Matt Hinsley, M.D., Peter Shepard, M.D., David Brown,
M.D., and Tom Thomason, M.D.
Staff
Dr. Kathleen Weidner, Au.D., Director of Hearing Health Care Center
Dr. Kathleen Weidner, Au.D., Director of Audiology, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology, ASHA Doctor of Audiology, and state licensed dispensing audiologist who has been practicing audiology for over 15 years.
Dr. Weidner earned her Master of Science degree in Audiology from the University of New Mexico in 1996 and was awarded her Doctoral degree in Clinical Audiology in 2005 from A.T. Still University of Health Sciences, a department of Arizona University of Health Sciences. She previously received a Bachelor Degree in Communicative Disorders from the University of New Mexico.
As the Director of Audiology, Dr. Weidner instills her team with the philosophy that the patient comes first. "Our patients are the reason we are here. We need to care for our patients with the utmost respect, professionalism and, above all, we need to be empathetic to the situations our patients face. "
As to why Dr. Weidner chose audiology as her career, she finds audiology to be a rewarding field. "It is inspiring to watch a patient evolve as they reconnect with family and community. Their confidence and their quality of life and work also continue to improve during rehabilitation of their hearing loss." She also enjoys the opportunity to train and mentor students as they become future leaders in the field of audiology. She finds the role of mentor to be symbiotic – she learns as much from the students' fresh perspectives as they learn from her experience.
As a part of Southwestern Ear, Nose & Throat, Dr. Weidner enjoys the comprehensive team approach as she works with like-minded physicians committed to serve northern New Mexico with accountability, integrity and respect for all of our patients.
Dr. Weidner is a native New Mexican currently living in Albuquerque. She enjoys spending time with her two grandchildren, swimming and water volleyball, as well as gardening.
Dr. Elaine Almquist, Au.D., CCC-A
Dispensing Audiologist
Dr. Elaine Almquist, Au.D. recently joined Southwestern Ear, Nose & Throat, first as an extern while she completed the requirements of her audiology degree (Au.D.), and now as a Doctor of Audiology who will work primarily as a Dispensing Audiologist.
Dr. Almquist was awarded her Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree from University of Kansas Medical Center in May 2010. She previously received two Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of New Mexico – Speech & Hearing Sciences, as well as an English degree with an emphasis in Professional Writing.
Dr. Almquist states her job satisfaction comes from making a patient and his/her family at ease while helping to provide a better quality of life through improved communication. She believes that patients need to have confidence in their health providers. Every encounter with a patient or family member is an opportunity to earn a patient’s trust and to demonstrate Southwestern Ear, Nose & Throat (SWENT) provides thorough, quality care.
One of the reasons Dr. Almquist enjoys working at SWENT is the support she gets from the physicians and other colleagues. There is an atmosphere here which encourages intellectual curiosity, as well as an emphasis on continuing education in order to provide the best care possible to all of SWENT’s patients.
Elaine has purchased a home in Santa Fe – her first! It has been a challenge to get her home and yard in shape, but all is looking beautiful now. As you can imagine, one of her newest hobbies is landscaping and xeriscape gardening. She also enjoys reading, writing and movies at home (movies in the theater are too loud!).
Diane Kean
Audiology Operations Manager
Diane Kean joined the Hearing Care Center at Southwestern Ear, Nose & Throat (SWENT) in October 2009. Prior to working at SWENT, she managed an orthopaedic surgery practice, worked as a human resource professional at Los Alamos National Laboratory and for Pillsbury, and managed several departments for Bloomingdale’s at Mall of America in Minnesota. She has a degree in English and Speech Communication from Iowa State University and is currently completing a Masters in Healthcare Administration from Ohio University.
Diane enjoys working at SWENT because she gets to learn about a new/different medical group and specialty. She has learned a lot about hearing aids – especially why they are so important to patients and their families. She believes that everyone should have access to hearing amplification and encourages others to contact congress and discuss insurance coverage with their human resource departments or insurance companies.
Diane grew up working and living on a farm in northwest Iowa. She moved to New Mexico from Minnesota in 2009. After living in NM for the past 10 years, she has found her home. She enjoys raising and spoiling her dogs, spending time with her husband, family and friends, as well as reading and learning about an eclectic mix of topics.
Laura Gonzalez Jamison, Au.D.
Dispensing Audiologist
Laura E. Gonzalez-Jamison joined Southwestern Ear, Nose & Throat (SWENT) as a graduate student in June 2010. She graduated from the Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico in June 2011 with an Audiology Doctoral degree.
Laura likes working as an Audiology Extern at SWENT because she is helping people to improve two of the most important aspects of being human – health and communication. Helping a person to communicate more effectively in order to maintain or improve his/her lifestyle is satisfying to Laura.
Laura’s professional philosophy is to ensure that a patient walks away with no doubts or questions regarding his/her hearing or balance condition. She strives to be available for patients and to be their resource to solve any issues related to hearing or balance illnesses.
Laura is enjoying Santa Fe. She believes in enjoying life as it is, embracing every opportunity and learning from her experiences. Her motto is to "live life one minute at a time, but most importantly, live without regrets."
Eileen Ocampo, MS, CCC-A
Diagnostic Audiologist
Eileen Ocampo joined Southwestern Ear, Nose and Throat (SWENT) seven and a half years ago after working as a pediatric Audiologist for a few years. She graduated with an MS in Audiology from the University of New Mexico in 2000. She has a BS degree in Communication Disorders from New Mexico State University (1998). She currently is our lead Diagnostic Audiologist – training, supervising and mentoring our graduate students.
Eileen enjoys the challenge of testing and assisting in the diagnosis of various illnesses and diseases as a part of the diagnostic team at SWENT. She also enjoys meeting and caring for a variety of patients. She is very skilled at what she does, providing valuable insight to the physicians.
For Eileen, the patient comes first. As a mentor, she embodies the tenets of service that our Audiology department practices. She enjoys working with the staff and physicians of SWENT. According to Eileen, the staff are "amazing and friendly" and the practice is a family friendly environment.
Eileen is a native New Mexican, married with a five year old daughter and a one year old son. She enjoys spending time with her family, watching kids in all their activities including soccer and T-ball.
Todd Powell, Au.D.
Dispensing Audiologist
Dr. Todd Powell joined Southwestern Ear, Nose & Throat Associates (SWENT) in April of 2010 as a graduate student. Todd completed his doctoral degree at the A.T. Still University of Health Sciences at Arizona University in August 2011. He has a BA in Speech and Hearing Science from the University of New Mexico as well. Todd provide diagnostic audiology services, as well as dispensing and treating patients with hearing aids.
In the past, Dr. Powell provided newborn hearing screening tests at University of New Mexico Hospital and has had several clinical practicum opportunities with Ear, Nose and Throat practices, hospitals and other private practices.
Dr. Powell likes working in Audiology because it allows him to help those who feel isolated from friends and family. Improving patients' hearing improves their quality of life and is a job well done.
Dr. Powell puts his patients' needs above all else. Listening to their needs and wants, then providing them with the best service he can provide is the philosophy Todd uses when treating patients.
As a native New Mexican and audiologist, Todd is proud to be a part of SWENT. Although he has not been here very long, he has observed how the physicians and staff work together to address the needs of patients. He believes that SWENT is one of the best ENT practices for patients who are seeking ear, nose and throat care.
Jennifer Sandoval
Audiology Technician
Jennifer Sandoval has been working with Southwestern Ear, Nose & Throat (SWENT) for more than seven (7) years. She started as the Audiology Coordinator, but since has graduated from Nova Southeastern University in Florida (May, 2008) as an Audiologist’s Assistant in Amplification.
Many patients of the Hearing Care Center at SWENT know Jennifer and rely on her support and service for ALL things related to hearing aids. She prides herself on treating patients with the utmost respect, dignity and kindness that all deserve.
Jennifer enjoys meeting and working with new people every day. She gets satisfaction from making a positive difference in the lives of our patients and their families. She states that "seeing the look on an individual’s face after they have been taken care of is such a rewarding experience."
As to why Jennifer works at SWENT, she believes working here is like working with a family. Everyone is always there for each other. She also is very appreciative of the opportunities she has been given to learn and grow in audiology.
Jennifer is a native New Mexican, married 27 years with three children and two grandchildren. She keeps herself busy cooking for friends and family, as well as listening to music.
Michele Blevins
Customer Service
Michele moved to Albuquerque, NM in 2005 from South Carolina where she worked in the hospitality * tourism industry. After being in New Mexico a few years, she decided to make a career change into the medical field.
Michele attended Horry Georgetown Tech in South Carolina for Hospitality & Tourism Management. While living in Albuquerque, she completed a Medical Billing & Coding program in preparation for her career change. Michele hopes to eventually continue with her education to become an Audiology Technician, after gaining more experience and knowledge in this field.
Michele has been married for twenty years and has two grown daughters of whom she is extremely proud. She enjoys reading, taking care of her pets and plants.
Michele has been with the Southwestern Ear, Nose & Throat family since August of 2011 and has thoroughly enjoyed being a part of such a great team. She enjoys being here because of our patients, the rest of the staff, and the continuous learning experiences. "Everyone has been so helpful and the work continues to be interesting and challenging."
We are very happy to welcome Michele to the team!
Arlene Alderete
Customer Service
Arlene Alderete joined Southwestern Ear Nose and Throat (SWENT) in April of 2011. Previously she worked in a Private K-12 school for 13 years as both a teacher and business manager until the school had to close. She is currently taking courses to obtain a Business Degree.
Arlene enjoys working at SWENT because it is a new and challenging field. She values the knowledge she has acquired while working as an Audiology Customer Service staff member. She especially takes pleasure in helping patients in any way she can.
Arlene moved to New Mexico from Utah in 1983 and loves it. She has been married 25 years and has 3 children and 2 granddaughters. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, cooking, working with computers and watching her kids play in sports.
We are very happy to welcome Arlene to the team!
