Amanda Star, AuD, CCC-A

Dr. Amanda (Mandy) Star is a clinical audiologist specializing in diagnostic hearing assessments and treatment for both pediatric and adult patients. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and her Doctorate of Audiology at Ball State University in Indiana. Prior to joining ENT Center of the Ozarks, she completed specialized clinical training at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. In her spare time, Mandy enjoys playing with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog, Finn.

James Ragland, MD

Dr. James Ragland, born in Little Rock, Arkansas, is a highly skilled otolaryngologist with a passion for patient care. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arkansas in 1999, followed by a medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Dr. Ragland completed his residency in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at the same institution in 2008. He practiced for 13 years at Mercy Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic before transitioning to his current role as Chief of Staff at MD Hair Labs and Vitality, where he specializes in men’s hair restoration, eyebrow restoration and aesthetic medicine. Board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology, Dr. Ragland is committed to delivering excellence and ensuring patient satisfaction. Outside of his medical practice, he enjoys spending time with his family and cheering on the University of Arkansas Razorbacks.

Kelsey Siebenmorgen, AuD, CCC-A

Dr. Kelsey Siebenmorgen is a clinical audiologist with experience in adult and pediatric diagnostic assessment and adult amplification. She is an Arkansas native and received her bachelor’s degree in communication disorders from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and her Doctor of Audiology from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She enjoys helping patients improve their quality of life through hearing health care. Kelsey and her husband have one daughter and two dogs. She is an avid Razorback fan and enjoys reading.

Brittany Akers, APRN

Brittany is a family nurse practitioner and a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She earned her Bachelors of Science and Doctorate in Nursing Practice from the University of Arkansas. She enjoys treating a variety of ear, nose and throat conditions and seamlessly collaborating with our providers. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, reading and spending time outside.

Joanna Wakefield, AuD, CCC-A

Dr. Joanna Wakefield is a clinical audiologist with experience in pediatric and adult diagnostic assessment and pediatric amplification. She received her bachelor’s degree in communication disorders from Ouachita Baptist University and her master’s degree in audiology from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, followed by her Doctor of Audiology from the University of Florida. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is a founding member of the Arkansas Academy of Audiology. Joanna and her husband have two beautiful daughters and enjoy traveling.

Del Sloneker, MD

Dr. Sloneker is a native of Northwest Arkansas, graduating from both Springdale High School and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville before going on to attend medical school at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences where he earned honors in research. After leaving UAMS, Dr. Sloneker was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army. He then travelled to Tacoma and Seattle Washington to complete his residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck surgery at Madigan Army Medical Center. While stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Dr. Sloneker was deployed for nine months in Iraq serving as the commander of a head and neck unit.

After nine years in the military, Dr. Sloneker completed a fellowship in Head and Neck Surgical Oncology and Microvascular Reconstruction as well as transoral robotic surgery at UAMS. Dr. Sloneker’s goal is to bring the highest level of head and neck cancer care to Northwest Arkansas.

Dr. Sloneker’s outside interests include spending time with his wife Chelsea and their four children, in addition to camping, backpacking, fly fishing and mountain biking.

Cory Vaughn, MD

Dr. Cory Vaughn was born and raised in Nashville, TN. He received his undergraduate degree from University of Alabama and attended medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Dr. Vaughn then went on to complete his otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residency at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. There he was given the position of chief resident and presented with the Excellence in Pediatric Otolaryngology Award.

Dr. Vaughn is trained in treating problems along the entire breadth of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. He has special interest in the surgical treatment of diseases of the ear, including endoscopic and minimally invasive tympanic membrane reconstruction, cholesteatoma removal, middle ear reconstruction, and hearing loss. He also has special interest in surgical treatment of thyroid and parathyroid disease as well as correction of functional nasal problems, including septoplasty, sinus surgery, open and minimally invasive rhinoplasty techniques.

In his free time, Dr. Vaughn spends time with his wife and their three dogs. He enjoys all outdoor activities and is a proud mediocre mountain biker, golfer and tennis player. He volunteers as a Clinical Assistant Professor for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Dr. Vaughn enjoys providing up to date information on medical treatments and surgical advances in otolaryngology on Twitter at CoryvaughnE and Instagram at coryvaughnmd_ent.

Mary O’Brien, AuD, CCC-A

Dr. Mary O’Brien is an audiologist specializing in adult and pediatric hearing assessment and treatment as well as balance evaluation and treatment. She is a native of Northwest Arkansas and received her bachelor’s degree in communication disorders from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and her Doctor of Audiology from the University of Memphis.

She is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Dr. O’Brien enjoys getting to know her patients and creating individualized rehabilitation plans which focus on personal communication needs.

Dana Alexander, CPOP

Dana Alexander grew up around family members in the medical field, which helped foster an interest in pursuing a career in the health care industry. When an opportunity to join the audiology department at the Ear, Nose, & Throat Center of the Ozarks became available, she knew the position would be an excellent fit for her interests and would allow her to help people successfully manage their hearing loss.

Dana has completed the Certificate Program for Otolaryngology Personnel. She specializes in audiological evaluations, hearing aid care, repairs, and vestibular testing. She is married and has a son and daughter that make her proud. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, playing sports, exploring the outdoors and spending quality time with family and friends.

Lance Manning, MD, FACS

Dr. Manning is a triple-boarded certified surgeon who returned to Northwest Arkansas from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. While at Mayo Clinic, he completed an internship in General Surgery, a residency in Otorhinolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, and went on to become a Chief Resident Associate and instructor of Otolaryngology. He enjoys and practices all areas of pediatric and adult ear, nose, and throat surgery and has special interests in the areas of thyroid and parathyroid surgery, sinus surgery, sleep medicine, and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Manning has strong ties to Northwest Arkansas. He graduated from Bentonville High School and the University of Arkansas. Before going on to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences to pursue a career in medicine, he worked for several local businesses including Tyson Foods. Dr. Manning and his family are happy to once again be part of the Northwest Arkansas community.

Dr. Manning serves in multiple local, regional and national leadership roles. He serves as the President and CEO of the Ear, Nose and Throat Center of the Ozarks and co-founder of Ozark Facial Plastic Surgery. He also currently serves as principal for MedHead Management Consulting. Dr. Manning serves on the respective boards of directors for several large regional physician hospital organizations. Nationally, he serves in multiple leadership roles for Board of Governors of the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. He also serves the Academy as an advisor for medical informatics and practice management, and education, and as an expert consultant in the areas of emotional intelligence and alternative payment models in medicine where he has created significant educational content in these areas.

He is a full fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the American Board of Sleep Medicine and also the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

Dr. Manning also volunteers as a Clinical Assistant Professor for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and proudly serves in multiple volunteer roles for local and national non-profit organizations.