Dr. Denis Gurulev, DDS
I originally graduated with a BBA in HR management, had a pretty standard entry level job afterwards, but decided to seek more excitement and responsibility in life and joined the Army, becoming a Field Artillery officer. Eventually I figured I wanted to have a lifestyle with more geographical stability. After getting out of the Army I went back to undergrad for prerequisites for dental school for two years and got accepted into and attended NYU College of Dentistry. I decided not to hang around the New York area and seek my happiness in the South. Although, most of my life I spent in various parts of New York, I am looking to call El Paso my home one of those days. I worked for 15 months in Las Cruces, and am generally pleased with the Southwest.
Dr. Bryna Strong, DMD
Dr. Bryna Strong is a general dentist who relocated to Alamogordo, NM, due to her husband's Air Force reassignment. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, graduating Summa Cum Laude from Auburn University in 2019, and earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry in 2023 with her husband. Dr. Strong received multiple awards during dental school, including the Alabama Dental Alumni Association Award for Leadership, Joseph F. Volker Award, and the American Student Dental Association Award of Excellence. Dr. Strong is also a proud mother, with her baby boy turning 1 in January. She is particularly passionate about cosmetic dentistry and is excited to help her patients achieve their best smiles.
Dr. Joshua Elliss, DMD
During his undergraduate studies at Dixie State College – St. George and Utah State College, Josh Elliss was awarded the Dr. Barnum Research award and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. Dr. Elliss then attended the University of Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine; he was also an extern at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, where he was exposed to modern cosmetic and occlusion techniques. Upon graduation from UNLV, he was awarded the Quintessence Award for his research during school and the Outstanding Student Award from the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain. After schooling, Dr. Ellis practiced in Dallas, Texas, prior to moving his family to Las Cruces.
“Growing up in a small town next to Zion’s National Park in southern Utah, I cultivated a love for outdoors and hiking at an early age. I am grateful to now look out my window every day and see the beautiful Organ Mountains so close by. Las Cruces is a unique and diverse place and my family feels at home here.”
Dr. Elliss is currently involved in local cub scouts and enjoys being a supporter of NMSU athletics and student organizations.
“Growing up in a small town next to Zion’s National Park in southern Utah, I cultivated a love for outdoors and hiking at an early age. I am grateful to now look out my window every day and see the beautiful Organ Mountains so close by. Las Cruces is a unique and diverse place and my family feels at home here.”
Dr. Elliss is currently involved in local cub scouts and enjoys being a supporter of NMSU athletics and student organizations.
Dr. Roberto Espinoza, DDS
Born and raised in New Mexico, at a young age Dr. Espinoza knew he wanted to be a dentist. The path was not always straight and clear but with encouragement from his family, friends and church he had faith he would achieve his goal. He started to develop a hard work ethic while attending Las Cruces High School and working at Memorial Medical Center as a Sanitation Aid.
After graduating from high school and completing a certificate as a Certified Nursing Assistance, he worked at Las Cruces Nursing Center and attended NMSU School of Business and College of Arts and Sciences to complete pre-dental requirements. Upon completing his Bachelors in Business Administration and all pre-dental requirements, he was accepted into Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. There he served as class president all four years and was a part of the Dean's List for academic achievements. In his senior year he was nominated and won several leadership awards including recognition by the California Dental Association for research and the Prince Award.
Dr. Espinoza was accepted into the University of New Mexico Advanced General Dentistry program. He studied an extra year of day-to-day dental procedures in a clinic and hospital setting, as well as LV. sedation, dental implants, endodontic, fixed and removal prosthodontics, advanced pediatric cases, periodontal surgeries, impacted wisdom teeth removal, emergency dentistry and preventative dentistry. It was an intense year but working with specialists in each of those areas has helped mold him into a better dentist that wants to continue to grow and learn.
After graduating from high school and completing a certificate as a Certified Nursing Assistance, he worked at Las Cruces Nursing Center and attended NMSU School of Business and College of Arts and Sciences to complete pre-dental requirements. Upon completing his Bachelors in Business Administration and all pre-dental requirements, he was accepted into Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. There he served as class president all four years and was a part of the Dean's List for academic achievements. In his senior year he was nominated and won several leadership awards including recognition by the California Dental Association for research and the Prince Award.
Dr. Espinoza was accepted into the University of New Mexico Advanced General Dentistry program. He studied an extra year of day-to-day dental procedures in a clinic and hospital setting, as well as LV. sedation, dental implants, endodontic, fixed and removal prosthodontics, advanced pediatric cases, periodontal surgeries, impacted wisdom teeth removal, emergency dentistry and preventative dentistry. It was an intense year but working with specialists in each of those areas has helped mold him into a better dentist that wants to continue to grow and learn.
Dr. Cory Thompson, DDS
Dr. Cory Thompson attended Arizona State University where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish. Dr. Thompson then went on to graduate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine out east where he loved the seasons but learned to appreciate the fact that you never have to shovel sunshine.
At his family’s request/urging, Dr. Thompson set out to practice in the desert southwest. After some time spent in Arizona, Las Cruces became home and he and his family have grown to love the area and the people.
“There is a uniqueness about Las Cruces and Southern New Mexico that I really enjoy. I love the spectacular mountain views and White Sands National Park. This is a place that my family and I are excited to call home. I am looking forward to helping the people of Las Cruces with their dental needs and I am excited about the many wonderful options that we can provide for you.”
“There is a uniqueness about Las Cruces and Southern New Mexico that I really enjoy. I love the spectacular mountain views and White Sands National Park. This is a place that my family and I are excited to call home. I am looking forward to helping the people of Las Cruces with their dental needs and I am excited about the many wonderful options that we can provide for you.”
Dr. Lason Barney, DDS
I was raised on a dairy farm in southern Arizona by loving and supportive parents. They taught my multiple siblings and me many important life lessons, including hard work and the meaning of family and life. I love sports and participated in all that was available. In wrestling, I had opportunities to travel to several states, including Hawaii, and even internationally to Australia. School has always been important. I graduated from Benson Union High school as Salutatorian. After high school, I attended Arizona State University for a semester. I then served a two-year mission in the country of Croatia for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. My mission taught me to love and appreciate others different from myself and to love and appreciate the blessing given to me. I continued school at ASU, at this time, I met my talented and beautiful wife, and we were married between semesters. Two years later, we were blessed with a beautiful daughter. I graduated with honors with a degree in Child Development. I used this degree to teach kindergarten, and it is true that all you need to learn you can learn in kindergarten, mainly treating others how you want to be treated. I taught school for one year and then attended Dental School at The University of Colorado School of Dentistry, in Denver. I enjoyed school, made many lifetime friends, was blessed with another daughter, and graduated Sum Cum Laude.
After graduation, we moved to Carlsbad, NM, and I worked there as a dentist for 15 years and gained much knowledge and skill about dentistry. I worked a lot with children but did all types of dentistry. I watched my girls grow up and enjoyed watching them dance and cheer. I helped coach wrestling at the high school and coached high school cheer for a couple of years. As a family, we decided that it was time to move here to the Las Cruces area and are excited for the opportunities here for work, for my wife and myself, and school for my Daughter. We are expecting to love the area and make it our new home.
After graduation, we moved to Carlsbad, NM, and I worked there as a dentist for 15 years and gained much knowledge and skill about dentistry. I worked a lot with children but did all types of dentistry. I watched my girls grow up and enjoyed watching them dance and cheer. I helped coach wrestling at the high school and coached high school cheer for a couple of years. As a family, we decided that it was time to move here to the Las Cruces area and are excited for the opportunities here for work, for my wife and myself, and school for my Daughter. We are expecting to love the area and make it our new home.