2008 40 Under 40 Honoree: Matthew Kienstra

Kienstra, the director of facial trauma service at St. John’s Hospital and Clinics, says he’s been teaching others since his own days as a medical student at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.

“(I) have taught, counseled and mentored numerous college and medical students, as well as residents, nurses and medical staff of all levels,” he says. “My participation in national organizations has affected the practice of medicine within my specialty.”

Kienstra enjoys furthering the interests of patients and the expertise of his specialty. He enjoys speaking and lecturing about the rapidly changing field of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

“It is changing very rapidly,” Kienstra says. “It is changing more in the details than major breakthroughs. I specialize in facial reconstruction and rhinoplasty; those are the things I talk about the most.”

As a reviewer for journals, Kienstra is able to contribute to the field while remaining abreast of current techniques and developments.

“The key is to weed out the wheat from the chaff,” Kienstra says.

“I tend to go over a lot more unnecessary articles than the general journals are seeing. What is done wrong always helps you, either in your own research or reviewing other articles.”

In addition to his work as a lecturer and reviewer, Kienstra participates in the certification process for the American Board of Facial, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He’s also served as a representative to the American College of Surgeons and the American Medical Association and on the editorial committee for the Journal of the Greene County Medical Society.

Now that he’s finished training, and is settling down at St. John’s, Kienstra is looking forward to getting involved in other community endeavors.

“I would like to further involve myself in the Springfield community and plan to join a volunteer board and become an active member of it,” says Kienstra, a graduate of Leadership Springfield Class XXIII.

“I also wish to develop a research interest in conjunction with local university assistance,” he adds.

Double Play

Birth date: Feb. 20, 1969

Family: Wife Kristie; daughter Katherine Victoria, 14 months.

Philosophy to live/work by: Work hard, play hard.

In a fantasy world, which professional sport would you play? Hockey. It’s the fastest, most physically challenging, most exciting and most mentally challenging.

Information accurate at the time of the honor.[[In-content Ad]]