ADMINISTRATION
Kyle Swift, Chief Executive Officer
Kyle Swift has served as the Chief Executive Officer at Woodland Heights Medical Center in Lufkin, Texas, since 2015. Prior to this role, he served as CEO at Medical Center of South Arkansas, in El Dorado, Arkansas, and spent more than 13 years in hospital administration. Kyle received his Master of Science in healthcare administration from Trinity University and a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from Texas A&M University. He has served on a variety of community boards including, most recently, the Angelina County Chamber of Commerce and the Angelina County A&M Club. Kyle and his wife, Katy, have a 9-year-old son, Sam – an avid reader and soccer fan. Katy, a lifelong educator, has most recently served as a primary school counselor in Lufkin. Kyle and his family enjoy outdoor activities, especially saltwater fishing, and are looking forward to being closer to the coast.
Rachel Beasley, Director of Finance
Rachel Beasley joined Texas Hearing Institute in 2019. She has over 15 years of experience with healthcare related accounting and revenue cycle functions. Rachel has a passion for pediatric healthcare and a desire to streamline processes and procedures to make impactful financial changes.
Rachel is an active member of the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association since 2006, serving as President in 2020-2021. She has also spoken about healthcare leadership and mentors early careerists. Rachel received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Baylor University in 2004. She spends her time away from the office in a good book, writing a blog, and cheering on the Houston Astros with her husband, Ryan and three kids, Madison (9), Michael (7), and Maverick (5).
Amanda Martin, Executive Assistant to CEO/Human Resources
Ariel Harper, Staff Accountant
AUDIOLOGY
Jennifer Wickesberg-Summers, Au.D, CCC-A, LSLS Cert. AVT, CH-AP
Director of Audiology
Listening and Spoken Language Specialist
Dr. Wickesberg joined Texas Hearing Institute’s Audiology Department in 2006. She received her Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Oklahoma State University, her Master of Science in Audiology from the University of North Texas and her Doctorate in Audiology from the University of Florida.
Dr. Wickesberg currently serves as the Director of Audiology at Texas Hearing Institute. She is a Pediatric Audiologist and a Certified Listening and Spoken Language Specialist. Dr. Wickesberg continues to specialize in both fields with a focus on cochlear implants, as well as listening and spoken language milestones for children identified with hearing loss. Her love of music and literacy has influenced her recent therapy focus to include an emphasis on melody as an integral part of early intervention for infants and children. Utilizing music therapy experiences as a vehicle to engage the entire family, she encourages a fun and motivating way to improve a child’s communication skills, building a strong neural foundation within the brain from infancy.
In addition to her clinical work, she shares her expertise and dedication to spoken language outcomes at the state, national, and international level; recruits and trains fourth-year Au.D. externs; and mentors other aspiring listening and spoken language professionals.
Dr. Wickesberg also lends her expertise in Pediatric Audiology to the LoneStar LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities) program, teaching one of their 16 core disciplines. Its mission is to prepare future leaders in the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders and neurodevelopmental disabilities (ASD/ND), increase the rate of accurate diagnosis in Texas, empower families to be an active participant in their child’s treatment plan, and to improve ASD/ND service delivery.
She is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology (AAA), holds her certification as a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist with the AG Bell Academy, and is a member of the Texas Academy of Audiology and the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Sierra Schulte, Au.D., CCC-A
Pediatric Audiologist
Melinda Webb School Audiology Coordinator
Dr. Schulte joined Texas Hearing Institute's Audiology Department in 2016. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas in Austin and her Doctorate in Audiology (Au.D.) from Pacific University in Oregon in 2016. Dr. Schulte is passionate about early intervention and providing well-rounded audiologic care to all of her patients. Dr. Schulte provides clinical services at Texas Hearing Institute, including pediatric hearing evaluations, auditory brainstem response (ABR) hearing aid evaluations and fittings, and cochlear implant services. She also serves as the Audiology Manager for the Melinda Webb School. She is clinically certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology (AAA).
Madalyn Keeslar, Au.D.
Pediatric Audiologist
Dr. Madalyn Keeslar is a pediatric audiologist at Texas Hearing Institute. She completed her Doctorate in Audiology (Au.D.) at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and received her Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Dr. Keeslar completed her audiology externship at Norton Children’s Healthcare in Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Keeslar is a certified Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) fellow and has received specialized training in interdisciplinary services for individuals with developmental delays.
She is passionate about helping patients and families navigate their hearing loss journey by providing well-rounded audiological and interdisciplinary care.
Tylar McDaniel, Au.D.
Pediatric Audiologist
Dr. Tylar McDaniel received her Doctorate in Audiology (Au.D.) with a Specialization in Pediatric Audiology from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and completed her Bachelor of Arts in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Dr. McDaniel completed her Audiology externship at Texas Hearing Institute and joined the Audiology Department after graduation. She is extremely passionate about hearing healthcare and is excited to continue supporting the children and families at Texas Hearing Institute on their hearing journeys.
Jessica Spiro, Au.D., CCC-A, CH-AP
Cochlear Implant Clinic Program Manager
Pediatric Audiologist
Dr. Jessica Spiro joined Texas Hearing Institute’s Audiology Department in 2012. She received her Doctorate in Audiology (Au.D.) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Spiro is passionate about equity in pediatric hearing healthcare. She provides clinical services including pediatric hearing evaluations, auditory brainstem response (ABR) evaluations, hearing aid evaluations and fittings, and cochlear implant services. Dr. Spiro also manages the Texas Hearing Institute’s cochlear implant program.
Dr. Spiro previously worked as an educational audiologist in Aldine Independent School District.
Tressica August, Audiology Extern
Tressica is one of our newest externs from the University of Texas at Dallas. She has a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders from Texas State University and a Masters of Deaf Education and Hearing Science from the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio.
Tressica has always had a heart for children and Listening and Spoken Language. She spent five years in speech therapy and three years in the classroom as a Deaf educator before pursuing her doctorate in Audiology. Tressica is a Houston-area native and is very excited to be able to come home with her husband and two kids while doing what she loves. She is also ready to enjoy all of the great food Houston has to offer and love on all the kiddos at Texas Hearing Institute!
Stephanie Ortega, Audiology Extern
Stephanie is a Doctor of Audiology student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She graduated cum laude from the University of Florida with a Bachelor's of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Stephanie is a Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) fellow and has received specialized training in interdisciplinary services for individuals with developmental delays and their families. She has been published in the The Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention for her collaborative research in North Carolina hearing screening protocols.
Stephanie is bilingual and earned her Spanish medical interpreter certificate. She is excited to pursue a career in pediatrics, especially with the Spanish-speaking patients at Texas Hearing Institute.
Brooke Renee Tilton, Audiology Extern
Brooke is from Baytown, Texas, and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Houston. She will graduate next year from Lamar University with her Doctorate in Audiology. Brooke has seen an audiologist all her life, which introduced her to the field. She is passionate about being an advocate for hearing health and providing educational resources to families impacted by hearing loss.
Brooke's favorite hobbies are running and crafting.
Nancy Maher, Audiology Administrative Team Manager
Jennifer Martinez, Patient Care Coordinator
Dalia Padilla, Patient Care Coordinator
Development and Marketing
Mary Collins Raun, Director of Development and Marketing
Jennifer Cate, Grant Writer
Katie Westman, Sr. Graphic Designer
Schoenstatt Nichols, Development Manager
Misael Morales, Development and Marketing Coordinator
FAMILY SERVICES
Kasie LeBlanc, M.S., LSLS Cert. AVEd
Educational Liaison
Kasie LeBlanc joined Texas Hearing Institute in 2016. She received a Master of Science in Deaf Education from Washington University in 2011. Kasie has a passion for early literacy, self-advocacy, and parent empowerment. She provides mentoring to Melinda Webb School teachers and she serves as The Melinda Webb School Enrollment Coordinator. She also supports families across 21+ districts in the greater Houston area in her role as the educational liaison. She provides community outreach on a variety of topics related to hearing loss. Kasie co-leads Buddies at Texas Hearing and the parent support groups at Texas Hearing Institute.
Kasie LeBlanc has also presented about Developing Self-Advocacy and Professionalism in Teens at the 2021 AG Bell LSL Symposium.
MELINDA WEBB SCHOOL
Sarabeth Fly, M.S., LSLS Cert. AVEd, Director of Education
Sarai Velasquez, MWS Coordinator
Ana Rodriguez, MWS Secretary
Ciara Aluko, Language Teacher
Diana Dehler, M.Ed., LSLS Cert. AVEd
Instructional Specialist
Diana joined the Melinda Webb School in 2013. She received a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Saint Louis University in 2010 and a Master of Education in Deaf Education from Utah State University in 2012. Diana has a passion for working with families of young children with hearing loss and supporting their child’s journey through acquiring listening and spoken language. As the LEAP teacher, Diana teaches toddler students enrolled in our part-time program and provides auditory verbal support to parents through bimonthly parent sessions. She also provides mentoring to first-year teachers, and mentors Melinda Webb School teachers working toward their Listening and Spoken Language Certification.
Diana has presented at the EHDI Annual Conference and AG Bell Symposium. During her time at the Melinda Webb School, Diana has taught toddler, pre-K, and kindergarten students. She has also supervised graduate students in their student teaching placements at the Melinda Webb School.
Lillian Dominguez, M.DEHS, CED
Language Teacher
Lillian Dominguez joined the Melinda Webb School in 2020. She received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Houston Baptist University in 2015, a post-Baccalaureate degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Houston in 2017, and a Master of Deaf Education and Hearing Science from UT Health San Antonio in 2020. Lillian has a passion for helping children with hearing loss and language development. She is an active member of AG Bell.
McKenzie Gard, Language Teacher
Megan Gerlach, MDEHS, CED
Language Teacher
Megan joined the Melinda Webb School in 2016 as an Associate Teacher and was promoted to Language Teacher in 2020. She received a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Ohio University and a Master’s in Deaf Education and Hearing Science from the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio. Megan has a passion for educating toddlers through play and songs.
Javiya Gray, CDA
Teacher Assistant Kinder
Ms. Javiya joined the Melinda Webb School in 1992, in the Extended Day Program. She received her Child Development Associates (CDA) certification from The Council for Professional Recognition in 2000.
She has extensive experience working with kids, including being a Counselor and Director of the Summer Day Camp Program and Extended Day Program, and teaching Art.
Ms. Javiya has a passion for early childhood development and is committed to helping students and families during those crucial, formative years. She is involved in the NAEYC, as well as the TAAEYC.
Esperanza Guerrero, Co-Teacher
Shantell Horn, MWS Teaching Assistant
Toddler Teaching Assistant
LaToya Martin, M.Ed.
Kindergarten Language Teacher
LaToya joined the Melinda Webb School in 2008. She received a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders from Lamar University in 2005 and a Master’s in Deaf Education and Hearing Science from UT Health Science Center in 2008. LaToya has a passion for cultivating her student’s listening and spoken language skills and preparing them to transition into a mainstream classroom.
LaToya and has been featured in Voyage Houston. While pursuing her graduate degree, LaToya was an Associate Teacher at Sunshine Cottage in San Antonio.
Belinda Mendoza, M.Ed.
Co-Enrollment Language Teacher
Belinda joined the Melinda Webb School in August 2016. She received a Master’s of Deaf Education and Hearing Science from UT Health San Antonio in 2017. Belinda has a passion for helping children with hearing loss reach their full listening and spoken language potential, and she is currently pursuing her certification as a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist from the AG Bell Academy.
Arlene Mora, MWS Teaching Assistant
Toddler Teaching Assistant
Francesca Soda, M.Ed., CED
Toddler Language Teacher
Anam Syed, M.DEHS, CED
Pre-K 3 Language Teacher
Anam joined the Melinda Webb School in 2020. She received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Houston in 2016 and a Master of Deaf Education and Hearing Science from the UT Health Science Center in San Antonio. She has a passion for language acquisition in deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Anam is an active member of AG Bell.
Sophia Talavera, MWS Teaching Assistant
Bre'Anne White
Pre-K 4 Classroom Teacher
Bre'Anne joined the Melinda Webb School in 2020. She received a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Houston in 2020. Bre’Anne has a passion for education with an emphasis on populations with special needs.
Xochitl Zuniga, Toddler Classroom Teacher
Sheri Middleton, Librarian
SPEECH THERAPY SERVICES
Amy Cantu, M.A., CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT
Listening Spoken Language Specialist
Director of Speech Services
Amy Cantu joined Texas Hearing Institute's Speech Clinic in 2007. She received a Master of Arts in Communication Disorders from the University of Houston in 2007. Amy is passionate about the assessment and treatment of hearing loss and is involved in the TSHA Business Management Committee.
Amy has also spoken at both state and national conferences about the assessment and treatment of hearing loss and been featured in the International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders on the topic of dual language versus English-only support for bilingual children with hearing loss who use cochlear implants and hearing aids. She has mentored undergraduate and graduate students and professionals in the development of spoken language in children with hearing loss and has taught classes at the University of Houston on the topic of pediatric hearing loss.
Daena Busby, Speech Clinic Coordinator
Michelle Bayne, Speech-Language Pathologist
Hannah Birnie, MSP, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT
Listening and Spoken Language Speciailst
Speech-Language Pathologist
Hannah joined Texas Hearing Institute's Speech Clinic in 2020. She received a Master’s in Speech Pathology with a specialization in Auditory Verbal Therapy from the University of South Carolina in 2016. Hannah is passionate about working with children, empowering families, collaborating, and educating others about listening and spoken language outcomes for children with hearing loss.
Hanna Dickson, M.A., CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT
Listening and Spoken Language Specialist
Speech-Language Pathologist
Hanna has been with Texas Hearing Institute since 2007. She received her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from The University of Houston. Hanna is passionate about helping caregivers of children with hearing loss navigate their journey toward a listening and spoken language outcome for their child.
At Texas Hearing Institute, Hanna is involved in LSLS mentorship, speech and language evaluations, and aural rehabilitation services, and is the coordinator for Project TALK. She is a member of the AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Hanna has lectured on developing spoken language and auditory skills in children with hearing loss at multiple conventions and has contributed to peer reviewed research on bilingual children with hearing loss.
Libby Flores, Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant
Amy Huddleston, M.A., CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT
Listening and Spoken Language Specialist
Speech-Language Pathologist
Amy joined Texas Hearing Institute's Speech Clinic in 2016. She received a Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Houston in 2016 and was certified as a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist in 2019. Amy is passionate about helping kids with hearing loss reach their full potential for listening and spoken language through education and training, as well as empowering their families. Amy coordinates Texas Hearing’s Project L.E.A.D. program and serves as a committee member for the Speech Improvement Committee and the Enrollment Committee for the Melinda Webb School. Amy has also spoken at the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention.
Jana Krenek, Speech-Language Pathologist
Lunell Martin, M.A., CCC-SLP
Listening and Spoken Language Mentee, Speech-Language Pathologist
Lunell Martin joined Texas Hearing Institute's Speech Clinic in 2018. She received a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Houston in 2017. She also majored in Human Development and Family Services. Lunell is certified by the American Speech Language Hearing Association and licensed by the Texas State Board of Examiner for Speech Language Pathology. She is in the process of becoming a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist.
Lunell is a member of the AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Texas Speech Language Hearing Association, and Houston Association for Communication Disorders. Lunell is passionate about helping children reach their full potential, along with educating and helping families navigate communication options while creating an environment for the child to bond with their family and thrive.
Kelsey McKey, Speech-Language Pathologist
Kelsey joined Texas Hearing Institute's Speech Clinic in 2019. She received a Master’s degree in Communication Disorders from University of Houston in 2019. Kelsey is passionate about working with children and helping families understand more about hearing loss. She is involved in the Buddies at Texas Hearing program and Project L.E.A.D.
Joanna Santos, Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist
Peyton Stephens, M.S. CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT
Cochlear Implant Speech Clinic Coordinator, Listening and Spoken Language Specialist
Peyton joined Texas Hearing Institute's Speech Clinic in 2012. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Disorders from Baylor University and a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from University of Texas at Dallas. Peyton received her Clinical Certificate of Competence from ASHA in 2011 and her Listening and Spoken Language Certification as an Auditory – Verbal Therapist in 2015. Peyton is passionate about helping children with hearing loss and collaborating with other professionals. She is involved in our Speech Improvement Committee, Outreach and Grant Planning, and our Texas Hearing Institute Rewards and Recognition Team.
Peyton has spoken at The National CMV Conference, Alexander Graham Bell Convention, and the Texas Speech and Hearing Association Convention.
Prior to coming to the Texas Hearing Institute, Peyton worked for two and a half years in Richardson ISD as a school-based speech language pathologist.
