Back Row,  Left-to-Right:  James E. Scalia, Jr., Dr. Dale Funk, Deana Couch, Sharee Haile, Kelly Brazelton, Jeff Smith, Tom Sooter

Front Row, Left-to-Right:  Dr. Clifford L. DePrang, Ted Chaka, Leslie Hallford, Evelyn Webb, Vannette Wooten, Leslie Teaff

Not Pictured:  Vincent A. Viola

Jeff Smith, LAT, ATC
Athletic Trainer

     Jeff has been associated with Dr. Funk since 2000 but is no stranger to the Big Country and West Texas.  He has been practicing as an Athletic Trainer since 1993 and has been a regular fixture on the sidelines and courts for many of the small West Texas high schools for years.  At Abilene Sports Medicine & Orthopedics, Jeff is the liaison between Dr. Funk and the athletes and their coaches.  During the school year Jeff will travel to many of the Big Country schools and perform evaluations and follow-up visits for sports injuries.  He also coordinates game and event coverage with ASMO’s contracted athletic training staff.
     Jeff is a Licensed Athletic Trainer (LAT) by the Texas Department of Health and is nationally certified (ATC) by the National Athletic Trainers Board of Certification.  In addition to this he holds the designation Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) from the Texas Department of Health.
     Before coming to Abilene Sports Medicine & Orthopedic, Jeff worked 2 years as an Athletic Trainer for Hardin-Simmons University and 7 years as an Athletic Trainer for West Texas Sports Medicine Center in San Angelo.  He holds both a bachelor’s (BBS) and master’s degree (MEd) from Hardin-Simmons University.
     Jeff and his wife Kelly have two children, Riley and Mattie.  They are very involved with Beltway Park Baptist Church where they are life group leaders.  The family enjoys computers and family activities.

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Vincent A. Viola, P.A.-C
Physician Assistant

     Vince began his medical career as a combat medic in the United States Army after completing training at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas.  In 1991, after finishing his Bachelor of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies at Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve.  His clinical practice includes a myriad of experience involving positions in Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Occupational Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Surgery.

     He has a special interest in Sports Medicine and initiated a successful program at Olean General Hospital, Olean, New York, serving as clinical coordinator and instructor for the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s Athletic Training studies.  He has volunteered for many school sports programs including the Abilene Independent School District, Wylie Independent School District and Hardin Simmons University.  He also served on the medical staff for the Western Professional Hockey League’s Abilene Aviators for two years.  In June 2006, he will begin his Master’s in Physician Assistant studies in Sports Medicine through the Arizona School of Health Sciences and complete his clinical fellowship at Abilene Sports Medicine and Orthopedics.

     In 2003, he completed a certificate course in Industrial and Occupational Medicine at Duke University and was an honor graduate.  At that time, he authored a research article, “Utilizing Athletic Trainers in Treating the Industrial Athlete” which was published in the NATA (National Athletic Trainers Association) News.  His memberships include the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants and is board certified by the NCCPA (National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants).

     Vince and his wife Shanna, a Registered Nurse, have a four-year-old son, Nicholas, and are expecting a daughter to be born in August 2006.  His other personal interests include all sports, weight lifting, fly fishing and hunting. He also enjoys working with young athletes in sports conditioning and strength training.

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Physician Assistant

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      Sharee Haile is the office medical assistant.  She wears many hats and performs many different functions.  Sharee is responsible for scheduling and coordinating all surgeries, MRI’s, CT’s, and other special tests.  In addition, she pre-certifies insurance for surgical procedures.  As a radiology technologist, Sharee is also able to take x-rays when needed.
     Married to Roy Haile, they have two sons – Cody, a recent graduate of Cooper High School; and Michah, who is just entering Cooper High School.  Sharee enjoys water sports, walking her dogs, dancing, reading, and watching Sponge Bob Squarepants (and all old cartoons). 

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      Tom joined Abilene Sports Medicine & Orthopedics in March 2005.  He is responsible for taking all necessary x-rays needed by the doctors while they are seeing patients in the office.  He also is in charge of obtaining all needed films for surgical cases.  If needed, Tom is also available to assist the physicians with surgical procedures.
     The American Registry of Radiologic Technologist recognizes Tom as a Registered Technologist.  He also holds a Medical Radiologic Technologist certificate from the Texas Department of State Health Services.  He received his training at Hendrick Medical Center School of Radiography.  Tom is also a 1998 graduate of Hardin-Simmons University where he received a bachelor’s degree (BBS) in Exercise Science.
     Tom and his wife, Tami, were both born and raised in Abilene.  There is no other place either of them would rather be.  They are members of Holy Family Catholic Church.  Tami is a nurse at the Presbyterian Medical Care Mission.  Together they enjoy golf, spending time with family, all sports, and traveling (to play golf, of course).

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Office Manager

        Leslie recently joined Dr. Funk’s practice as the office manager.  She is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Abilene Sports Medicine & Orthopedics and it’s employees. 
       Her husband David is the Service Manager for Star Toyota in Abilene.  They have two daughters – Cassidy, a student at Merkel; and Christian, a recent graduate of Texas Tech University.  Christian is married to Tim Clyburn.
       Leslie and her husband enjoy softball, horses, dabbling in the cattle business, and Las Vegas.

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        Her responsibilities include all billing aspects (paper and electronic) as well as collection of accounts.  She is available to help our patients with any insurance and billing questions they might have.
        Deana is married to Randy Couch.  Together they have 5 children and 3 grandchildren.  They reside just out of Clyde and are currently enjoying the challenge of renovating an old farmhouse.  Deana likes the outdoors, camping, and fishing.

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Evelyn Webb
Billing and Collections

Kelly Brazelton
Front Office

      Kelly is the pleasant face and voice that greets most ASMO patients.  Her duties include patient reception, registration, and check-out.  She also answers most of the phone calls that come to the office and route them to the appropriate person.
     Kelly and her husband Willie have three sons, Stormy, Trent, and Stephen.  The Brazelton children attend school in Trent.  Kelly lists her hobbies as watching her kids play sports and watching movies.

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