Physicians
Eric T. Garner, MD
Dr. Garner specializes in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. He received his undergraduate degree at Brigham Young University and his Doctor of Medicine at the University of Florida College of Medicine, at Gainesville, Florida. He did his residency in Otolaryngology at the Medical Center Hospital at San Antonio, Texas. He was certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology in October 1989.
Matthew Schwarz, MD
Dr. Schwarz specializes in head and neck cancer, thyroid and parathyroid disorders, salivary gland tumors, and sinus surgery. He grew up in Boise and graduated from the College of Idaho as the Gipson Scholar in Biomedical Sciences. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree at the University Of Washington School of Medicine and completed his residency in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at Stanford University Medical Center. Dr. Schwarz returned to Boise with his wife and family in 1993. Dr. Schwarz is Board Certified in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery (Oto/HNS), is a member of the American Academy of Oto/HNS, Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, American Medical Association and the Ada County Medical Society.
Ryan Van De Graaff, MD
Dr. Van De Graaff specializes in otology and laryngology. He was raised in Orem, Utah and completed his undergraduate degree in Zoology with a minor in German Literature from Brigham Young University in 1994. Dr. Van De Graaff graduated from the University of Utah Medical School in 1998 and completed his otolaryngology residency in 2003 at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, Colorado. He has been board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology since 2004 and successfully renewed his certification in 2014. After practicing in Lincoln, Nebraska for five years, he relocated to Boise with his family and joined Southwest Idaho Ear, Nose and Throat in 2008.
Alexander Rock, MD
Dr. Rock is a general otolaryngologist interested in surgical treatments for sleep apnea, nasal and sinus surgery, otology, voice disorders, salivary gland tumors and head and neck cancer. He grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah and completed his undergraduate degree in biology with a minor in business at the University of Utah in 2004. Dr. Rock took several years off to pursue his interest in cycling before moving to Washington, DC to attend The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, where he graduated with honors in 2015. After completing his otolaryngology residency at The Ohio State University in 2020, Dr. Rock and his family moved to Boise to join Southwest Idaho Ear, Nose and Throat.
Tyson Nielsen, MD
Dr. Tyson Nielsen specializes in head & neck surgery with an emphasis on oncology and reconstruction. He was born and raised in Marsing, Idaho. He completed his undergraduate studies at Northwest Nazarene University. He then attended the University of Washington School of Medicine as part of the WWAMI program. Upon graduating from medical school he then completed his residency in Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Following residency, Dr. Nielsen pursued advanced fellowship training in head & neck surgery with emphasis on microvascular free flap reconstruction and transoral robotic surgery in Omaha, Nebraska through the Methodist – Creighton University health system. Dr. Nielsen, his wife, their two daughters, and twin boys, were excited to have the opportunity to return home to the Treasure Valley following his medical training
Physician Assistants
Thomas F. Douthit, PA
Thomas Douthit received his undergraduate degree from Boise State University and his Physician Assistant training from the University of Washington. He completed his Masters of Physician Assistant Studies with an emphasis in otolaryngology from the University of Nebraska. Tom has been certified by the NCCPA since 2003.
Tiffany Kearney, PA
Tiffany Kearny received her undergraduate degree from Boise State University and her master’s degree in physician assistant studies through the College of Idaho and Idaho State University. She worked in surgery as a surgical technologist specializing in ENT since 2009. Tiffany has been certified by the NCCPA since 2021.
Audiologists
Shalise Adams, AuD, CCC-A
Shalise Adams specializes in adult and pediatric hearing loss, bone anchored hearing aids (BAHA), diagnostics, single-sided deafness, the selection and fitting of hearing aids, and assistive listening devices. She helps each patient examine their specific needs, concerns, and presents options to suit their individual hearing healthcare needs. She has been a clinical audiologist at Southwest Idaho Hearing and Balance since 2008. Dr. Adams attended Utah State University where she received a Doctorate in Audiology and Bachelors of Science in Communication Disorders graduating Suma Cum Laude. She holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology (F-AAA).
Kelsey Baughman, AuD, CCC-A
Kelsey Baughman specializes in adult and pediatric hearing diagnostics, hearing aid counseling, fitting and follow-up care. She joined Southwest Idaho Hearing and Balance as an extern during the last year of her doctoral degree program. Before pursuing audiology, Dr. Baughman worked at a nonprofit helping elementary-aged school children with hearing loss. Dr. Baughman attended Utah State University in Logan, Utah, where she earned a Doctor of Audiology degree. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology from California State University in Sacramento, California. Dr. Baughman is passionate about empowering patients through education and counseling to determine which treatment plan will best address their specific lifestyle needs.
Spencer Cheshire, AuD, MHA, CCC-A
Spencer Cheshire evaluates, treats and counsels patients with a range of hearing loss challenges. He specializes in the evaluation of vertigo, dizziness and balance, and the selection and fitting of hearing aids. Dr. Cheshire attended Utah State University where he received a Doctor of Audiology degree. He later obtained a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) degree from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. In 2018, he was selected as one of 12 early mid-career audiologists nationwide to attend the Jerger Future Leaders of Audiology Conference in Washington, D.C. He is a past vice president of the Idaho Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ISHA). Dr. Cheshire is American Board of Audiology Certified (ABAC). He holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is a member of the Military Audiology Association. Dr. Cheshire is credentialed both as a Professional Supervisor and Course Director by the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC).
Lindsay Walles, AuD, CCC-A
Lindsay Walles specializes in the diagnoses, treatment, and education of hearing loss and balance disorders to patients of all ages. She provides comprehensive services for hearing aids and bone anchored hearing aids (BAHA). Dr. Walles is passionate about working with patients to achieve the best outcomes and improve quality of life. Dr. Walles received her bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Ohio University in 2014 and her doctorate of Audiology from Central Michigan University in 2018. She completed her clinical externship at St. Luke’s Hearing and Balance Center in Boise, Idaho.