Clinical Staff

Carol Clifford, AU.D : Doctor Of Audiology

Carol Clifford, AU.D

Doctor Of Audiology

Carol Clifford, founder of Albuquerque Hearing & Balance, is dedicated to excellence in patient care. A nationally renowned speaker in the Hearing Industries, Carol chose to return to the rewarding practice of clinical audiology, understanding that she can provide profound changes to patients with hearing loss. Carol received her Bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders from Colorado State University in 1983, her Master’s Degree in Audiology & Hearing Impairment in 1984 from Northwestern University, and her Doctorate in 2006 from A.T. Stills University. She completed her Clinical Fellowship Year at Glen Ellyn Clinic in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, where she specialized in the evaluation and treatment of children with hearing disorders. As part of a medical team at Rush-Presbyterian Medical Center and Rush University, Carol obtained valuable knowledge that she has utilized in her hearing care endeavors.

In 1987, Carol purchased her first audiology practice in Chicago, Illinois, specializing in medical diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of hearing loss and balance disorders for both children and adults. In 8 years there, she directed a group of audiologists and served more than 100 physicians in the Chicago suburban area. In 1993, Carol returned to Albuquerque where she served as Director of the Audiology Clinic for University Hospital at the University of New Mexico. At the same time, she established the nation’s largest audiology network for managed care groups. Always interested in the research and development of new products to aid persons with hearing impairment, Carol served as Director of Professional Education and Training for ReSound Corporation from 1996 to 1998.

Carol opened Albuquerque Hearing & Balance in 1998 with the ambition of providing the highest quality service to the New Mexico community.

Tammy Sawyer, MS, CCC-A, FAAA : Clinical Audiologist

Tammy Sawyer, MS, CCC-A, FAAA

Clinical Audiologist

Tammy Sawyer joined Albuquerque Hearing & Balance in the summer of 2011. She obtained her Bachelor’s degrees from Adrian College in Sociology and Psychology in 1979 and her Master’s in Audiology from Minot State University in 1988. Tammy has worked in a number of settings with the deaf and hard of hearing. She was a counselor at Marie Katzenbach School for the Deaf in West Trenton and a Hearing Aid Dispenser for the Canadian Hearing Society. During this time, she began developing diagnostic programs for testing infants and children as well as for patients in hospital settings. She served as a Pediatric Audiologist at both Sebastian County Health Clinic in Ft. Smith, Arkansas and at Welsely Medical Center in Wichita Kansas. She also worked as a Clinical Audiologist at Willis Knighton South Medical Center. Before joining Albuquerque Hearing & Balance, Tammy devoted her life to her two daughters and husband. Her husband was in the Air Force, moving their family to Germany and eventually back to New Mexico. Now that her children are teenagers, we were able to convince Tammy to become part of our team! Tammy’s expertise in diagnostics combined with her warm-mannered nature allows her to successfully help Albuquerque Hearing & Balance reach more people with hearing loss!

Tara Harmon-McElheney, AU.D : Doctor Of Audiology

Tara Harmon-McElheney, AU.D

Doctor Of Audiology

Tara Harmon-McElheney joined Albuquerque Hearing & Balance in June 2015. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of New Mexico in 2010 and her Doctoral degree from Louisiana Tech University in May, 2016. Tara is pleased to have returned home to family. She is eager to serve her community while expanding her knowledge in such a diverse clinical setting. When not studying, Tara enjoys spending time with her family, baking, traveling and crafts.

Maria Jaunakais, AU.D : Doctor Of Audiology

Maria Jaunakais, AU.D

Doctor Of Audiology

Maria joined Albuquerque Hearing and Balance in September 2017 following three years of clinical practice with Albuquerque Speech Language Hearing Center. She moved to Albuquerque in May 2014 after decades in the humid mid-Atlantic. Maria received her Bachelors in Hearing and Speech Sciences from the University of Maryland in College Park, earned her Doctorate of Audiology from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and completed a one-year fellowship at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. Her clinical interests include rehabilitation with hearing instruments in both pediatric and adult populations, cochlear implants in adults, and custom hearing protection for industrial and recreational settings. She works with patients across the lifespan and with all levels of hearing acuity.

Caitlynne Gentry, AU.D : Doctor Of Audiology

Caitlynne Gentry, AU.D

Doctor Of Audiology

Caitlynne Gentry joined Albuquerque Hearing and Balance in July 2018. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Speech Language and Hearing Science from the University of Arizona and her Doctorate in Audiology from A.T. Still University in 2018. Caitlynne completed her externship year at a large ENT practice in North Carolina where she performed diagnostic hearing and balance testing for patients of all ages, as well as fitting hearing devices. She enjoys solving problems and helping patients achieve a better quality of life.

When not at work, Caitlynne can be found cooking, quilting, and playing board games.

Leah Fry, AU.D : Doctor Of Audiology

Leah Fry, AU.D

Doctor Of Audiology

Leah Fry joined Albuquerque Hearing & Balance in Summer of 2018. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Communications Sciences and Disorders in 2010 and her Doctoral degree in 2015 from the University of Utah. Leah is also certified in Tinnitus Retraining Therapy, and Vestibular Assessment & Management. Leah moved to New Mexico from Utah in 2017. Clinically she enjoys working with hearing instruments, cochlear implants, bone anchored implants, vestibular issues, tinnitus, and patient education. Working with patients of all ages helps to continue expanding her clinical expertise. She is passionate about assisting patients on their individual paths to better hearing, and ear health as well as teaching new generations of audiologists. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, crafting, reading, climbing, and spending time with her family.

Morgan Fry, DPT NCS : Doctor Of Physical Therapy

Morgan Fry, DPT NCS

Doctor Of Physical Therapy

Morgan Fry joined Albuquerque hearing and balance in September 2018. Not originally from New Mexico he grew up in Utah getting his Bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports science in 2010 from the University of Utah, then attending the University of the Pacific to attain his Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Morgan served his last clinical internship in Malawi, Africa which helped solidify his passion and responsibility in helping people through the rehabilitation process. During his career he has worked in a variety of setting from outpatient orthopedic, acute rehabilitation and acute care including working in the ICU. His journey into the niche of vestibular and balance rehabilitation began recently where he developed and started a vestibular rehab clinic in Santa Fe. He is excited to be at a clinic that is so focused on quality patient care and patient outcomes because this is why he became a therapist. This specialty has been immensely rewarding as he gets to see people get back to their lives that they thought was lost in the dizziness.

When he’s not in the clinic you will most likely find Morgan on a cliff somewhere, he’s been an avid rock climber since he was 10. He also loves traveling with his wife wherever the road takes them, it’s always an adventure.

Colleen Danaher, DPT NCS : Doctor of Physical Therapy

Colleen Danaher, DPT NCS

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Colleen joined Albuquerque Balance and Hearing in January 2023 after moving to New Mexico from Rhode Island. Colleen received her Bachelors in Biological Sciences & Secondary Education in May 2009 from Salve Regina University in Newport, RI. She later changed careers & received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at the University of Connecticut, graduating in May 2016. She then spent 16 months completing a neurologic physical therapy residency at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh, PA. It was during her residency that Colleen became very interested in vestibular rehabilitation. Colleen is most passionate about central vestibular disorders, particularly non-athletic concussion & vestibular migraine, though she does treat all types of vestibular dysfunction. Outside of work she enjoys music, reading, & arts/crafts.

Joslyn Parsons, AU.D : Doctor of Audiology

Joslyn Parsons, AU.D

Doctor of Audiology

Joslyn joined Albuquerque Hearing and Balance in July 2023. She received her Bachelors of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Appalachian State University (Boone, NC) in 2019 and her Doctorate in Audiology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2023. Joslyn completed her externship year at the VA Puget Sound Healthcare System in Seattle, Washington, where she provided hearing and vestibular services to the Veteran population. As an audiologist with childhood hearing loss herself, she wears hearing aids and enjoys working with her patients to find a hearing solution that will provide them with the most benefit. Her clinical interests also include vestibular testing and tinnitus management. In her free time, you can find her reading, playing piano, taking care of her plants, exploring New Mexico, and going to concerts.