Kathryn Reitz, DO, CAQSMPrimary Care Sports Medicine Physician

Kathryn Reitz, DO, CAQSM

Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician

 

Dr. Kathryn Reitz has recently joined the practice at Colorado Concussion Clinic. She is a Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician who enjoys caring for patients of all ages. She worked as a Primary Care Physician in Littleton, Colorado for 5 years before returning to fellowship to pursue her passion of Sports Medicine.

As a Primary Care Sports Physician, Dr. Reitz is able to take care of all types of athletes, this includes adolescent, professional, and the Colorado Weekend Warrior. She has experience with High School and Collegiate Football, Collegiate Rugby, Professional Ice Hockey, Golden Gloves Boxing, and USA Weight Lifting. Dr Reitz’s mission is to treat the whole patient and help get patients back to their lifestyle goals. This can mean getting back to work, back to sports, back to school, and back to an active lifestyle. 

Dr. Reitz especially enjoys working with patients who have experienced a head injury. Concussions may present in many different ways and Dr. Reitz is able to help patients manage their symptoms and get them the correct therapies. 

In her free time, Dr. Reitz enjoys spending time with her family and staying active.  She enjoys snowboarding, fly fishing, and checking out the many Colorado trails. 

 
Michelle Reed, RN, MSN-Ed, FNP-C Nurse Practitioner

Michelle Reed, RN, MSN-Ed, FNP-C

Nurse Practitioner

 

Michelle Reed graduated from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia in 2004 with a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing. She went on to work for 9 years as a registered nurse in the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit, focused on the in-patient care of severe traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, neoplasm, and neurological disorders. During that time, she also earned a Master's of Science in Nursing Education, and worked as an adjunct faculty member and clinical instructor for Marymount University in Northern Virginia. She graduated in 2013 with a Post-Master's Certificate for Family Nurse Practitioner at George Washington University in Washington, DC. She has worked since that time as a Nurse Practitioner in the skilled nursing facility and rehabilitation setting, providing primary care to the medically complex population of medical rehabilitation patients and long-term care residents. In 2017, she and her family moved to the metro Denver region, and she was thrilled to join the care team at Colorado Concussion Clinic in 2019.

 

Miranda Bellantoni

Nurse Practitioner

 

Miranda Bellantoni's journey in healthcare began with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Maine in 2005. Starting in the ICU and Children's Hospital, she amassed invaluable experience in critical care.

In 2016, Miranda pursued advanced education at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, graduating as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Over the next five years, she dedicated herself to delivering comprehensive primary care to her patients, embodying a commitment to excellence.

However, it was her transition to the Colorado Concussion Clinic that sparked Miranda's passion for neurology. Here, she discovered profound fulfillment in managing concussions and neurological disorders, reinforcing her dedication to specialized care.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Miranda finds solace and joy in exploring Colorado's natural beauty. Additionally, her participation in medical mission trips to Central America allows her to actively contribute to underserved communities.

 
 
Sarah Palmer, OD, FAAO Neuro-Optometrist

Sarah Johnson, OD, FAAO

Neuro-Optometrist

 

Dr. Sarah Johnson graduated with her Doctor of Optometry from SUNY College of Optometry in New York, New York. She completed clinical rotations treating patients with traumatic brain injuries at Walter Reed Military Medical Center, the Philadelphia VA, and in private practice. She went on to complete her residency at SUNY College of Optometry, specializing in neuro-optometric rehabilitation of patients with visual dysfunctions after a traumatic brain injury, stroke, brain tumor, vestibular disease, and other neurological disorders. She moved from New York to Colorado in 2019 to continue her very rewarding career of treating patients with acquired brain injury.

 

 

Sarah Wilson, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

 

Sarah Wilson, LCSW received her Master’s degree of Social Work from the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work in 2010. She is from the border of Texas and Mexico, is bilingual in Spanish and has conducted bilingual therapy with native Spanish speakers for the entirety of her mental health career. Sarah’s experiences growing up on the U.S.-Mexico border influenced her desire to learn Spanish to be able to help people similar to those from where she came.

Passionate about helping patients overcome trauma and anxiety, Sarah is certified in a trauma therapy called Brainspotting. Brainspotting, which has its roots in EMDR, helps support patients in overcoming their past painful experiences. Sarah also utilizes ear acupuncture (acudetox) to help patients experience relief from stress, anxiety, sleep, pain, and trauma. Both Brainspotting and ear acupuncture can help people feel better even if they are unable to or prefer not to discuss the details of their painful experiences. 

Sarah enjoys good coffee, hiking in the mountains, and most things involving chocolate.  Se habla español.

 
Jessica Bandelier, PT, DPT, Cert DN, Cert VRSPhysical Therapist

Jessica Bandelier, PT, DPT, Cert DN, Cert VRS

Physical Therapist

 

Jessica Bandelier graduated from Purdue University in Indiana with her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees. She completed her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Regis University in 2015. After graduation, Jessica began her career working in outpatient orthopedics with a specialization in vestibular therapy. She gained experience treating individuals with vertigo, dizziness, balance deficits and visual issues and developed a passion for working with patients who had sustained concussions. She received certifications in dry needling from the American Academy of Manipulative Therapy and Vestibular rehabilitation from American Musculoskeletal Institute. Jessica believes in treating the whole person and providing patient-centered care to address all aspects of their health.

 
Haley Cozad, PT, DPTPhysical Therapist

Haley Cozad, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist

 

Haley Cozad graduated with her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh. While in school, she completed specialty clinical rotations with University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh and Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, working directly with patients of all ages who have sustained neurologic injury, including brain injury. She has a passion for vestibular and balance therapy while also utilizing orthopedic skills to provide an individualized approach to each patient.

 
Hilary Booco, MA CCC-SLPCognitive Therapist

Hilary Booco, MA CCC-SLP

Cognitive Therapist

 

Hilary Booco has a Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., as well as Bachelors of Arts degrees in Linguistics and Spanish from the University of Georgia. Hilary has worked with a variety of different patient populations, both adult and pediatric, in many different medical settings, including outpatient, inpatient, skilled nursing, and long-term care. She has provided evaluation and treatment for both cognitive-linguistic deficits and swallowing disorders for patients with acquired brain injury and progressive neurological diseases. In graduate school, Hilary focused her studies on traumatic brain injury and stroke, completing an internship at a hospital for neurological rehabilitation where she worked closely with occupational and physical therapists, as well as a neuropsychologists. For her Master's level thesis, she helped to develop and utilize testing to determine the differences of language comprehension in patients with focal damage to the left inferior frontal cortex versus patients with damage elsewhere in the brain. Hilary is able to provide bilingual cognitive-linguistic therapy in English and Spanish. Additionally, she is licensed and can treat patients in both Colorado and Wyoming.

 

Hannah Beach MS CCC-SLP

Cognitive Therapist

 

Hannah Beach received a Master of Science degree in Medical Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana. Hannah has worked in a variety of different settings including acute care, inpatient rehab, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient clinics. Her work is primarily focused on adults with acquired brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases with whom she has experience providing cognitive, language, speech, voice, and swallowing therapy.

 

Dana Fritschi, MA CCC-SLP

Cognitive Therapist

 

With a mission to deliver compassionate and individualized care, Dana has provided cognitive therapy services for adults in the hospital, inpatient, and outpatient settings for over 15 years. Dana is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed to practice speech-language pathology in the state of Colorado. Currently, she is a speech-language pathology doctoral candidate at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Provo, Utah. She received a Master of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Montclair State University in New Jersey and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of New Hampshire. 

 

Christie Schwalbe, M.S. CCC-SLP

Cognitive Therapist

 

Serving the front range of Colorado for more than 20 years, Christie Jenks Schwalbe is a Speech-Language Pathologist entrusted to aid her adult patients in overcoming a variety of disorders of cognition and communication.  Christie holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) and a Masters of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Arizona.  She is also a two time ASHA presenter on the topic of traumatic brain injury, and is published in the Journal of Voice.

Christie brings a genuine passion for health and wellness, and strengthens patient outcomes through authenticity and positivity.  When she's not helping her patients in navigating cognitive challenges and improving their communication capabilities, Christie enjoys travel, reading, cooking, and spending time with her photographer husband.

 
Abigail HarringtonOffice Manager

Abigail Harrington

Office Manager

 

Abigail Harrington is a Colorado native and her Bachelor's degree in Health and Human Performance from Fort Hays State University. She is working to pursue a master's in Health Administration. Abby enjoys being able to see our patients progress in their recovery as she had a number of concussions in high school sports and personally understands the process of healing.