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
Amanda Martin, Executive Assistant to CEO/Human Resources
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.
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.
Daena Busby, Speech Clinic Coordinator
Alejandra De Leon, M.S., B.S., SLP-Assistant
Bilingual Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Alejandra De Leon joined Texas Hearing Institute's Speech Clinic in 2019. She received her Master of Science in Communication Science and Disorders from Universidad Especializada de las Americas in 2021. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Science and Disorders from Texas A&M-Kingsville in 2013 and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Texas Pan-American in 2011. As a Spanish-speaking therapist, she is excited and passionate about extending services to bilingual families at Texas Hearing Institute.
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.
Claudia Hanford, M.A., CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT
Bilingual Listening and Spoken Language Specialist
Claudia joined Texas Hearing Institute's Speech Clinic in 2017. She received a Bachelor of Art in Special Education and Communication Disorders from Augustana College in 2003. She received a Master’s in Speech Language Pathology from the University of South Dakota in 2005. Claudia received her Listening and Spoken Language Certification in 2015. Claudia is passionate about empowering families and helping children with hearing loss attain confidence and self-esteem while achieving success and attaining their goals and dreams. She dedicates her time to work trying to improve the outcomes of the bilingual population she serves.
Raised in Lima, Perú, she moved to the U.S. in 1999 to attend college. Since then, Claudia has conducted in-services pertaining to hearing loss and auditory verbal therapy and bilingualism at Texas Children's Hospital. She is a member of ASHA and AGBELL and was a member of the Cochlear Implant Team at Texas Children’s Hospital.
She has experience working in home health, hospital, clinic, and school settings.
Amy Huddleston, M.A., CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT
Listening and Spoken Language Mentee
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.
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.
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.
Michelle Bayne, Speech-Language Pathologist
Mona Yaacoubi, Speech-Language Pathologist
AUDIOLOGY
Jennifer Wickesberg-Summers, AU.D, CCC-A, LSLS Cert. AVT, CH-AP
Director of Audiology, Listening and Spoken Language Specialist, Cochlear Implant Team Manager
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.
Katharina Boyce, Au.D.
Pediatric Audiologist
Dr. Katharina Boyce provides pediatric hearing evaluations, Auditory Brainstem Response evaluations, and cochlear implant candidacy evaluations and mapping. She is certified by the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology (AAA).
Dr. Boyce earned a Doctorate in Audiology (Au.D.) from the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, where she focused on providing high-quality interdisciplinary patient care by participating in the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program. Prior to attending UNC, Dr. Boyce earned a Bachelor of Communication Disorders and a Bachelor of German Studies from Brigham Young University. Upon completing her Audiology externship at Riley Hospital for Children, Dr. Boyce was a clinical audiologist at OSF St. Francis Medical Center servicing the Children’s Hospital of Illinois and the St. Jude Midwest Affiliate Clinic.
Julie Cordell, Au.D., CCC-A, FAAA, CH-AP
Senior Pediatric Audiologist
Externship Coordinator
Dr. Julie Cordell joined Texas Hearing Institute's Audiology Department in 2015. She received a Doctorate of Audiology from University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 2013. Dr. Julie Cordell is passionate about advocating for her patients and helping them become their own self-advocate as well as helping families navigate a new diagnosis of hearing loss. She also leads our externship program as manager/coordinator and serves as a primary preceptor for our future audiology doctoral students.
Megan Marsh, Au.D., CCC-A
Cochlear Implant Clinic Program Manager
Dr. Marsh joined Texas Hearing Institute's Audiology Department in 2016. Dr. Marsh received a Doctorate in Audiology from the University of Oklahoma in 2012. Dr. Marsh is passionate about working with patients and their families to find the best options for each individual, and she manages the Texas Hearing Institute’s cochlear implant program.
Dr. Marsh has also spoken at the American Cochlear Implant Alliance. She has been published in The Journal of the American Academy of Audiology and Otology and Neurotology for her collaborative research in the field of cochlear implants.
Dr. Marsh has previously worked at Hearts for Hearing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Cochlear Americas. She has extensive training and experience working with children and adults with cochlear implants and hearing aids.
Keely Offutt, Au.D., ABAC, CH-AP
Pediatric Audiologist
Dr. Offutt is a Pediatric Audiologist at Texas Hearing Institute. She attended the University of Missouri for her undergraduate degree and the University of Iowa for her Master’s degree in Audiology. She went on to earn her Doctor of Audiology degree from A.T. Still University in 2008. Dr. Offutt provides clinical services at Texas Hearing Institute, including pediatric evaluations, auditory brainstem response (ABR) evaluations, and hearing aid evaluations and fittings. She is American Board of Audiology Certified (ABAC), a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology, and is a member of the American Society of Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists. Her research has been published in the February 2002 Ear and Hearing journal and in the September 2002 Journal of the American Academy of Audiology.
Ashlynn Parker, Au.D., CCC-A
Pediatric Audiologist
Ashlynn Parker, is a Pediatric Audiologist at Texas Hearing Institute. She completed her Doctorate in Audiology (Au.D.) at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. Dr. Parker completed her Audiology externship at Texas Hearing Institute and became a member of the Audiology Department following graduation.
Ashlynn is passionate about early identification and intervention as it pertains to hearing loss. She strives to demonstrate compassion to each patient and their families while guiding them through their next steps. Additionally, she relies on evidenced-based practices to ensure the best personalized care for each patient.
Ashlynn provides clinical services, including pediatric hearing evaluations, auditory brainstem response evaluations, hearing aid evaluations and fittings, osseointegrated evaluations and fittings, and is undergoing training for cochlear implant mapping.
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).
Tylar McDaniel, Audiology Extern
Nancy Maher, Audiology Administrative Team Manager
Jennifer Martinez, Patient Care Coordinator
Dalia Padilla, Patient Care 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.
Laura Zelaya, Social Worker
MELINDA WEBB SCHOOL
Sarabeth Fly, M.S., LSLS Cert. AVEd, Director of Education
Sarai Velasquez, MWS Coordinator
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.
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.
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.
LaToya Martinez, 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.
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.
Rachel Kruse, B.S., Classroom Teacher
Bre'Anne White, Toddler Teaching Assistant
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.
Kristine Glosson, Teaching Assistant
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.
Lauren Leighton, Pre-K 3 Teaching Assistant
Lauren is thrilled to be a part of the Texas Hearing Institute and Melinda Webb School family. Lauren's daughter, Logan Nicole, has bilateral cochlear implants and has attended the school since she was 18 months old. Lauren brings unique perspective and experiences to her teaching role since her own daughter is on a journey of hearing. Lauren has spent the majority of her life in Texas and graduated from Harding University in Arkansas.
Arlene Mora, MWS Teaching Assistant
Eme Offiong, B.S., Teaching Assistant
Nallely Tamez, Toddler Teaching Assistant
Francesca Soda, M.Ed., CED, Toddler Language Teacher
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.
Sheri Middleton, Librarian
Xochitl Zuniga, MWS Teaching Assistant
Development and Marketing
Mary Collins Raun, Director of Development and Marketing
Jennifer Cate, Grant Writer
Katie Westman, Sr. Graphic Designer
Schoenstatt Nichols, Communications and Events Coordinator
