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 past and present clinical activities include: ACH Growth and Development Clinic, ACH Connective Tissue Clinic and UAMS James L. Dennis Developmental Center. Dr. Flor is also the co-director of the Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Residency rotation.

Stefanie Jernigan, BS

Stefanie Jernigan, BS, has over 15 years of experience in various autism research and public health projects. She is the CoBALT project coordinator and is the main contact for logistical support. Her email is jeriganstefaniel@uams.edu

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.

Katie Lienhart, M.S., CCC-SLP

Katie Lienhart, M.S., CCC-SLP 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.

Laura Clark, APRN

Laura Clark is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and Pediatric Mental Health Specialist who works at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in the General Pediatric Clinic. Ms. Clark formerly was an APRN at the James L. Dennis Developmental Center for many years and has experience in screening and diagnosing children with developmental concerns. She is certified through the Pediatric National Certification Board in Pediatric Primary Care and as a Mental Health Specialist. We are pleased that she has joined our CoBALT project and completed her CoBALT training in 2017.

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.

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.

Kelly Gray, LCSW

Kelly Gray, LCSW is a clinical social worker who has worked within an integrated care system for the past 5 years. She received her training at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and has experience working with inpatient and outpatient populations.

Barry Allen, M.D.

Barry Allen, MD graduated from the University Of Arkansas College Of Medicine in 1973. He has been in practice for 44 years, specializing in the treatment of pediatric patients.

Ronald Beckel, MD

Ronald Beckel, MD is a primary care pediatrician. He is part owner of Mountain View Clinic in Mena and is also a faculty member at Mena Region Health System.

Kelley Dotson, ARPN

Kelley Dotson, ARPN is a primary care pediatric nurse practitioner. She is employed with Mountain View Clinic where she serves the residents of her hometown of Mena and the surrounding rural communities.

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.

Miranda White MSN, FNP-C

Miranda White MSN, FNP-C completed her undergraduate studies at Baptist College of Health Sciences in 2007 and received her BSN. She is married to her loving husband of 14 years and mother of 3. She completed her graduate studies at University of Memphis-Loewenberg College of Nursing and received her MSN in 2017. She has been practicing as an Family Nurse Practitioner since 2017 serving various communities. In spring of 2019, she found a love for providing care for the pediatric population. Miranda White currently practices as a FNP advocating for pediatric patients in West Memphis, Arkansas. She states, “I am able to impact entire families in a positive way.” Her love for Jesus, family, and community drives her to push for greater health care and education for all.

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.