Dr. Kathryn Reitz, DO, is a caring and skilled Sports Medicine doctor at the Colorado Concussion Clinic, where she’s been helping patients since 2020. She earned her medical degree from the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine at Virginia Tech, completed her Family Medicine training at St. Anthony’s North in Denver, and then went on to do a Sports Medicine Fellowship at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. With experience working with high-impact sports like football, rugby, hockey, and boxing, Dr. Reitz brings a multi-faceted approach to concussion care.

She understands that concussions are more than just a “bump on the head.” They can lead to a wide range of symptoms—from brain fog and headaches to mood changes and fatigue—that disrupt daily life. In some cases, post-concussion syndrome can linger for months to years, affecting a person’s ability to feel like themselves. Dr. Reitz combines research with a deep sense of compassion to guide patients through recovery, helping them understand what’s happening in their brain and what steps can support healing. Whether you’re an athlete or not, she treats every patient with the same thoughtful care and attention.

When she’s not at the clinic, she enjoys reading, fishing, archery, and spending time with her spouse and kids.

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.

Paula Vogel is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with 15 years of diverse experience in the medical field. Before joining Colorado Concussion Clinic, she served as a primary care provider in Denver, where she excelled in preventive care, chronic disease management, and same-day acute visits. As a provider, Paula values patient-centered, holistic care that is grounded in the latest research, ensuring each patient receives evidence-based, individualized treatment.

Her career spans a wide range of specialties, including emergency room nursing, leading a hospital’s sepsis and rapid response team, and providing pre- and post-operative care in PACU settings. Paula earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Regis University’s Family Nurse Practitioner program and holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Maryland School of Nursing.

Outside of work, she enjoys staying active at the gym, hiking, camping, and biking to explore new breweries and restaurants. Paula is thrilled to bring her expertise, compassion, and collaborative approach to the Colorado Concussion Clinic team.

 Benjamin "Ben" Williamson, NP, who joined Colorado Concussion Clinic in 2025. Ben has been a dedicated healthcare provider for 11 years.

A graduate of Duke University's Acute Care NP program, Ben's experience includes working in neurosurgery and orthopedic trauma. Prior to becoming a Nurse Practitioner, Ben worked as a nurse in interventional radiology and stroke care, and spent the majority of his career in Surgical Trauma ICU. He is always looking for opportunities to make a significant impact on his patients and community, including working in a New York City ICU during the first COVID wave.

At Colorado Concussion Clinic, Ben focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with post-traumatic brain injuries, dedicating his time to evaluating and coordinating their post-concussion care.

Outside of the clinic, Ben enjoys spending time with his family and taking advantage of Colorado's mountain sports, climbing, running, skiing, and burro racing.

Dr. Christopher Ketter joined the practice in mid 2025. He is a Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician that enjoys caring for people across the age spectrum. He worked previously in Des Moines, Iowa in a sport medicine clinic for 5 years seeing many different sports related issues, but with strong emphasis in concussion management. He is a graduate of Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Parker, Colorado. He completed a Sports Medicine Fellowship in Carbondale, Illinois at the SIU-Carbodnale Sports Medicine Fellowship,go Salukis. I moved to Colorado in Early 2024 with his family and has continued to practice sports medicine in Aurora, Colorado.

Throughout his career, Dr. Ketter has cared for athletes from many levels, high school. Collegiate, professional, weekend warriors, and military personnel and veterans. He has spent time coving medical tents for marathons, sidelines work with High school, and collegiate sports. He has spent time covering USHL hockey in Des Moines as well. His goal is to help patient achieve their goals and help them return to what the activities that they enjoy.

In his free time, Dr. Ketter can be found enjoying time with his family and trying to get and enjoy all the activities that Colorado has to offer.

Kate Essad MD MBA FAAN, is a sports neurologist and brain injury medicine specialist based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and has been treating patients with head injury since 2014. Dr. Essad is passionate about the highest level of care and education so that patients have all of the tools necessary to reach their performance goals after experiencing head injuries or other neurological symptoms. Dr. Essad is board certified in neurology, brain injury medicine and interventional headache. She completed her sports neurology fellowship at The Sports Neurology Clinic in Brighton, Michigan, and residency in adult neurology at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire. 

In her free time, Dr. Essad runs half marathons and with her husband and tiny dog, is traveling to all of the US national parks.

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.

Dr. Mariell Sabado, is an neuro-optometrist at Colorado Concussion Clinic, where she uses her knowledge about the visual system to diagnose visual issues and provide therapy for individuals recovering from traumatic brain injuries. She earned her Doctor of Optometry degree at New England College of Optometry in Boston, MA where she completed clinical rotations at multiple community health centers, VA hospitals, and private practice clinics, equipping her with a broad-range of clinical skills that support comprehensive, patient-centered vision care. 

As a former athlete, Dr. Sabado brings a personal understanding of concussion symptoms and their impact on daily life and performance. This fuels her passion for identifying visual deficits and designing therapies that help patients move closer to the lifestyles they knew before their injury. 

Dr. Sabado is proud to be part of a clinic that prioritizes collaboration, education, and individualized treatment, and she is committed to supporting patients throughout the recovery process with a focus on evidence-based therapies.

Sarah brings a valuable 18 years of experience in the healthcare industry to our office as well as five years as a preschool teacher. After discovering vision therapy as a parent for her own family, Sarah discovered a new passion and began her career as a vision therapist. She brings her own patient experience after sustaining a TBI from a motor vehicle accident. This allows her to connect with and understand the many challenges, frustrations, and excitements of her patients. Sarah has experience treating a wide range of vision therapy patients and is able to use her clinical skills and personal experiences to provide motivation, empathy, and adapt to our patients and their unique needs. She is committed to lifelong learning and development of her vision therapy skills and is currently working toward earning her Certified Optometric Vision Therapist (COVT) Certification.

Emma Wiley graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 2023 with her Bachelors of Science in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. She discovered the field of Optometry when she started working as a scribe for her local eye doctor. She fell in love with patient care and rehabbing the visual system and shortly after started working as a vision therapist at a private optometry practice. She gained experience as a vision therapist working mainly with pediatrics but also treating conditions like amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (crossed eyes), and other binocular vision problems. Emma enjoys applying this knowledge to the field of concussion care and helping guide patients through the recovery process.

In her free time, Emma loves running, thrift shopping, and spending quality time with her friends and family. She was born and raised in Colorado and loves to go on hikes in the summertime and ski all winter.

Mel Zuniga graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, in 2024, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts and completed a research based internship focused on vision therapy. During her internship, she explored innovative evidence-based treatment approaches for patients with traumatic brain injuries and developmental eye conditions, strengthening her passion for improving individuals' quality of life.

Mel has gained experience working with a diverse vision therapy population through her volunteer work in Mexico and Jamaica, where she used her skills to help expand access to vision care and deepen her understanding of holistic, patient-centered treatment. Her bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English strengthens patient communication and education.

Outside of work, Mel enjoys hiking with her twin dogs and watching movies."

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. Jessica joined Colorado Concussion Clinic in 2020. She has gained experience treating individuals with vertigo, dizziness, balance deficits, visual issues and developed a passion for working with patients who had sustained concussions. She has certifications in dry needling from the American Academy of Manipulative Therapy, Vestibular rehabilitation from American Musculoskeletal Institute and completed courses in spinal manipulation, temporomandibular disorder and craniofacial pain. Jessica believes in treating the whole person and providing patient-centered care to address all aspects of their health.

Haley Moran 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.

Lauren Smith graduated with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Regis University following the completion of her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Movement Science at the University of Wisconsin. She has experience working with a wide range of neurological and orthopedic diagnoses across diverse patient populations, and has a passion for brain injury rehabilitation. She received her dry needling certification in conjunction with her doctoral degree through the Dry Needling Academy, and pursued distinctions in neurological research and global health advocacy during her educational career. Lauren is passionate about promoting the independence and holistic well-being of her patients, and strives to maximize their quality of life through evidence-based practice.

Stephanie Williams earned a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Carroll University in Wisconsin in 2015, followed by a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Northern Arizona University in 2017. Since then, she has focused primarily on neurological disorders in the geriatric population, earning the distinction of Geriatric Certified Specialist (GCS) in 2023.

Stephanie is especially passionate about working with individuals recovering from head injuries and finds this area of care both challenging and deeply rewarding. Committed to lifelong learning, she continually pursues advanced training to ensure patients receive the most current and effective treatments available.

Schuyler has been a practicing physical therapist since 2021, after graduating from Hardin-Simmons University with his Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree. Since then, he has worked in the neurologic setting, especially with persons following a stroke, brain injury, or spinal cord injury, and neurodegenerative diseases. He also has a passion for treating people with vestibular disorders following concussions or brain injuries. 

Outside of work, he spends the majority of his time on his hobbies such as woodworking, cooking, learning languages and music, and spending time chasing squirrels with his dog. He is passionate for community inclusion, and has spent several years helping develop adaptive sports programs including wheelchair lacrosse, and adaptive rock climbing, and is excited to help out with adaptive skiing and other activities while residing in Colorado.

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 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.

Melissa Wolak, MS, CCC-SLP

Cognitive Therapist

Melissa Wolak, MS, CCC-SLP, earned her Master of Science in Communication Disorders from Western Carolina University and her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Science Disorders from the University of Georgia. With 28 years of experience, Melissa specializes in cognitive-communication rehabilitation for individuals recovering from concussion, brain injury and neuro-related challenges. Her expertise includes executive functioning, memory, attention, language, and problem-solving, paired with strategies to improve overall cognitive endurance. Melissa integrates evidence-based interventions with mindfulness, trauma-informed care, and neuroscience principles, providing an approach that supports both cognitive recovery and emotional resilience.

In her free time, Melissa enjoys early morning walks with her dog, dancing, reading, photography, and savoring good dark chocolate. She also loves skiing, hiking and spending quality time with her family in the Colorado outdoors.

Bethany has over 12 years experience as a speech language pathologist, and has dedicated her career towards individuals affected by stroke or brain injury. She has worked in multiple settings including but not limited to acute hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and outpatient clinics. Bethany is passionate and skilled in providing evidence based, functional and patient centered care for mild-severe cognitive deficits, aphasia and apraxia of speech.  She received her Master’s degree from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, and her Bachelor’s at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Bethany is certified in Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT-LOUD), myofascial release, and AmpCare Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES). 

Outside of work, you can find her hosting trivia with Geeks Who Drink, running, planning her next Halloween party, and traveling. She loves anything outside and spending time with her husband, friends, and pets! 

Hannah Washko, M.S., CCC-SLP

Cognitive Therapist

Hannah earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Wofford College in 2018 and her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Appalachian State University in 2022. Since graduating, she has worked in an outpatient setting specializing in the treatment of adults recovering from brain injury, stroke, degenerative disease, and other neurological conditions. She is certified in LSVT LOUD and AmpCare ESP, and she plans to pursue certification as a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS). As a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA), Hannah is bilingual in both American Sign Language (ASL) and English. She is passionate about inclusive, accessible care and supporting individuals and families through every stage of the recovery process. Outside of work, Hannah enjoys playing soccer, snowboarding, hiking, and spending time with her dog, Betty White.

Jacqueline Peña-Sosa M.S., CF-SLP

Cognitive Therapist

Jacqueline Peña-Sosa earned her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Metropolitan State University of Denver and her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. During her graduate studies, Jackie completed clinical internships at Swedish Medical Center and Craig Hospital, with a focus on inpatient neurological rehabilitation. She gained hands-on experience assessing and treating adults with acquired brain injuries while collaborating closely with an interdisciplinary team. Additionally, she completed a graduate assistantship centered on research and clinical work related to traumatic brain injury. Fluent in both Spanish and English, Jackie is passionate about providing culturally responsive care and supporting individuals and their families throughout the recovery process. Outside of work, Jackie enjoys spending quality time with her family, traveling, golfing, and being outdoors whenever possible.

Caris Giessler MA CCC-SLP

Cognitive Therapist

Caris Giessler, MA CCC-SLP, is from the DC area and has a Master’s Degree from University of North Carolina Greensboro. She earned her undergraduate degree at James Madison University with minors in Leadership and Medical Spanish. Since moving to Colorado, she has worked clinically and administratively in rehab facilities (with a focus on memory & swallowing) and in a hospital system providing home health, outpatient, and inpatient acute care. Her adult medical internships included four semester-long acute care inpatient hospital & outpatient clinics with respective focuses on head & neck cancer, neurological disorders/ brain injuries (with ALS, Parkinson’s, and voice multidisciplinary research teams), aural rehabilitation for late deafened adults with cochlear implants, and speech generating devices. Her masters thesis was on developing virtual support group resources for care partners of people with aphasia. As a student, she conducted research in the Dominican Republic at a pediatric dialysis clinic, a multidisciplinary stroke clinic in rural Jamaica, and she lived in a Deaf community and taught at a Deaf school in Jamaica. She is published in microbiology phageotherapy and wrote her honors thesis in the Neural Bases of Communication & Swallowing Lab. 

Her approach to therapy includes providing easy-to-understand education on a diagnosis, developing successful home & community environments conducive to rehabilitation, and using innovative technology to support the rehab journey for physical, mental, and emotional success. She values getting to know patients and what is important to them to help them achieve their personal goals. 

Outside of work she enjoys nature, traveling, chocolate, learning, watching sports (including the new Denver Summit FC soccer team) and spending time with her people. 

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.

Tianna Chandler, LCSW, received her Master’s degree in Social Work from Colorado State University’s Graduate School of Social Work in 2023. Tianna pursued psychology and social work after discovering how social injustices impact individuals’ mental health and the limited care options that are provided in communities. Tianna’s studies have focused on social justice as well as positive, social, and health psychology while specializing in somatic, trauma, mindfulness, and substance use therapies. Her early counseling career took place in inpatient and residential treatment settings for those looking to heal from addiction and eating disorders. These experiences have shaped Tianna’s goal-oriented, holistic, and warm approach to therapy sessions.

Tianna is passionate about helping patients overcome the impacts of past traumas, substance use disorders, and many other mental health concerns that hinder one’s ability to engage in life authentically. Tianna is a Seeking Safety provider which centralizes on skill building to co-currently treat substance use, trauma symptoms, and unsafe behaviors.

Tianna enjoys traveling, delicious meals, connecting with nature, long walks with her dog, and crafting.

With lived experience of what it takes to heal, Sean specializes in helping clients who have "tried everything" but still struggle with residual symptoms that aren't resolving with other forms of therapy.  She brings over 13 years of experience working with head injury and complex trauma as a Low Energy Neurofeedback (LENS) Technician. This is a gentle, but powerful non-invasive therapy that uses tiny frequency shifts to help the brain, body and nervous system reset and repair.

Since completing her internship in 2014, Sean has provided over 10,000 hours of Neurofeedback and nervous system repair sessions, integrating her work as a Certified Somatic Coach. Her trauma-informed, intuitive approach reflects many years experience in both private practice and clinical settings, where she has seen the LENS revolutionize TBI recovery and shift symptoms in lasting ways.

Sean is always studying somatic (or body-based healing) and is currently getting her certification in Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Adams State University. She is incredibly passionate about her work, but beyond this -- she loves road trips, pickleball, exploring trails and dancing as much as possible. 

CJ brings a broad range of experience in neurofeedback therapy. Starting her journey with the Othmer Method, CJ quickly expanded into amplitude and z-score neurofeedback with emphasis on Alpha-Theta and SMR protocols. She is additionally trained in sLORETA neurofeedback and in diverse neuromodulation techniques including tDCS, pEMF, PBM, and tACS. CJ is currently pursuing her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. 

CJ is passionate about educating clients on their brain map results and tailoring neurofeedback protocols to individual needs. A firm believer in practicing what she preaches, CJ completes her own neurofeedback session/s at least once a week.

Outside of work, you’ll likely find her deep into a strategy board game, curled up with a book, weightlifting, or hosting one of her themed dinner parties.