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.

Sharon B Goode, MS, CCC-SLP

Sharon B Goode, MS, CCC-SLP, is a Speech Language Pathologist Specialist in West Memphis, Arkansas. She graduated with honors in 1987. She has more than 32 years of diverse experiences, especially in speech-language pathology.

Casey Stewart, MD

Dr. Casey Stewart is a board certified pediatrician who completed her residency at Arkansas Children's Hospital and is practicing at RVPCS Northside Clinic in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She had 20+ years’ experience treating pediatric patients.

Jennifer Johnson, MD

Dr. Jennifer Johnson is a board certified pediatrician who completed her residency at Arkansas Children's Hospital and is practicing at RVPCS Northside Clinic in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She had 20+ years’ experience treating pediatric patients.

Wansley Harrison, LCSW

In, 2012, I relocated to Fort Smith after I graduated with my master's degree from the University of South Carolina. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a preference of mental health. My role with River Valley Primacy Care Services is to encompass behavioral issues that impact health and being able to implement smooth transition of onsite crisis situations. Also providing assessments and treatment for a variety of mental health problems including depression, anxiety, insomnia, schizophrenia, memory loss, grief, PTSD, ADHD, and substance misuse. I am proud to be a part of the Cobalt family.

Dusty Colburn, APRN

Dusty Colburn is a board certified APRN specializing in Pediatrics. She works with Drs. Stewart and Johnson at RVPCS Northside Clinic.

Elda Santos, MA

Elda Santos is an bilingual MA at RVPCS Northside clinic. She serves as interpreter and has been trained in ADEC testing for Spanish speaking patients.

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.