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.
Archives: Staff Bios
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.
Kristina Davis, PA-C
Kristina Davis earned her master’s degree in physician associates studies from the University of Oklahoma in 2016. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Arkansas Academy of Physician Assistants and the Society of PAs in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. She enjoys working in the operating room as well as seeing patients post operatively. While in the clinic, she sees patients with a wide variety of ENT disorders including ear, allergy and sleep conditions.
Caroline Morrison, APRN
Caroline Morrison is a family nurse practitioner who earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Arkansas and Master of Science in Nursing from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and holds her state licensure through the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. Caroline enjoys working alongside our providers in treating sinus and ear-related pathologies. In her spare time, Caroline enjoys being with her husband, son and two dogs. She enjoys being outside, reading, and traveling.
R. Hope Gillison, AuD, CCC-A/FAAA
Dr. Hope Gillison is a cochlear implant audiologist who also specializes in balance, vestibular testing, auditory processing disorder, aural rehabilitation and telehealth. She graduated from Louisiana Tech University at Ruston, Louisiana with her master’s and Arizona School of Health Sciences with her Doctor of Audiology. Dr. Gillison is a member of The American Academy of Audiology, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and Arkansas Academy of Audiology.
Prior to joining ENT Center of the Ozarks, she served for 15 years at the Department of Veterans Affairs as an audiologist and supervisor. In 2019, Dr. Gillison was awarded the 1LT. Frank B. Walkup IV Distinguished Service Award for her special contributions made to the Association of VA Audiologists and to VA audiology through VA- related activities. She was also nominated and selected as the 2021 American Academy of Audiology Conference Chair.
Her passion is audiology, and she likes being a part of change, growth and assisting patients achieve a better quality of life. In her spare time, she enjoys watching her two sons play sports and spending quality time with husband, friends, and family.
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.
Jared R. Spencer, MD
Dr. Spencer is a native of Pocatello, Idaho. He completed his undergraduate education at Brigham Young University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude, and attended medical school at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle.
He completed an internship in general surgery and residency training in otolaryngology-head & neck surgery at the University of Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York. Dr. Spencer then went on to complete subspecialty fellowship training through the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, working at the prestigious Mittelman Plastic Surgery Center and Stanford University Medical Center in Northern California.
His practice includes all aspects of pediatric and adult otolaryngology-head & neck surgery, with a particular emphasis and expertise in facial aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Spencer has rich experience in aging-face surgery (face, neck, brow and eyelids), nasal contouring (rhinoplasty) and minimally invasive techniques for facial rejuvenation (Botox®, fillers and skin resurfacing). His overriding goal is to obtain natural-appearing aesthetics while maintaining the highest level of patient safety. He is board certified by both the American Board of Otolaryngology and the American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.
Throughout his career and education, Dr. Spencer has been the recipient of numerous scholarships and academic awards; he has also published articles and book chapters on various head, neck and facial surgery topics. Dr. Spencer is on staff at both the Springdale and Bentonville campus of Northwest Medical Center and Washington Regional Medical Center. He is also the co-founder and director of Ozark Facial Plastic Surgery, the first center in Northwest Arkansas focusing exclusively on surgery and rejuvenation of the face and neck.
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.