DR JONATHAN RAKSTANG
“A recruiter came to school and mentioned a possible job opportunity in Arkansas,” says Dr. Jonathan Rakstang. He decided to follow up the opportunity with a visit and we are glad he did. “Northwest Arkansas is a beautiful area with friendly people and I’m looking forward to calling it my new home,” he adds. Born in Illinois, Dr. Rakstang grew up in Oak Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago and the home of both Frank Lloyd Wright and Ernest Hemingway. Although he has spent the past sixteen years in Colorado, his Illinois roots are still deep: he is a White Sox fan and his favorite restaurant is Portillo’s in Chicago [apparently the Italian beef sandwich is a real winner!] Dr. Rakstang began his preparation for becoming an orthodontist with the University of Colorado in Boulder, where he earned his undergraduate degree with a major in biochemistry and a minor in chemistry. The next two years, he worked in a research laboratory at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver. Dental school followed in Denver, then a two-year general dental practice in Boulder. It was back to Denver again for orthodontic graduate school in 2006. He completed that master’s program in November of 2009. Music is a favorite pastime for him, and he is an accomplished musician. Dr. Rakstang plays both electric and upright bass plus drums…and he has played in several bands over the years. A fan of all kinds of music, he plays jazz, alternative country, electronic and rock. Other hobbies include listening to music on his vintage analog stereo system and swimming, biking and hiking or working out at the gym. “I had braces…when I was twelve,” he reports. “It was a great feeling when I had my braces removed…to see my straight teeth and healthy smile. Having braces is definitely a commitment but well worth it, he adds.” In fact, the most rewarding part of being an orthodontist for him is to know that he has made a lasting and positive impact on someone’s life! Dr. Rakstang is serving patients in our Fort Smith and Van Buren offices and he will be busy managing his team and his patients. He already has a great story to tell, though: during his initial visit to Northwest Arkansas, he and Dr. P were headed to the Fort Smith office and Dr. P forgot to put gas in his Hummer. They ran out of gas on the way down and had to get help from a state trooper! Dr. Rakstang’s comment: “It was awesome!” We’re glad that he decided to join our team anyway! | |||
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