It's all about teamwork
The Advanced Head & Neck Rehabilitation Center of Texas strives to provide the highest level of rehabilitative care with the compassion and understanding that patients deserve. Patients of The Center form trusting relationships and receive personalized care from the clinical team. Although there are many different people involved in your overall rehabilitative journey, this clinical staff ensures you have the best rehabilitative care available.
KATRINA M. JENSEN, M.A., CCC-SLP
Center Director
Katrina has been practicing exclusively in the field of Head & Neck rehabilitation for 25 years, including her training with the surgeons from the University of Pittsburgh. Following her 4 years training in Pittsburgh, in 2000, she returned to her hometown of San Diego where she developed comprehensive Head & Neck programs focused on alaryngeal rehabilitation as well as swallowing and voice disorders. In 2007, she joined Texas Health Care to establish their Head & Neck rehabilitation program, which has since evolved to become the Advanced Head & Neck Rehabilitation Center of Texas. "The Center," as it is commonly known, now serves as the largest rehab center of its kind in Texas, caring for the rehabilitative needs of patients throughout the region as well as international patients. Throughout her career, Katrina has published and lectured extensively in the fields of laryngectomy rehabilitation as well as medically based voice, dysphagia & swallowing disorders. She’s well recognized both nationally and internationally for her expertise in these fields and frequently provides consultative services to similar programs, both in the US as well as abroad.
Katrina's passion and enthusiasm for this unique population is evident throughout her work, In 2010, she founded NTLS, a non-profit organization which serves to benefit head & neck cancer survivorship through education, support and financial assistance. NTLS has grown tremendously since its inception and now is the largest non-profit organization of its kind for Head & Neck Cancer in Texas.
More recently, Katrina began conducting practices and research surrounding gastroesophageal and laryngopharyngeal reflux, particularly as it pertains to the head & neck cancer population. As a result, The Center works extensively with gastroenterologists and surgeons of various specialties to comprehensively care for this population. With this implementation of services, The Advanced Head & Neck Rehabilitation Center of Texas is now able to provide the most comprehensive swallowing, dysphagia and reflux evaluations in the area. Katrina has a proven record for advancing the field of head & neck rehabilitation. She and her team at The Center continue to raise the bar for rehabilitative excellence.
Katrina's passion and enthusiasm for this unique population is evident throughout her work, In 2010, she founded NTLS, a non-profit organization which serves to benefit head & neck cancer survivorship through education, support and financial assistance. NTLS has grown tremendously since its inception and now is the largest non-profit organization of its kind for Head & Neck Cancer in Texas.
More recently, Katrina began conducting practices and research surrounding gastroesophageal and laryngopharyngeal reflux, particularly as it pertains to the head & neck cancer population. As a result, The Center works extensively with gastroenterologists and surgeons of various specialties to comprehensively care for this population. With this implementation of services, The Advanced Head & Neck Rehabilitation Center of Texas is now able to provide the most comprehensive swallowing, dysphagia and reflux evaluations in the area. Katrina has a proven record for advancing the field of head & neck rehabilitation. She and her team at The Center continue to raise the bar for rehabilitative excellence.
Madi Caruthers
Center Program Coordinator
|
Before joining Texas Health Care, Madi worked in the nutrition field, helping ensure patients met their nutritional goals. She moved on the work with Dr. Jesse Smith, where she gained her understanding of the head & neck cancer population. In December 2021, she joined The Center and now coordinates all appointments across the four metroplex locations.
When she's not at The Center, Madi is kept very busy keeping up with her two young children and her husband. |
Makayla Maddux- Zaring, M.S., CCC-SLP
Medical Speech Pathologist
|
Makayla received her undergraduate degree from Texas Christian University in 2013. She joined Texas Health Care after completing her Master's Degree at Baylor University in 2015 where she focused her interest in the field of head & neck oncology & rehabilitation. After completing the intense two year fellowship training with Katrina, Makayla has become one of the powerhouse clinicians at The Center and serves as the primary SLP for the Colleyville office.
When Makayla is not working, she loves a great game of trivia, singing Karaoke and listening to her husband perform with his band. |
ALLISON THOMPSON-KHaN, M.S., CCC-SLP
Medical Speech Pathologist
|
After earning her Master's Degree from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2010, Allison completed her initial training at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center before joining Texas Health Care in 2011. She then completed an intensive two year fellowship program under Katrina and is the most senior of the clinical staff. Allison is an extremely compassionate clinician and is committed to providing the most advanced techniques and methodologies for evaluating and treating this population. Allison is an avid runner and has been known to take vacations to participate in marathons! More than anything, Allison enjoys spending time with her husband and active twin daughters.
|
Johnna Headley, M.s., CCC-slp
Medical Speech Pathologist
|
Johnna is from a tiny North Texas town called Paradise. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Woman's University in 2018 and her Master of Science degree from TWU in 2020.
Johnna specializes in laryngopharyngeal reflux and voice therapy. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors, and watching sports. Her favorite part of her job is connecting with patients! |
"Fellows"
As part of Katrina's commitment to improve the understanding of rehabilitative needs within the unique head & neck cancer population, she maintains a rigorous fellowship training program. "Fellows" have all earned at least a Master's Degree and are heavily supervised throughout their fellowship tenure. It is not uncommon to see "new" or "unfamiliar" faces around The Center. These are the budding new clinicians of the future, and they greatly appreciate the opportunity to learn and develop their skills and expertise through patient interactions.
