Jayne Bellando, Ph.D.

Co-Director of CoBALT

Jayne Bellando, Ph.D. is a pediatric psychologist and Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at UAMS. She works primarily at the James L. Dennis Developmental center. Dr. Bellando is the Co-Director of the CoBALT project and one of the Co-Directors of Healthy Child Care Arkansas. Her clinical work is on diagnostic teams for children with developmental concerns and in therapy for children and families.

Jaimie M. Flor, M.D.

Co-Director of CoBALT

Dr. Flor is currently co- medical director of the Community-Based Autism Liaison and Treatment (CoBALT) Project. She finished her General Pediatrics residency training in Mt. Sinai Services- Elmhurst Hospital Center in Queens, NY. Upon completion of Fellowship training in the Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Program of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Dr. Flor joined the Pediatrics Faculty as a clinical attending. Her present clinical activities include: ACH Growth and Development Clinic, and UAMS James L. Dennis Developmental Center. Dr. Flor is also the medical director of UAMS James L. Dennis Developmental Center.

Stefanie Jernigan, BS

Stefanie Jernigan has over 20 years of experience in various autism research and public health projects. She is the CoBALT project and quality improvement coordinator and is also the main contact for logistical support. Her email is jeriganstefaniel@uams.edu.

Charlotte Crawford, BA

Charlotte Crawford schedules CoBALT team appointments at the UAMS Dennis Developmental Center. She enjoys scheduling appointment dates for families and helping families with appointment-related questions.

Ebony Greer, RN

Ebony Greer is the Assistant Clinic Service Manager, RN at the UAMS James L. Dennis Developmental Center. She is the CoBALT nurse at the UAMS James L. Dennis Developmental Center and serves as their point of contact.

Sarah Ford, M.S., CCC-SLP

Sarah Ford is a Speech-Language Pathologist at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. She works in the Outpatient Speech Pathology Department at ACH evaluating and treating children with communication and feeding/swallowing difficulties.

Sheryl Davide-Ureta, MD

Sheryl Davide-Ureta, MD is a board certified pediatrician currently practicing at the Arkansas Children's Hospital General Pediatric Clinic. She completed her residency at the Stony Brook University, New York (formerly SUNY at Stony Brook). She has a special interest in special needs kids having 2 boys with ASD.

Brandi Hurtado M.S. CCC-SLP

Brandi Hurtado is a Speech-Language Pathologist at Arkansas Children's Hospital. She works in the Outpatient Speech Pathology Department evaluating and treating children with communication difficulties, social interaction difficulties, and feeding/swallowing difficulties.

Jackie Golden, MS, CCC-SLP

Jackie Golden is a Speech-Language Pathologist at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. She is bilingual and speaks English and Spanish. She works in the Outpatient Speech Pathology Department at ACH evaluating and treating children with communication and feeding/swallowing difficulties.

Abby Simpson, MS, CCC-SLP

Abby Simpson is a Speech-Language Pathologist at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. She works in the Outpatient Speech Pathology Department at ACH evaluating and treating children with communication and feeding/swallowing difficulties.

Claire Mays, MS, CCC-SLP

Claire Mays is a Speech-Language Pathologist at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. She works in the Outpatient Speech Pathology Department at ACH evaluating and treating children with communication and feeding/swallowing difficulties.

W. Curtis Patton, M.D.

W. Curtis Patton, MD is a pediatrician at East Arkansas Children’s Clinic in Forrest City AR.. Dr. Patton has 38 years of experience and has much experience working with children with special health care needs. Dr. Patton has also participated in ECHO AUTISM AR project, a tele-health educational/research project funded by Autism Speaks to increase knowledge about diagnosis, treatment and evidence-based practice for children with ASD and their families. Dr. Patton and his team have been part of the CoBALT project since 2013. Dr. Patton is also the parent of a special needs young adult.

Chelsea Kellow-Foister, DNP

Chelsea Kellow-Foister, DNP, is a doctorial prepared Nurse Practitioner and partner at East Arkansas Children’s Clinic in Forrest city Arkansas. She is a graduate from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. She has 12 years of experience working with children with special health care needs. She has worked alongside the Cobalt Team at East Arkansas Children’s clinic since 2013. She also has a special interest in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Her major areas of research and practice are clinical improvement in high-risk pediatric populations, developmental pediatrics, and adolescent risk-taking behaviors.

Ayesha Shah, MD

Ayesha Shah, MD is a pediatrician and part owner at Pediatric Associates of West Memphis and Marion in Arkansas. Dr. Shah graduated from Aga Khan University in 1990. Dr. Shah has been practicing for 24 years and is loved by her patients and her clinic all the same. She has special interest in special needs kids and is involved in outreach programs to help in any way possible. Dr. Shah is also a parent of a special needs adult. Dr. Shah and her team has been a part of the CoBalt Project since 2018.

Kasey Catt Sihvonen, MS, CCC-SLP

Kasey Catt Sihvonen, MS, CCC-SLP is a Speech Language Pathologist and owner of Small Talk in West Memphis, AR. She graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 2012. She has served children with a variety of communication disorders including speech sound disorders, language disorders, fluency disorders, and processing disorders.

Vern Ann Shotts, MD

Dr. Shotts received her medical degree from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years.

Mauri Rogers, APRN

Mauri Rogers, FNP-BC, APRN, is a licensed certified family nurse practitioner at Paragould Doctors’ Clinic. She graduated from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) with her M.N.Sc. in 2018. She focuses on health care promotion and prevention across the life span. She also has a special interest in autism. She practices with Dr. Shotts at the CoBALT clinic at Child & Adolescent Clinic in Paragould.

Samina Z. Nadvi MD

Samina Nadvi MD is a pediatrician in Fort Smith AR. She graduated from Dow Medical College in 1989 and completed her Pediatrics training at Childrens Hospital of Michigan. She has been practicing in the River Valley for over 20 years where she now works at Mercy Clinic Pediatrics MTW in Fort Smith.

Michelle Eckes MD

Michelle Eckes, MD is a pediatrician at Mercy Clinic of Fort Smith Arkansas. She graduated from University of Arizona Medical School and her residency was completed at University of Utah Children's Hospital Salt Lake City Utah. She has practiced in Fort Smith Arkansas for over 25 years.

Manar Ibrahim MD

Manar Ibrahim is a pediatrician in Fort Smith AR. She graduated from University of Cairo, Faculty of Medicine and completed her Pediatrics training at Childrens Hospital in Oklahoma City. She has been practicing in Fort Smith for over 20 years where she now works at Mercy Clinic Pediatrics MTW in Fort Smith.

James Atkins, M.D, FAAP

James Atkins, M.D. is a board-certified general pediatrician practicing in Monticello, AR. He opened his own practice, SEARK Children's Clinic, in 2023 and joined the CoBALT team the same year. Dr. Atkins graduated from the UAMS College of Medicine in 2013 and completed a pediatric residency at UAMS/Arkansas Children's Hospital in 2016. CoBALT clinic email - jatkins@searkchildrensclinic.com

Natalie Atkins, M.S., CCC-SLP

- Natalie Atkins M.S., CCC-SLP is a Speech-Language Pathologist. She graduated from UAMS in 2015. She works in the rehab department at Baptist Health -Drew County. She evaluates and treats both children and adults with communication and feeding/swallowing difficulties.

Rachel King, MD

Dr. Rachel King is a native of Ashdown, AR. She graduated from Ashdown High School and went on to receive her undergraduate degree at The University of Arkansas in 2001. Dr. King received her medical degree at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2005. After medical school she completed her internship and residency training in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital in 2009. After completing residency, Dr. King was honored to stay an additional year at Arkansas Children’s Hospital to serve as chief resident. Dr. King is board certified in Internal Medicine as well as Pediatrics. Dr. King is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the American College of Physicians. With both adult and pediatric training, she enjoys being able to take care of the whole family.

Morgan Miller, M.S. CCC-SLP

Morgan Miller is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Director of Rehabilitation services at Sevier County Medical Center. She is a graduate of UAMS and has been working as an SLP since 2018. She works with both children and adults evaluating and treating communication and feeding/swallowing difficulties.

Jayla Jacques, M.S. CCC-SLP

Jayla Jacques is a Speech-Language Pathologist at Sevier County Medical Center. She is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin and has been working as an SLP since 2020. She works in the outpatient department at SCMC evaluating and treating children with communication difficulties.

Jana Boquin, APRN, FNP-C, CPNP-PC

Jana Boquin received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She received her Masters of Science in Nursing- Family Nurse Practitioner at Walden University. She completed a Post-Masters Certificate as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at The University of Texas at Arlington. She is dual board certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. Before joining Dr. King in 2021, she was an Intensive Care Unit nurse at UAMS and Christus St. Michael.

Jill Davis, PNP-PC

With over 15 years of experience in pediatric medicine, I have dedicated my career to caring for children across a variety of settings, including emergency departments, schools, and primary care clinics. These diverse experiences have deepened my understanding of the critical role early developmental screening and diagnosis play in helping children reach their full potential—especially during the vital early years of brain development. I was honored to complete a 300-hour mini-fellowship through UAMS, where I gained comprehensive, multidisciplinary training in pediatric development. This program further equipped me to recognize developmental concerns early and provide timely support to families. I am proud to now offer COBALT testing and diagnostics in Northeast Arkansas, helping families access the tools and guidance they need to support their children’s growth and development.