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Dr. Christopher Medley DDS, MD (Retired)
About Dr. Christopher Medley - Founder of Alamo Heights Oral Surgery
Dr. Medley began his dental career as a Captain in the Air Force near the Napa Valley at Travis AFB in California after graduating with honors from the Baylor College of Dentistry in 1984. Dr. Medley has had the pleasure of living in highly desirable locations compliments of the United States Air Force. From there, he had tours in RAF Bentwaters, England; Panama City, Florida; San Antonio, Texas (where he completed his oral surgery residency and medical degree); Ramstein AFB, Germany; and then back to San Antonio as a member of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery staff at Wilford Hall Medical Center, where he would remain for the rest of his 22-year military career. He retired from the Air Force in 2007 as a full Colonel, Chairman of the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Special Consultant to the Surgeon General. Shortly after retiring, he opened Alamo Heights Oral Surgery in March of 2007.
As of January 2024, Dr. Medley has retired from active practice. While he is stepping back, he is confident that the doctors and staff he has left behind at Alamo Heights Oral Surgery will continue to provide the same level of expert care and personal attention that his patients have come to expect over the years. Dr. Medley has full faith that the practice will remain a trusted and reliable source of oral surgery care in the community for many years to come.
Dr. John Hultquist DMD, MD
About Dr. John Hultquist, DMD, MD - Oral Surgeon at Alamo Heights Oral Surgery
Dr. John Hultquist was a resident at Wilford Hall Medical Center serving under then, Chairman of Oral Surgery, Dr. Medley. Because of their time together, Dr. Medley was very familiar with the way Dr. Hultquist interacted with patients. He knew that Dr. Hultquist would make a great member of the AHOS team.
Dr. Hultquist spent years serving as an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in the Air Force. He also was tapped for leadership roles: first as Commander of the Department of Orthopedics, and later as Chairman of the Oral Surgery Department at Wilford Hall Medical Center as well as Special Consultant to the Surgeon General.
Dr. Hultquist received multiple awards during his Air Force career: the Air Mobility Command Junior Dental Educator of the Year, twice the Air Mobility Command Dental Officer of the Year, the Air Force Commendation Medal, two Meritorious Service medals, and finally, at the time of his retirement, the prestigious Legion of Merit Award.
Following his retirement from the Air Force in 2017 after 22 years of service, Dr. Hultquist continued by serving veterans at the Audie Murphy Memorial Veteran’s Administration Hospital as the Chief of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department until joining
Licensure and Certifications
- Texas State Board of Dental Examiners: 2012, #27676
- Alabama State Board of Medical Examiners: #29267
- Diplomate, American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, 2007
- United States Medical Licensing Examination, 2006
- Nation Board of Dental Examiners, 1995
Dr. Brendan Farrell, DDS
About Dr. Brendan Farrell, DDS - Oral Surgeon at Alamo Heights Oral Surgery
When Dr. Christopher Medley retired from his practice, Dr. Farrell and Dr. Praetzel saw a wonderful opportunity to continue the tradition of exceptional oral surgery care in the Alamo Heights area. Having learned their skills and honed their expertise as protégés of Dr. Medley, they were deeply committed to preserving the high standards of care he had established. With great respect for his legacy, Dr. Farrell and Dr. Praetzel purchased the practice, ensuring that the community would continue to have access to top-notch oral and maxillofacial services. They are passionate about maintaining that 'family-owned' feel, where patients are treated with the same warmth and attention to detail that they would give to their own loved ones.
Dr. Brendan Farrell was born in Welland, Ontario, but his journey took him south to the sunny, tropical Rio Grande Valley in Texas at a young age. He graduated as Valedictorian from Donna High School and went on to attend Texas Tech University in Lubbock. It was there that he met his future wife, Julie, at just 15 years old. The couple married before Brendan continued his education at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, where he pursued dental school.
While in dental school, Brendan also served in the military, and after graduating, he was stationed at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. There, he completed a one-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) program, followed by two years of service at Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma as a general dentist. It was also during this time that their first son, Spencer, was born.
Next, Brendan’s path led him to the Oral and Maxillofacial Residency program at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. Halfway through the program, their second son, Dylan, joined the family. After completing his residency, Dr. Farrell remained at Lackland as a staff member, where he served as the Director of Clinical Operations and taught oral surgery residents.
Dr. Farrell’s career took an incredible turn when he was deployed for six months to Joint Base Balad in Iraq. There, he became an essential member of the “head and neck trauma team,” treating both American and Iraqi patients. He also served as the Theater Consultant for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Iraq—a role he considers a life-changing experience that he’s deeply grateful for.
Licensure and Certifications
- Texas State Board of Dental Examiners: 2024, #20295
- Kansas State Board of Dental Examiners: #60789
- Diplomate, American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, 2009
Dr. Daron Praetzel, DMD, FAACS
About Dr. Daron Praetzel, DMD - Oral Surgeon at Alamo Heights Oral Surgery
Dr. Daron Praetzel, originally from Erie, Pennsylvania, is a highly accomplished oral surgeon in Arkansas and Texas. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Gannon University before completing his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Praetzel went on to finish his Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency at Wilford Hall Medical Center on Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. With thirteen years of active duty service as a surgeon in the U.S. Air Force, Dr. Praetzel gained extensive experience, including serving as the Facial Trauma Surgeon during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has received numerous military honors and currently holds the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.
Dr. Praetzel served on the Board of Directors for both the ABFCS and the American Academy of Dental Practice (AADP). He is the current President of the American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery for the years 2024 and 2025. He is a proud Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS). He is also the founder of the Faces Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides life-changing facial surgery to patients in need, and the Hot Springs Study Club, which offers continuing education to local dental professionals.
As the owner and developer of the Arkansas Center for Surgical Excellence (ACSE), a JCAHO-accredited multi-specialty outpatient surgery center, Dr. Praetzel performs advanced facial cosmetic surgeries. He is also an internationally recognized public speaker, presenting on topics such as facial surgery, team building, and personal and military experiences. Additionally, Dr. Praetzel contributes as an expert surgical witness on medical-legal cases and has been a guest author for several publications.
Dr. Praetzel resides in Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he is actively engaged in the community and the city's growth. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys participating in athletic activities through Spa City Crossfit, competing in marathons and triathlons, and serving as the Music Director of Acapella Rising. He also enjoys managing his cow and horse farm and cherishing family time with his three children. Dr. Praetzel is honored to share his surgical expertise with not only the Hot Springs community but also the San Antonio community in Texas.
Licensure and Certifications
- President - American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery
- Diplomate, American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, 2007
- Founder - The Faces Foundation "Helping Those Who Help the Community"
- Owner - Arkansas Center for Surgical Excellence
- Partner - Arkansas Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Our Staff
Vanessa, Office Manager
Abby, Administrative Assistant
Abby, Administrative Assistant
Vanessa is one of the key pillars that keeps our office running smoothly. With years of experience in dental teams, she was the natural choice to take over when our longtime office manager, Julie Ball, retired. Vanessa handles insurance claims and keeps the financial side of things organized, so our doctors can focus on providing the best care possible.
Her attention to detail and calm, can-do attitude make her a master at problem-solving, she’s always ahead of the game. Vanessa’s organizational skills and ability to juggle multiple tasks effortlessly are a huge asset to our team. Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with her family and staying active in her community. We’re so lucky to have her!
Abby, Administrative Assistant
Abby, Administrative Assistant
Abby, Administrative Assistant
Abby is the front desk/admin expert. She’s fluent in both Spanish and English, making her the go-to person for patients seeking assistance, whether it’s about accounting, insurance, or anything else. She takes pride in handling insurance appeals and managing aged receivables with a keen attention to detail, ensuring everything is processed smoothly on the administrative side. Her organizational skills help keep things running efficiently, so patients and staff alike can focus on what truly matters—providing excellent care.
Abby enjoys spending time helping others learn about the Bible and cuddling with her two fur-babies, Cotton and Sadie. She’s a warm, caring presence who genuinely loves helping others, both in and outside the office.
Tracy, Lead Assistant
Cheyenne, RDA and Front Desk Specialist
Cheyenne, RDA and Front Desk Specialist
Tracy worked with Dr. Medley for over ten years while at Wilford Hall Medical Center. When Dr. Medley retired from the Air Force and began planning his new office, Tracy was the first person he considered when picking a surgical assistant. When asked about Tracy’s best qualities, Dr. Medley replied that it would be hard to limit his comments to any one thing.
“She has so many. I don’t know if I would say it was her work ethic, her positive attitude, or her versatility. There are just so many things that she can do.”
Tracy has 32 years of experience in oral surgery and continues to be the ideal assistant for Dr. Farrell and Dr. Hultquist. If she’s not at work, you can find her at the gym, pushing herself to achieve new personal bests and “gaining gains” with her relentless determination.
Cheyenne, RDA and Front Desk Specialist
Cheyenne, RDA and Front Desk Specialist
Cheyenne, RDA and Front Desk Specialist
Cheyenne is an invaluable member of our team, assisting Dr. Hultquist and Dr. Farrell in the clinical side of care. Her adaptability shines through as she seamlessly transitions to the front office when needed, always ready to lend a hand with administrative tasks. With a "can-do" attitude and an unwavering commitment to getting things done, Cheyenne is always up for a challenge. Her exceptional penmanship is well-known, and her colleagues often ask her to label their items. Outside of the office, Cheyenne is a proud mom to her beautiful baby girl, and she cherishes every moment spent with her growing family. Her dedication, positive energy, and caring nature make her a true asset to our practice.