Our Doctors
Our team of doctors has 86 years of combined experience. Our doctors studied at 3 different universities, and each has unique skills and interests. They work well as a team and consult each other regularly on their cases.
Hires W. Gage D.V.M.
Dr. Hires Gage grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, graduating from Southwest High School in 1969. His interest in veterinary medicine originated from working summers on his grandfather's dairy farm near Lawrence, Kansas during junior high and high school. Hires began college at the University of Kansas, but transferred to the University of Missouri-Columbia after two and a half years in order to pursue his veterinary medicine career in earnest. He received a B.S. in Agriculture in 1973, and his D.V.M. in 1977. Late in vet school his interest shifted from large animals to companion animals. After graduation he accepted an associate position in Las Vegas and spent two years there before receiving an opportunity to return to Kansas City. He joined Fairway Animal Hospital in 1979 and purchased the practice in 1981.
Dr. Gage is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), KVMA, KCVMA, and American Animal Hospital Association. He has served two terms as president of the KCVMA. In the community, Dr. Gage has been on the board of Children's Center for the Visually Impaired, and is presently on the board of Pets for Life.
Hires and his wife Gail have been married for 29 years. They have two children, Bailey, age 25, who is in her second year of veterinary school at Kansas State University and Logan, age 21. Three pets complete their household. They are Doris, a red Lab; Pookie, a Cockalier; and Margaret, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
When away from Fairway Animal Hospital, Dr. Gage enjoys playing golf, watching sports, fishing, hunting upland game and waterfowl with Doris and vacationing with his family.
Stephen H. White D.V.M., D.A.B.V.P.
Dr. Steve White joined Fairway Animal Hospital in 1985 after receiving his D.V.M. from Kansas State University. He grew up in Kansas City, and attended Rockhurst High School, where he made his decision to pursue veterinary medicine as a career. As a life-long resident of Kansas City he felt fortunate to be able to return to his hometown and join the well-respected Fairway Animal Hospital practice. In 1992, he attained his certification as a Diplomat of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. He is also a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), KVMA, KCVMA, and the American Animal Hospital Association.
Dr. White met his wife, Lisa in 1988. Shortly after they met, Lisa brought her Dachshund, Bridget, in to him for puppy shots. Lisa thought that since Bridget approved of Steve, he must be a pretty good guy. Two years later, Steve and Lisa were married and began to raise a family. They have two daughters, Kimberly, age 20, and Kathryn, age 18. Kimberly is a junior at Benedictine College and Kathryn is a freshman.
Currently, Steve and his family live in Prairie Village with Leo and Petey, two rescue Dachshunds. During his free time, Steve enjoys being with his family, woodworking, fly fishing, gardening, reading and studying scripture and theology. He teaches high school religious education at Curé of Ars Catholic Church, his family parish.
Cynthia D. Risen D.V.M.
Dr. Cindy Risen joined the staff Fairway Animal Hospital in 2002. She came from another small animal practice in south Johnson County. Cindy received her D.V.M. degree in 1999 from Kansas State University. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), KCVMA, and American Animal Hospital Association.
Dr. Risen grew up in Kansas City, and attended Shawnee Mission West High School. In 1985, she received an undergraduate degree, B.S. in Agriculture, from Kansas State University. After graduation, Cindy moved to Los Angeles and worked as an animal control officer for five years. The job was very rewarding and enabled her to care for animals in a unique way. After that experience, she moved back to Kansas to pursue her D.V.M. degree.
Cindy has three dogs, Dollie, also known as “Pug the Pug”, Abner, a “substandard” Dachshund, and Gertrude, a Rottweiler. All are foster dogs turned permanent residents. Cindy has four cats that she describes as living with Capuchin monkeys. They are Bunny Van Winkle, a Manx; Ping, a Siamese; Max, a black and white domestic shorthair; and Sunshine, an orange tabby. Cindy does have one pet that she bought. Cabin Fever is a quarter horse gelding she purchased for one dollar from a friend.
Dr. Risen enjoys volunteering for area shelters and rescue groups. Cindy is on the board of Heartland SPCA. She also likes to spend time with friends and family, riding and going to horse shows, painting, reading and watching bad television.
Serena H. Turner, D.V.M.
Dr. Serena Turner joined Fairway Animal Hospital as an associate veterinarian in 2001, after graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia College of Veterinary Medicine. She worked as a veterinary assistant and technician at Red Bridge Animal Clinic in south Kansas City for 12 years prior to pursuing her veterinary degree. Dr. Turner is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), KCVMA, and the American Animal Hospital Association.
Serena grew up with a menagerie of pets, including dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs, fish and horses, all part of her life-long pursuit of veterinary medicine. Her current pets include Shaylee and Iris, both Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Slick, an orange and white domestic shorthair cat; and Downtown, a brown tabby domestic shorthair cat, two betas and a hermit crab. A foster dog occasionally joins the crew.
Dr. Turner and her husband, Brian live in the Brookside area of Kansas City, Missouri, and have three children, Nora, age 6, Caitlin, age 4, and Elliot, age 2. Serena enjoys spending time with her family and watching her children grow and change. Her other interests include vegetarian cooking, scrap booking, endlessly working on her 100 year old house, and being active in her parish, Visitation Catholic Church. When she and Brian can get away, they enjoy spending time at their cabin in the Missouri Ozarks, where hiking, fishing, relaxing, and watching the pets and kids enjoy their freedom are favorite pastimes.
Julie M. Hendershot D.V.M.
Dr. Julie Hendershot joined Fairway Animal Hospital in June, 2008 after graduating from Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Julie grew up in Kansas City and graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School. She went on to receive her B.A. in history and French from William Jewell College prior to pursuing her D.V.M. degree. She is a member of KCVMA and AAHA.
Julie and her husband Jake live downtown in Columbus Park with two “kids’. They are Pierre and Hermione, both poodle mixes.
Dr. Hendershot’s particular area of interest is surgery. Away from work, Julie enjoys supporting Sporting Kansas City soccer, snowboarding, traveling, and helping at Jake’s restaurant, Pandolfi’s Deli.
You can follow Dr. Hendershot on twitter @DrJulieH for pet-related facts and tips.
