Katy Sullivan, AuD, has served the needs of Word & Brown Hearing Center since 1998. She graduated in 1993 with her Master’s degree in audiology from San Francisco State University and with her Doctorate of audiology in 2008 from Central Michigan University. Dr. Sullivan is fluent in Spanish and American Sign Language. She specializes in the special needs of hearing-impaired children and adults and speaks regularly to community groups, pediatricians, neonatal ICU nurses, and ear, nose, and throat doctors to alert them to new procedures and new possibilities.
J. Christopher Townsley, AuD, CCC-A, received his Bachelor’s degree from Miami University in 1993, his Master's degree in audiology from Kent State University in 1995, and his Doctorate of audiology from the University of Florida in 2006. He completed his clinical fellowship year in Ohio before moving to California in 1997, where he worked as an independent contractor in audiology, and then for an ear/nose/throat office for 9 years. Dr. Townsley joined Word & Brown Hearing Center in 2010. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. He holds a California dispensing audiologist license.
Dr. Shaeleen Gilson received her Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Western Washington University in 2005, and received a clinical Doctorate in Audiology from University of Washington in 2008. Board certified in Audiology, Dr. Gilson is a member of the American Academy of Audiology. Her specialties include hearing aids, diagnostic audiologic evaluations, and newborn hearing screenings. Originally from the greater Seattle area, she relocated to join Providence Speech and Hearing Center in 2011 and is based in our new location at Hoag Health Center - Newport Beach. Dr. Gilson and her husband spend most of their free time chasing around their dog, exploring the wide variety of restaurants the Los Angeles area has to offer, and biking.
Dr. Natalie Perez received her Bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders from California State University, Long Beach in 2005, her Master’s degree in Audiology from California State University, Los Angeles in 2006, and her Doctorate of Audiology from the University of Florida in 2009. Before joining the Word & Brown Hearing Center team in April 2012, she worked at Sonus Hearing Care Professionals providing diagnostic hearing and balance services, and aural rehabilitative services for pediatrics and adults. Dr. Perez is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competency in Audiology (CCC-A) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She is also fluent in English and Spanish.
Kristi Petersen is an Audiology Extern at Providence Speech and Hearing Center and is expected to graduate with her Doctorate of Audiology from Arizona State University in May 2013. Kristi has dedicated much of her clinical training to providing hearing health care and audiological services to populations without access to these services in Africa, Mexico, and rural Arizona. She has been a part of the “Help Me to Hear” audiological mission in Guaymas, Mexico, as well as a founding participant of Hearing for Humanity, an audiological outreach and teaching program working with schools and orphanages in Malawi and Kenya. Kristi specializes in the needs of both pediatric and adult patients. With a passion for giving back to her community, Kristi is excited to be joining the wonderful team at Providence Speech and Hearing Center.
Amanda Ball is completing her clinical externship at Providence Speech and Hearing Center and will earn her Doctorate of Audiology through San Diego State University/University of California San Diego in August 2013 when she will continue working at Providence as an AuD. Amanda loves working with families to help facilitate better communication for infants, children, and adults with hearing loss. She also enjoys using her background and knowledge of the vestibular system to assist adults and children struggling with dizziness balance difficulties through the OC Fall Prevention and Balance Center at Providence. Amanda earned her BA in Music at UC Santa Barbara and specializes in working with musicians and music lovers to help protect their hearing and utilize assistive technologies to enjoy music to the fullest.
Martha Elena Maciel works as the Patient Care Coordinator for Word & Brown Hearing Center at Providence Speech and Hearing Center. She began her journey with the Providence team in November 2009, she is fluent in English and Spanish, and she truly enjoys connecting with patients and their family members. Martha Elena is passionate about helping people and making a difference in the lives of others each and every day.
