WHO WE ARE
We are made up of a team of professionals dedicated to providing the best quality healthcare in a responsive and caring environment. Our otolaryngologists are all Board Certified with decades of experience in the profession.
They work in concert with nurses and office staff who try to understand your health issues quickly and apply the right treatment to get you back to your optimal health.
Our practice is working together to realize a shared vision of uncompromising excellence in medical care.
To fulfill this mission, we are committed to:
- Listening to those we are privileged to serve.
- Earn the trust and respect of patients, profession and community.
- Exceed your expectations.
- Ensure a creative, challenging and compassionate professional environment.
- Strive for continuous improvement at all levels.
Gary D. Goodnight
D.O.
Dr. Goodnight is a graduate of the School of Pharmacy, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford, Oklahoma. After practicing Pharmacy for 5 years in Shawnee, Oklahoma, he attended medical school at Oklahoma State University, College of Osteopathic Medicine in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Graduating in the top of his class, Dr. Goodnight was accepted for post-graduate residency training in Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery in Detroit, Michigan where he was chief surgical resident.
Taylor R. Tidmore
M.D.
Dr. Tidmore graduated from Abilene Christian University in 1999 with a Bachelors of Science in Biology. He then obtained his medical degree in 2003 from the University of Texas Southwestern School of Medicine in Dallas. There he was selected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. Dr. Tidmore then went to the Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Residency Program at the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO. He finished this training in the summer of 2008. He has been a practicing partner at ENT Specialists of Abilene since that time
Jeffrey M. Braaten
D.O.
A graduate of Murray State University, Murray, Ky., Dr. Braaten went on to complete his medical degree at Oklahoma State University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, graduating in the top of his class. Dr. Braaten completed his residency training in Otolaryngology/ Head and Neck Surgery at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. Upon graduation he became the Chief of Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery at Irwin Army Medical Center.
In 1994 Dr. Braaten formed ENT Specialists of Abilene with his partner Dr. Gary Goodnight and was later joined by Dr. Taylor Tidmore, Paula Parkhill, FNP-BC and Dr. Chris Thompson.
Dr. Braaten is Board Certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery and is Subspecialty Certified in Allergy by the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy.
Chris R. Thompson
M.D.
Born at Hendrick Medical Center and a graduate of Abilene Christian University, Dr. Thompson is thankful to serve a community he loves. He was a presidential scholar and graduated magna cum laude from ACU with a B.S. in physics. He received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston where he was selected into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He completed his residency training in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
He is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and the Texas Medical Board. He is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy, and the Texas Medical Association.
Dr. Thompson is married to Jenny Thompson, a fellow ACU graduate and a licensed speech language pathologist. They are the proud parents of their three young children: Jude, Madelynn, and Kai. They are members of the Highland Church of Christ. They enjoy calling Abilene home and are thankful to the family and friends who surround and support them.
Jaxon Jordan
M.D.
Born and raised in Abilene, TX. Graduate of Abilene High (2007) and Hardin Simmons University (2011). After marrying his high school sweetheart Hayden, Dr. Jordan attended medical school at Texas A&M College of Medicine where he was selected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. He graduated in 2016 with honors. He then completed his otolaryngology residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS. In addition to routine otolaryngology procedures (sinus surgery, pediatric surgeries, etc), Dr. Jordan’s surgical interests include performing cochlear implants, implanting bone anchored hearing devices, performing complex ear surgery, performing functional rhinoplasty, removing skin cancer/reconstructing facial skin defects, and performing sentinel lymph node biopsies. Jaxon and Hayden have two children Sutton and Rhett.
Steven J. Hamlett
Au. D.
Dr. Hamlett graduated from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. He then completed his Doctorate in Audiology from Lamar University in 2016.
Dr. Hamlett’s interests include diagnostic hearing evaluations, aural rehabilitation through the use of hearing devices, and tinnitus management.
Dr. Hamlett and his wife Shelbi Hamlett are both “Big Country” natives from Anson. Together they have two young children: Kinsler and Kennedi. They are active members of South Side Baptist Church where they volunteer in the children’s ministry.
Sommer Ellis
AU. D.
Dr. Sommer Ellis attended the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama where she obtained her
Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences in 2006 and her Doctorate of Audiology in
2010. She completed her audiology externship in Abilene, Texas at Hendrick Medical Center in 2009 and
has been serving the hearing needs of the community since then.
Dr. Ellis is state board licensed and holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-A). Her interests
include diagnostic hearing evaluations and aural rehabilitation, especially in the pediatric population.
She also teaches undergraduate Audiology courses through Abilene Christian University.
Dr. Ellis and her husband, Tim, enjoy watching college football and spending time with their children.
Wendy Artho
AU. D.
Dr. Wendy Artho attended Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences in 2003 and her Doctorate in Audiology in 2007. She completed her audiology externship at a neurotology clinic in Dallas, TX where she further advanced her skills in diagnostic audiology and cochlear implant programming. Dr. Artho then moved to Abilene where she has been serving the hearing healthcare needs of the community since 2008.
Dr. Artho is state board licensed, a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology (FAAA), and holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A). She specializes in diagnostic hearing evaluations, treatment of hearing loss with advanced hearing technology, and cochlear implant programming. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and four daughters.
Kelsey May
Au. D.
Dr. Kelsey May was born and raised in West Texas. She completed her Doctorate of Audiology degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2016. She received her Bachelor of Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2012. Dr. May is state board licensed, a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology (FAAA), and holds the Certification of Clinical Competence (CCC-A). Her areas of interest are diagnostic testing and treatment of hearing loss.
Bryan D. Blare
PT, DPT
Dr. Bryan Blare graduated from Hardin-Simmons University with a B.B.S in Exercise Science and then went on to receive his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Hardin-Simmons in 2014. Dr. Blare is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Certified in Dry Needling (Cert. DN), and is a Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT). Throughout his career, he has worked with balance and fall risk patients, post-concussion syndrome, vertigo, neuromuscular disorders, chronic pain, and orthopedic injuries. His goal is to give his patients the best quality of care through a holistic and personalized approach.
CREATED BY GOOD THINGS
