cutting edge technology like the Excel V+ Laser, less invasive procedures like InMode Bodytite, Facetite, Morpheus8 and Coolsculpting, and tested product lines to help you maximize and maintain results from any procedure. If your path is a surgical one, Drs. Mark McClung, Sheryl Young, Joseph Cannova and Jon Rast have over 90 years combined experience treating patients in their area practice. Their expertise, commitment to excellence and continued education in the plastic surgery field has made APS the Kansas City area’s premier destination for looking and feeling your best. Cosmetic consultations are complimentary. Surgical procedures include but are not limited to: BREAST: Augmentation, Reduction, Implant Removal, Revision, Top Surgery, Lift, Male Breast Reduction FACE: Facelift, Brow Lift, Eyelid Surgery, Ears, Rhinoplasty, Injectables & Fillers, Lips, Chin, Neck BODY: Tummy Tuck, Liposuction, Brazilian Butt Lift, Mommy Makeover, Thighs, Arms, Post Weight Loss
FERTILITY CARE
Blue Sky Fertility
Ryan M. Riggs, MD
Dr. Riggs and the Blue Sky Fertility team are committed to providing only the best possible care to patients in a compassionate and candid approach, noting that his professional standard is to treat every patient like family.
Our laboratory and nursing team are proud to offer individualized treatment and best in class pregnancy rates which translates into exceptional care (and babies) for our patients. Blue Sky Fertility is excited to announce the Blue Sky Egg Bank at Blue Sky Fertility, the region’s first and only frozen egg bank. Freezing eggs allows women to take charge of their reproductive timetable and have a family when the time is right.
Many women are aware that egg health declines rapidly with age. Freezing eggs halts the aging process, thus allowing women to pause the “biological clock”.
The Blue Sky team looks forward to helping patients succeed against any odds and has experience utilizing infertility treatments for a wide range of conditions, including endometriosis, PCOS, diminished ovarian reserve , tubal disease, and in instances of genetic disease.
836 W 57th St. Kansas City, MO 64113 816.399.2295
PSYCHIATRY
University of Kansas Health System
Charles Raymond Lake, MD, PhD
Charles Raymond Lake is a board-certified Psychiatrist and Professor Emeritus at the University of Kansas Health System. He is a widely published author of more than 250 scientific articles on depression, bipolar and anxiety. He has written several books including Bipolar, published in 2021 by Elsivier and Schizophrenia is a Misdiagnosis published in 2012 by Springer-Nature.
Dr. Lake specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar and major depression. The goal is the maintenance of a stable mood. His clients benefit from long-term individual and group psychotherapies with medications prescribed, as needed. He is especially experienced and skilled in diagnosing and treating bipolar disorder. Dr. Lake is a graduate of Duke University School of Medicine with both MD and PhD degrees.
Platte County Office: 8660 N. Green Hills Rd. Kansas City, MO 64154 | 816.792.1900
Clay County Office: 1200 Landmark Avenue Liberty, MO 64068 | 816.792.1900
OPHTHALMOLOGY
Northland Eye Specialists
Susan H. Carney, MD
Dr. Susan Carney’s philosophy toward eye care is simple. “I want to make certain that our practice can meet all your eye care needs, whether that involves an annual eye exam, cosmetic procedures, minor or major eye surgery including: cataract surgery LASIK, glaucoma and cornea transplants. Our practice’s goal is to care for patients’ eyes and vision over their lifetimes,” she explains. Dr. Carney is a board-certified ophthalmologist and co-founder of Northland Eye Specialists. She attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine and completed her residency at the University of Arkansas School of Medicine. She also is a Patient’s Choice Award recipient.
EATING AND DRINKING WELL IN KANSAS CITY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CALEB CONDIT & REBECCA NORDEN THEY’RE EGGSTRA Some things never come completely into or fall fully out of style—boat shoes, Burberry scarves and deviled eggs among
them. Maybe it’s a mood, or perhaps it’s just a coincidence, but two notable new restaurant openings from the tail end of last year brought us memorable deviled eggs. At Blu Hwy (5070 Main St., KCMO) on the South Plaza, those eggs are a statement of purpose for the entire endeavor, which is modeled on a grand American road trip. Hard-boiled eggs from a local farm take their own little journey thanks to golden raisins, fermented hot sauce, pine nuts and folded slices of country ham. At Night Hawk (1228 Baltimore Ave., KCMO), a subterranean bar below Hotel Kansas City downtown, the deviled eggs are cold smoked and pickled before being filled with a mayo-spiked yolk spiced with dijon and Old Bay seasoning. The smoke, the tang and the peppery Old Bay create a perfect storm. There was a time in this country where a man might finish his shift at the widget factory and then supper on pickled eggs from the comfort of a bar stool. Maybe that trend is due for a comeback.
—MARTIN CIZMAR
THE BUZZ BEAN
The 8 best new coffee shops in Kansas City
BY MARTIN CIZMAR, MARY HENN, SHAYLA GAULDING & ALYSSA SHICKLES PHOTOGRAPHY BY CALEB CONDIT & REBECCA NORDEN
LIKE SIXTY-FOUR PERCENT OF AMERICAN ADULTS, we drink coffee literally every day. But never with more enthusiasm and joy than on cold winter mornings, when the forecast threatens snow and the sun hangs low until after the workday begins, then slinks out of sight before it’s over. So January seems like a good time to take stock of the city’s best new coffee shops, which have continued opening apace despite the shifting dynamics of post-peak pandemic life.
We’ve visited every notable new opening to select eight favorites that can warm you up on these chilly winter days, from a tiki-themed shop in the Crossroads that will transport you to warmer climes to a seventies-chic shop in Overland Park that’ll have you feeling whacked on scooby snacks.
Notably missing from this list is Cafe Cà Phê, which has closed its temporary location while preparing to open its brick and mortar—we’re excited to see what the city’s first Vietnamese coffee shop looks like in its new form. 1 Rock Island Coffee 6515 Railroad St., Raytown
Thatcher Rogers has been around coffee for his entire life. His dad was a longtime senior Starbucks employee. “From when I was born to when I left the house for college, my dad was all coffee,” says Rogers, who owns and operates Rock Island Coffee KC in the front corner of Raytown’s Crane Brewing. Rogers grew up in Atlanta and went to college in South Carolina, where a college internship led to him meeting KC-based coffee consultant Tracy Allen. Rogers was so impressed that he paid to fly himself into KCI twice a month to study in Allen’s lab. Rogers eventually moved here to work for Allen’s coffee consultancy, but on weekends he now has his own project, Rock Island Coffee. Rogers roasts and prepares everything himself for the tiny operation—a perfectly balanced Mexican chile cortado on a recent visit showed off his skills. —MC
2Cafe Ollama 523 Southwest Blvd., KCMO
Mexican-owned and Latin American-inspired Cafe Ollama brews their special blend of coffee slowly in a traditional Mexican clay jar known as a barro. Their specialty, café de olla, is a traditional coffee spiced with cinnamon, star anise and piloncillo with roots dating back to the Mexican revolution. All of their drinks are named after owner Lesley Reyes and her husband’s abuelas, bringing a little slice of Mexican culture to their Southwest Boulevard location. —SG
3Hitides 519 E. 18th St., KCMO
The Crossroads’ tiki-themed coffee shop and art collective space, Hitides, is a rad spot that will have you feeling like it’s summer year round. They do classic espresso drinks, drip and pour-over coffee, cold brew, tea and hot chocolate, including a black lava sea salt hot chocolate. But their specialties include a creamy smooth dole whip,
prickly palm lemonade and a sea rose latte topped with dried rosebuds. Hitides has also paired up with Donutology and Meshuggah Bagels to offer a selection of tropical donut and bagel flavors like a Coconut Rum donut and Redtide Berry Bagel Toast. —MH
4Jinkies 8350 W. 151st St., Overland Park
Overland Park’s Jinkies is decorated with seventies swag and references, from the Scooby Doo-named lemonades to the vintage records hanging on the walls. Mother-daughter duo Lisa and Madi Dombrowski own the shop and pride themselves on their one-of-a-kind seasonal flavors, such as their cereal milk- and popcorn-flavored lattes featured last summer and this past holiday season’s Funky Mittens latte that combined s’mores and raspberry flavoring and was topped with toasted marshmallows, chocolate sauce and a red drizzle. —AS
5Transit Coffee 3940 Main St., KCMO Transit Coffee took over a Main Street space that formerly housed one of the city’s most prominent coffee shops, Oddly Correct, which is now on Troost. Transit opened quietly last September, staying under the radar due to streetcar construction. When you do find your way in—the baristas on duty expect things to stay slow until the traffic cones come down— you’ll find the same warm, brickwalled space, plus a small food menu and some creative drinks, including, on our visit, a miso-caramel latte that brought out the best in its salty, umami-dense ingredients. —MC
Kinship Cafe
6Kinship Cafe 719 N. Sixth St., KCK
Black-owned Kinship Cafe is about more than coffee. It’s about community. The cafe, located in the Strawberry Hill District and owned by TJ Roberts, holds everything from meditation sessions to financial literacy and career path trainings in their space on the evenings and weekends to provide the Kansas City community with equitable programs. Kinship’s specialty, the Flash Brew, is made with beans from Black Drip Coffee, a Kansas City Black-owned company, and brewed over ice to reduce acidity and bitterness. Kinship also plans to feature coffee from different local roasters to provide something new each quarter. —SG
Anchor Island 4101 Troost Ave., KCMO
When Armando Vasquez and Michael Hastings couldn’t find the support they needed to move forward with their business in JoCo as an interracial gay couple, they headed to the Manheim Garden Neighborhood. In 2019, they opened Anchor Island on Troost, becoming the owners of KC’s first LGBTQIA+, Latino- and American-owned tropical coffee shop. Some of their unique creations include the Dirty Sunrise, an orange juice drink with an espresso shot, cherry flavor and dark chocolate, and a Green Espresso, an unroasted, earthy coffee beverage. (Anchor Island is the only coffee shop in the U.S. to serve green espresso.) —MH
7
8Summer Moon 9127 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park Austin-born Summer Moon has locations across Texas, from Houston to El Paso, all serving coffee made from beans that are roasted over oak in a pit that looks like something you’d make briskets on. Their drinks use a proprietary moon milk-sweetened creamer—the recipe is so secret even the employees don’t know what’s in it, though Redditors have some interesting theories. Summer Moon recently expanded to a plaza near downtown Overland Park, and the moon milk lattes are the main draw, along with the stylish and comfortable space. —MC
SPRINKLES & GRIT
Boggie Otgonbayar and her husband, Johnny Chen, are putting a lot of love into their doughnuts.
BY DANIELLE LEHMAN
WHEN BOGGIE OTGONBAYAR and her husband, Johnny Chen, had the chance to purchase Mr. D’s Donut Shop from Johnny’s godparents in October 2018, they jumped on the opportunity to take over Shawnee’s classic doughnut shop on 75th street. Otgonbayar and Chen knew they could bring a fresh approach—and would need to, since they had no experience making doughnuts. With Otgonbayar’s degree in business administration from KU and the couple’s collective restaurant experience, they were confident they could master the learning curve. Three years later, they’ve grown a cult following and are making Mr. D’s their own.
What inspired you to buy a doughnut shop when you’d never made doughnuts before? The previous
KC FAVORITES
Coffee Crawl “Messenger Cafe is our official partner. We love that while they offer great quality coffee, they are also taking care of the farmers who produced the beans. Oddly Correct is another favorite. Super friendly staff and a front-runner coffee shop that is pursuing more environmentally sustainable practices in their cafe and roasting operations. And Cafe Cà Phê, KC’s first Vietnamese coffee house... Enough said!” Breakfast Burritos “Red Kitchen is one of the best breakfast burrito spots in KC. They serve burritos for breakfast with tortillas from Caramelo of Lawrence, eggs, potato, cheese and tomatillo sauce. You can also add chorizo, sausage or bacon.” Vietnamese for Lunch “If you like Vietnamese food or just some good Asian food in general, you can’t go wrong with Vietnam Cafe.” Something Sweet “If you like a unique ice cream experience, you have to try Ice Cream Bae. Their ‘swirl machine’ also allows customers to create their own flavors by mixing in various sweets, cereals and fruit.” owners guided us through the whole process and taught us everything. We both have a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and both of our families have owned and operated restaurants before, so it just felt right.
What does your day-to-day look like? On weekdays, we usually start around 1 am and finish around 1 or 2 pm. On weekends, we usually start around 11 pm or midnight and then finish around 2 or 3 pm. We’re naturally very hard-working people. My work ethic probably came from my parents. I always admired their work ethic growing up. So to me, it made sense to work hard for myself. I get out of bed every day for my customers and for myself.
I have a responsibility to provide the best possible products to our customers and run our business successfully. You recently expanded and opened a second location in the Lenexa Public Market. Can you tell me a little bit about the new space? We have a lot of customers from that area, so we decided to do some pop-ups inside of the Lenexa Public Market this past January to test the water. We were very pleased with the results, so we decided to pull the trigger. Just right before we were about to submit our proposal to the Lenexa Public Market, Isaac Hodges from Fairwave called and asked if we were interested in taking over the Roasterie spot. It’s been a great collaboration.
What’s your most popular option, and what’s your craziest flavor? The honeydip, made with real honey, is one of our most popular doughnuts. The pineapple fritter with pina colada glaze might be the craziest.
YELLOW BELLIES
There’s a new sheriff in town: Chartreuse Saloon is a Frenchy pool hall with top-notch cocktails.
BY NATALIE TORRES GALLAGHER
WHEN JILL COCKSON opened the Chartreuse Saloon (1627 Oak St., KCMO) in November, she faced a small crisis: Missouri was in the middle of a chartreuse shortage thanks to the supply chain domino effect brought on by the pandemic.
“Leave it to me to open a bar called the Chartreuse Saloon the only month in the history of booze we couldn’t get it,” Cockson laughs.
For the first two weeks, Cockson served the chartreuse swizzle—a tiki-adjacent drink that is herbal, sweet, sour and eminently sippable—with Dolin Genepy des Alpes, a close cousin of green chartreuse (she dubbed it the “genepy swizzle”). An industry veteran with a reputation for detail-driven cocktails— at the saloon, all sodas are made in-house— Cockson now has a chartreuse stash.
As you enjoy your swizzle garnished with a seductive float of Montenegro and a dehydrated lime wheel, take a moment to appreciate the French gothic-meets-Wild West vibe Cockson has diligently curated. Walls are cast in a vivid Granny Smith apple-green, and bleached bovine skulls are interspersed with vintage crystal chandeliers. But it’s the three stately custom-built billiards tables that set the scene. The Chartreuse Saloon is equal parts upscale bar and trendy pool hall, and opposite the wall with the neon sign, you’ll find posted rules for challenging whoever has the table if you want to take over.
Lula
NEWSFEED
WHAT’S NEW IN KANSAS CITY FOOD & DRINK
Southern Thing
A successful pop-up in the Crossroads is hoping to settle down in the district. Lula is a Southern-style supper house named for chef-owner Bradley Gilmore’s grandmother in the former Nara space at 1617 Main Street. Gilmore has had a long career in KC and is probably best known as the opening chef at Gram & Dun, where he had a five-year run. The pop-up is classic southern cuisine, including a Brunswick stew made with pheasant and rabbit and brown sugarbrined fried chicken. Gilmore has been in catering, including doing food for the Miracle holiday pop-up on the second floor of his space. Both the building owner and he were looking to establish “proof of concept” for Lula in the space, he says, and things have gone “really well.” If Lula ends up with a lease in the space, look for low-country boils out front and a southern-style brunch with grits a plenty.
Raising the Steak
One of Kansas City’s best-loved beef growers is looking to open a restaurant in Parkville. KC Cattle Company is a veteran-owned ranch that grows wagyu cattle outside Weston. They’ve won praise for their all-beef hotdogs, which were named the best in the country in a blind taste test and have been featured in Kansas City magazine previously. For Christmas, the KC Cattle Co. crew decided to do a pop-up steak sale in Parkville—with their eyes on a restaurant down the street. “Originally, we looked to keep our headquarters in Weston, but with the way shipping hubs are set up in KC, we get better shipping times being closer to the city/airport, which is crucial when shipping a perishable product,” says co-owner Patrick Montgomery. “It has been awesome. Feels really good to have a physical location closer to the city.” The restaurant plans are still “up in the air,” Mongomery says, but will likely be barbecue or American cuisine. “We have plans for a really cool rooftop area,” he says. “We want the atmosphere to be accommodating to families and professionals to grab a drink or grub.” The goal is to open in late 2022 or early 2023, and the plan will also entail “purchasing a LOT more cattle in Weston.”
Legendary Pigs and Bigger Biscuits
There are a few quick updates on restaurants we’ve reported on in the past. The new Jousting Pigs location in Legends has officially opened, taking over the former Arthur Bryant’s Space (1702 Village West Parkway, KCK). Meanwhile, in Mission, there’s a new tenant of the former Don Chilito’s Mexican Restaurant, which had been open for more than fifty years before closing this fall. Second-generation owner Barry Cowden, an outspoken opponent of mask mandates, has retired to his farm west of Tonganoxie. The six thousand-square-foot space (7017 Johnson Drive, Mission) will now be another Big Biscuit as the Prairie Village-based brunch chain eyes an early summer opening. Cowden told Kansas City Star reporter Joyce Smith that he’s publishing a cookbook called Don Chilito’s Secret Recipes, including its famous chili con queso dip. If you’re looking for Mexican food in that neighborhood, there is a new option: Al Chile Taco Shop opened at 11200 Johnson Drive in Shawnee. The menu indicates that Al Chile falls in between the very Americanized Don Chalitos recipes and more authentic taco shops in KCK, featuring asada street tacos on one side but lots of queso and a vegan hamburger on the other.
Changing Port
It seems like every month brings new announcements about the fast-changing Westport neighborhood. This month, it’s lots of new fried food from Chick-in Waffle (429 Westport Road, KCMO) and Westport Fish & Chips (431 Westport Road, KCMO), which have recently opened in the neighborhood, joining the Guy’s Chips takeover of the old Joe’s Pizza and the new Taco Bell Cantina in what many are calling “the new golden age of Westport drunk food.”
TIPPING POINT
The inside story on the famous “no tipping the slicers” signs at Arthur Bryant’s
BY MARTIN CIZMAR
INSIDE ARTHUR BRYANT’S Barbeque, where the cafeteria-style line meets the glass window dividing the dining room from the kitchen, there’s a little sign that says “No Tipping Cooks Allowed.”
Occasionally, that sign becomes the object of intrigue—as with a recent post on the local Reddit page, where dozens of readers shared theories and stories about the sign.
The sign is, indeed, very old, says Jerry Rauschelbach, who owns the classic pit with his father. But it’s also a very real warning. While some people brag about getting over on a pit and feasting like kings, Rauschelbach doesn’t find any of it cute.
The margins for restaurants—especially meat-centric ones—are razorthin. That’s especially true right now, with raw brisket prices north of five bucks a pound.
According to Rauschelbach, during the last two years of Arthur Bryant’s life, he lost hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, leading his niece, who took over after his passing, to put up the sign.
At Bryant’s, customers are allowed to tip—but at the cash register, after they’ve gotten their food. The tips are divided among the entire staff, not just the one working the slicer. All cash tips are split evenly, regardless of shifts worked. The tips left on credit card receipts are divided up according to the number of hours worked. “I tell my staff, ‘Look guys, we are not in the food business, we are in the people business,’” Rauschelbach says. “I have proven to them, numbers-wise, that the nicer you are, the more money they’ll throw at you. But you cannot do it through the window.”
The tipping problem is unique to Bryant’s, he says, given its layout. At most restaurants, you go to the register first and pay before getting your food. But at Bryant’s, you order from the person who does the slicing and pay afterward.
It’s also worth noting that the consequences aren’t limited to the employees. Rauschelbach has been known to scold customers, too.
“There’s a sign right there—you’re just doing it to get more food,” he says. “Two or three times a year, I see the customer offering it. I saw it three weeks ago. I said, ‘Sir, you can tip it down here, but you can’t tip him.’ He said, ‘Well, he’s doing a good job.’ I said, ‘He’s paid to do a good job.’ We got into it a little bit and I said, ‘You’re either going to tip it down here or you’re not going to get your food.’ The way people argue anymore, they think the louder they talk the more they’re heard. I told him, ‘It’s okay if you don’t come back if you’re going to do this—I just don’t need this headache.’”
The sign, Rauschelbach suspects, might just make some customers curious about breaking the rules— most customers today wouldn’t necessarily think to bribe a man working a meat slicer.
DID YOU KNOW?
Arthur Bryant’s was the first Kansas City ‘cue joint to weigh sandwiches rather than serve meat by the handful.
