About Us
Welcome home! If you were seeking orthodontic care for you or your child and had the opportunity to receive personal service, where you would immediately feel right at home in one of the most innovative practices in the Portage, Paw Paw and Kalamazoo area, why would you go anywhere else? At the heart of Kalamazoo Orthodontics is a passion for innovation. Not only is Dr. Bowman a clinician with years of experience, he is also an inventor who has created dozens of devices and concepts to enhance orthodontics. He is an award-winning researcher and was selected as one of only four orthodontists in the U.S. for the Invisalign® Teen Investigative Research Team. He has authored numerous scientific publications, textbook chapters and even his own book. In addition, Dr. Bowman is an orthodontic educator, a professor at three universities, one of the most sought-after speakers and has been invited to lecture around the world. Caring Convenience is Our Focus at Kalamazoo Orthodontics INNOVATIVE ORTHODONTICS FOR ALL AGES.
Meet Our Doctor
"There are hundreds of languages in the world, but a smile speaks them all"
INNOVATIVE ORTHODONTICS
Are you looking for an interesting and unique experience in orthodontics? If so, then Kalamazoo Orthodontics may be perfect for you. Dr. S. Jay Bowman has a distinctive background in the specialty of orthodontics. Not only does he have over 25 years experience as a clinician, he is also an inventor who has created dozens of devices and concepts to enhance orthodontics. He is an award-winning researcher, he was selected as only one of four orthodontists in the U.S. for the Invisalign Teen Research Investigative Team, he is also a part of the Insignia/Invisalign research group, and has been asked to take the lead with the new OrthoAccel system. He has authored numerous scientific publications, textbook chapters, and the book, Mini-Implants in Orthodontics: Innovative Anchorage Concepts. In addition, he is an orthodontic educator, a professor at three universities, one of the most sought after opinion leaders, and he has been invited to lecture around the world. Dr. Bowman has tied all of these intriguing aspects together with the goal of providing the highest quality of individualized, caring, innovative, and evidence-based orthodontics for patients of all ages. Dr. Bowman practices at Kalamazoo Orthodontics with three convenient and comfortable locations in Portage, Kalamazoo, and Paw Paw, Michigan.
In an interview with Dr. Bowman, published in Ortho Tribune, he stated, “I’m fortunate to have found the career that I’ve embraced.” In addition, he explained his enthusiasm, “I have an intense passion for the specialty of orthodontics as we have such a wonderful opportunity to change people’s lives. My goal is to insure that each of the patients who choose us feel uplifted and enriched with increased self-esteem, and of course, they finish treatment with a beautiful and radiant new smile that they are proud to show-off. We would love for prospective patients who visit us to wonder why they would even think of going anywhere else for their orthodontic care.”
CONVENIENT AND INNOVATIVE ORTHODONTICS
With a focus on convenience and comfort for our patients, Dr. Bowman and his talented team offer specialty orthodontic treatment at three locations in Kalamazoo, Portage, and Paw Paw. Interestingly enough, Dr. Bowman designed and drew the plans for each of those three unique offices. As a result of our innovations and inventions, Dr. Bowman and Kalamazoo Orthodontics have been featured in a number of publications including: Orthotown, Orthodontic Products, OrthoTribune, Kieferorthopadie Nachrichten in Germany, The Barbados Advocate, Vida Hoje in Brazil, The University of Toronto Alumni News, Journal of the Asian Pacific Orthodontic Society, RealSelf.com, Great Lakes Family, Kalamazoo Gazette, and Kalamazoo Weekly. Dr. Bowman was also interviewed on television for Good Morning Barbados.
TRAINING AND PRACTICE HISTORY
At heart, Dr. Bowman is a small town guy. He grew up on a farm in the rural town of Abingdon on the west side of Illinois. He earned a B.A. in Biology at Illinois Wesleyan University. He and his high school sweetheart got married and moved to the St. Louis area where he earned his dental D.M.D. degree at Southern Illinois University-School of Dental Medicine and was also honored with the American Association of Orthodontists Award. Dr. Bowman then completed his residency in the specialty of orthodontics at Saint Louis University Department of Orthodontics where he was Class President and received the North American Begg Orthodontic Society Scholarship Award. He began teaching at Southern Illinois University as an Associate Professor prior to moving to Kalamazoo to assume the orthodontic practice of Dr. Eugene Reinstein. Subsequently, he has also taken over the venerable practices of Dr. Richard Purdy and later, Dr. Larry Oberhill, gaining valuable experience and insight in orthodontics with each transition.
BOARD-CERTIFIED ORTHODONTIST
Dr. Bowman is a board-certified and licensed orthodontic specialist. Not only is he a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontists, but he also volunteered to be re-certified, a second time, as a test subject when the ABO revised their examining process in 2004. He has also served on the other side as a member of the Examining Committee of the Eastern Component of the Angle Society of Orthodontists. He has been a member of the Michigan Dental Association Peer Review Panel and he has also received the Southwest Michigan Quality Council Performance Excellence Award for Outcomes Improvement and Contribution to Community.
PROFESSOR AT FOUR UNIVERSITIES
Dr. Bowman is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Orthodontics at Saint Louis University Center of Advanced Dental Education where he was also honored with the Orthodontic Alumni Merit Award in 2005. He developed and has taught the Straightwire Mechanics and Typodont Course at The University of Michigan Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry since 2000. He is also a Clinical Assistant Professor at Case Western Reserve University Department of Orthodontics and Visiting Clinical Lecturer at Seton Hill University. Dr. Bowman has lectured for over a dozen other orthodontic residency programs around the world.
RECOGNITION FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
Dr. Bowman was invited to join the honorary Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontists and later received the prestigious Edward H. Angle Research Award from The Angle Orthodontist journal for best research. One of Dr. Bowman’s papers, “More Than Lip Service: Facial Esthetics in Orthodontics,” was featured as the Cover Story for the Journal of the American Dental Association. He has been inducted into both the International and also the American College of Dentists, as well as the Pierre Fauchard Academy, honorary dental organizations. Dr. Bowman has served as President of the Kalamazoo Valley District Dental Society and received the organization’s Daniel J. Ganz Award, the Distinguished Service Award, and also the President’s Award on four occasions. He has served as board member of the Orthodontic Education and Research Foundation and is also a Past President of Portage Kiwanis. He is a charter member of the World Federation of Orthodontists and a Regent of the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation. He is also an Honorary Member of the South African Society of Orthodontists.
RESEARCHER AND AUTHOR
Dr. Bowman has penned over 120 articles and book chapters in orthodontics. He co-authored and edited the textbook Mini-Implants in Orthodontics: Innovative Anchorage Concepts, described as “the best book available on the subject…it is highly recommended as a required textbook for teaching” in a review from the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics. The book has also been translated into Spanish and Portuguese. Dr. Bowman has given over 130 lectures in 34 U.S. states and in 34 countries on 6 continents. In 2009-10, he had the unique experience of speaking for all three of the major North American meetings (American, Canadian, and Mexican Associations of Orthodontics) as well as for the World Federation of Orthodontists. Dr. Bowman is a much sought after opinion leader and he has been a consultant for a number of organizations and companies, as well as serving on the Editorial Advisory and Review Boards of the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics, along with 10 other orthodontic publications.
INNOVATOR AND INVENTOR
Dr. Bowman has been an innovator and inventor in orthodontics. He has developed dozens of orthodontic product concepts, including designing our own signature Butterfly System of braces and associated v-slot auxiliaries. Other concepts he has created include: Class II Combination Therapy, Bowman Consolidator and Bowman Protractor devices, Duralight Retention Material, Monkey Hook and Kilroy Spring for impacted teeth, miniscrew-based auxiliaries (like the Ulysses Spring, TAD bite opener and Propeller Arm), Aligner Chewies, Retainer Retrievers, and Accent Pliers for Invisalign, WYRED cheek retractors, Double-Up’s, the Jet Accelerator, the Quick Fix device, among many other devices. Dr. Bowman is also the recipient of a United States Patent for the Bowman Modification and Horseshoe Jet appliances.
ANOTHER SIDE OF DR. JAY
Jay has been married for over 30 years and he and his wife have a son, Cameron, currently studying at Alma College. All three members of the family are cat lovers, each with their own cat. He considers himself fortunate that his profession has offered the opportunity to travel with his family and give lectures in places he would never have imagined visiting otherwise. Fortunately, Jay’s vocation is also his avocation as he enjoys problem solving, designing/inventing, writing, collaborating, and talking about orthodontics with colleagues around the world. Jay is also an avid St. Louis Blues and Kalamazoo Wings hockey fan and Formula 1 racing maven.
Jay’s career is reflected in his passions, “I always to be in control of my work environment, select the music I wanted to listen to, and insure that the daily experience is enjoyable.” Jay is a passionate music fan, having been a radio DJ and music director, once owning a collectible record store, and also playing keyboards in rock bands. Thanks to his close friend, Louie Pérez of the band Los Lobos, Jay is able to occasionally “step behind the curtain” to see the real rock world on the road, traveling with the band. “I once told my Mom that when I grow-up, I want to be an orthodontist.” She wisely replied, “Sorry, but you can’t do both…”
Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing
-Mother Teresa
READ DR. BOWMAN’S INNOVATIVE ORTHO BLOG
http://bowmaninnovativeortho.blogspot.com/
Meet Our Staff
I am the other Susan at Kalamazoo Orthodontics. I have been in the field of orthodontics since 2001 and with Dr. Bowman since 2007. I am a treatment coordinator and I enjoy the technical work but also the personal side of interacting with each patient. It is great to see the transformation of people's bites and their smiles through the course of treatment. It's also enjoyable to experience the patient's eagerness to see their end results. I also love the personal side of dealing with patients and their families: being there to help them step-by-step through the process of straightening their smile.
I was born and raised in Vicksburg, MI where I still reside with my family including our three children. I briefly lived in Indianapolis where I first began orthodontic assisting. I love sports (coaching girl's basketball and soccer), cooking, decorating, and spending time with my children.
I am John, and I've been employed at Kalamazoo Orthodontics as an orthodontic technician since the summer of 2002 when I moved to Michigan. It's always great to see patients end-up with wonderful smiles! One of the best things about working in this field is experiencing the advances in orthodontics over the years (many originating right here in our practice!). We have a great team here at Kalamazoo Orthodontics and I'm proud to be a part of it. For example, I took the lead for the incorporation of our KaVo diode soft tissue laser.
I am not a native Michigander as I was born and raised in Galesburg (the Illinois version). I do like the Kalamazoo area much better though. But since I came from Illini country, I'm still a big-time University of Illinois basketball fan. Outside of our practice, I am a member of the Kalamazoo Jaycees and I enjoy doing work in the community with that group.
Hello, my name is Paige and I have been with Dr. Bowman soon after he opened his practice in Kalamazoo on East Cork Street in 1985. My primary position with Kalamazoo Orthodontics has been as the director of the clinical staff. One of the things I have enjoyed most has been watching the growth and the metamorphosis of the practice throughout its history. When we first started, we only had three of us, Dr. and Mrs. Bowman and me. Over the years, we've added many wonderful employees that have made our practice thrive. We've helped numerous people with their bites and also unveiled so many incredible smiles! Now we're seeing many of those same patients coming back with their own children for us to treat, and that is so very satisfying. I think that working with all the kids in our three practices has given me more understanding when dealing with my own children. It also confirms that my children are no different from other children, too.
I have a loving husband and six children (several are patients here) including a special needs child. Each of my kids is unique and it seems that my family life most days is like a scene from the movie, Breakfast Club. At this time in my life, all my free time is wrapped-up in raising and watching my children grow into interesting individuals.
Hello! My name is Ashlee and I have been working at Kalamazoo Orthodontics since 2017!
I feel lucky to work with such an innovative practice and world-renowned ortho-inventor, Dr. S. Jay Bowman. Every day is a joy to be here! Our staff is very passionate about every person's experience and I feel honored to be a part this team.
Outside of my KO family, I love to travel, craft, and read. I also have three fur babies, Penelope, Ellie, and Lola, that I spend time with and spoil! I am very passionate about Star Wars, Harry Potter, photography, owls, and coffee.
If you see me in the office, make sure you say, "Hi!" I'd love to talk with you!
Hi, my name is Kelli. I started with Dr. Bowman in 2015. When I first started I was the records coordinator and I loved being a part of every person's first visit with us. I then moved to the Treatment Coordinating position. I love being a Treatment Coordinator and working hand in hand with Dr. Bowman as he develops each individual treatment plan.
I primarily work with our Growth and Development program which monitors younger patients growth until Dr. Bowman feels the patients are ready for treatment.
I think they just love playing my Plinko game!
I've been happily married to my husband Jerry for 12 years. He is also had his own treatment with us. We have two wonderful children our son Jerry (9) and daughter Madelyn (5). We also have a sweet waimarino dog named Camber who is all puppy who loves attention. When we are not at home on the weekends, we are at the race track watching the kids race and our team cars.
Hey there! I’m Franchesca, but I also go by Frankie. I worked for KO in-office in the past as a Scheduling Coordinator, and now I work remotely doing all things Marketing and Social Media related for KO as their Remote Social Media Marketing Coordinator.
If you see our...
• Newsletters
• Social Media posts
• Fliers - for contests, events, etc.
• In-office posters
... then it's likely you're seeing what I do for KO!
I went through Orthodontic treatment myself, twice. The most recent orthodontic experience was with an amazing orthodontist that you may know, Dr. Bowman! I love my smile and I love the confidence a new smile can bring each patient as their smile changes to something they truly love!
Here are some other fun facts about myself!
• I am an avid Ultimate Frisbee player
• Born in Florida, lived in Michigan a few years, and now reside in North Carolina
• Hiking is one of my favorite outdoor activities
• When not outside, I love to craft - scrapbook is my current obsession!
I love dogs, enjoy helping the environment when I can, and I am one of the individuals that love to get a paper planner each year!
Hi there, I'm Izzy, one of the Scheduling Coordinators! I have been a member of Team KO since July of 2020 and I absolutely love my time here! Interacting with everyone and being able to make a positive impact makes my day!
In my spare time you can find me painting, crafting and brushing up on my photography skills! I am a film fanatic and especially enjoy any sort of horror movies. My favorite of all time is Nosferatu which is one of the first Dracula movies ever made and is a silent film. I love to spend time with my furry and scaly friends. We take in animals with special needs to ensure they get the upmost care possible!
Thank you for taking the time to get to know me, I will see you at the front desk when you check-in! :)
Hello, I'm Morgan! I am the New Patient Coordinator at Kalamazoo Orthodontics. I joined the team in August of 2022 and have loved every minute of it.
I love meeting new patients, making connections with them and then seeing how their smiles transform. Seeing the before and after pictures for patient's is amazing and is truly a highlight of my day!
Outside of work I tend to be a homebody. I love to spend time with my husband Josiah, my two dogs, Winston and Laila, and my two cats, Dill and Callie. I love painting my nails, doing new craft projects and cooking!
When you come to the office be sure to say hello!
Hi. I'm Sue, I have been with Dr. Bowman for 14 years. I started as a scheduling coordinator and quickly moved to our financial department. I am currently the office manager. My favorite part of the job is the interaction I have with our patients daily. I love being a part of their life changing experience.
I am married with a wonderful husband of 33 years. We have two daughters and two granddaughters. I am also a musician/singer and have been playing in local bands for over 20 years.
Hi there, I'm Victoria, one of Dr. Bowman's Scheduling Coordinators! I have been a member of Team KO since January of 2024 and love being apart of such wonderful team and patients! I love building relationships with each and every patient and watching them achieve their dream smile.
On my spare time I'm either eating (I love food!), cooking/baking, working out or sleeping, you could say I'm a bit of a health nut. I have a huge heart for nature, on a rainy/snowy day you can find me sitting by a widow enjoying the weather or on a walk taking in the views. Along with nature, I also have a passion to travel and see the beauty of our world. I have been to Thailand, South Africa and England and plan to visit many more places like Greece and the Netherlands.
Thank you for taking the time to get to know me, I will see you at the front desk when you check-in! :)
Hello there! My name is Brooke and I am the newest member to the KO family! I joined the team this summer in 2024 as the Records Coordinator and have never felt more at home. Making others smile has always been a top priority of mine, and what a perfect place to do that! Between the wonderful coworkers and the amazing patients, there are no shortages of smiles in the KO office. In my position I have the pleasure of working with our newest patients to help them start their orthodontic journey, as well as the patients who are graduating and getting their braces off! One of my favorite perks of the job is being able to share the Before/After photos with patients on the day they finish treatment, their smiles are worth a thousand words.
When not working, I love to stay busy! I am an avid runner, reader, golfer, and enjoy basically any outdoor activities you can think of! I live in Kalamazoo with my boyfriend and our golden-doodle Wilson, and the three of us love to travel as much as we can. I am also currently a student at KVCC with an eventual goal of transferring and graduating with my Bachelor's in Business.
Hi, I'm Teri! I joined the KO team in November 2016 and I am the Dental Hygienist. You may not see me until the end of your treatment since I am typically the one who helps Dr. Bowman remove everything and polish your teeth!
I live in Schoolcraft with my husband and I have 2 adult son's and 2 dogs. When I am not at the office I enjoy being outside with my dogs, kayaking, traveling and going to the beach.
Wazzup! My Name is Iris. I am a clinical assistant/Spanish translator here at K.O. I joined the team a little over 7 years ago and have been in love with Orthodontics ever since. My patients are my babies & I'm very passionate about helping them achieve their dream smiles!
Outside of work I enjoy many things. I love to learn & I'm always down to try something new. I have 3 beautiful children and my husband & I just celebrated our 15th anniversary in July! What can I say... Life is good!
Hello!! My name is Haylee and I have worked for Dr.Bowman as an assistant since I graduated in 2022. I have always been passionate about oral health and interested in the dental field since I can remember. I am currently attending KVCC's dental hygiene school and I will graduate 2026 as a registered dental hygienist!! Outside of work and school I love playing soccer at soccer zone with my friends, watching Criminal Minds, going on hikes, spending time at home with my pets (2 geckos,2 snake and two kitties) and taking long undisturbed naps for 2-4 hours.
Hi! My names Savanah and I'm a clinical assistant. I've been a assistant since 2022. What I do for fun usually involves my dogs Luca and Sada and taking them for walks or re-watching my favorite shows.
Hello,
I'm Shelley. I am part of the clinical team at Kalamazoo Orthodontics. I joined this AWESOME TEAM with over 30 years of experience in May of 2017. So, I guess you could say I LOVE MY JOB.
I enjoy meeting new faces of all ages. It's fun to see the excitement the day you get your braces on
and to celebrate with you on the day your braces are removed 😊
I live in my hometown of Allegan with my rescued dog Hilo. I have 2 sons Jaret (25 yrs) and Logan (22 yrs) who just graduated from MSU.
On the weekends, you may find me putzing around my yard or playing ball with Hilo. Also, I enjoy golfing, crafting and the beach.
I have been with KO for over 5 years now and i love working with my patients and watching their progress grow into the smile they want to see by the end of their treatment. I never knew I would be working with braces every day if you had asked me 7 years ago where I think I'd be today but I am so happy I made the decision to explore this career! Aside from my work life I have a 2 year old Double doodle that I happily devote most of my free time to. Her name is Luna May and she is the best friend I could ask for. We love taking long walks on new trails and playing outside together. I also love to golf for the past 4 years now, another thing I never would have known I'd be doing! & when the weather won't allow us to enjoy any time outside doing what I love, I really enjoy a good scary movie with a yummy hot meal followed by snacks! :)