Meet Our Team

Gary McKnight, AuD

Gary McKnight graduated from the University of Kansas Medical Center and completed doctoral studies in Audiology at the University of Florida. He has taught at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Known throughout the region as “The Dizzy Doctor,” Gary has specialized in dizziness and balance disorders for 25 years. Gary lives in Valley Falls, KS, with his wife (and office manager) Jan. They have three children and three grandchildren.

Tim Willingham, PT

Tim Willingham was born and raised in Manhattan, KS. He graduated from Kansas State University and received his Master’s Degree from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX. He specializes in the diagnosis of balance and vestibular disorders. Tim has over 15 years of experience in orthopedic and vestibular physical therapy. When not chasing his young children around, Tim enjoys spending time with his wife Kate, coaching soccer, running, and flyfishing.

Bob Clifton, PT

Bob Clifton is a graduate of the Rockhurst University Physical Therapy Department. He has over 20 years experience in all areas of Physical Therapy and is a recognized authority in orthopedic issues. He has a special interest in bio-mechanics and gait training. His wife Andrea is a nurse, and they have one daughter.

Trent Coleman

Trent Coleman is a licensed hearing aid dispenser. He has been fitting hearing aids for 10 years. He is specially trained by the Seimens medical group and has previous background as an electrician. He lives in Valley Falls with his wife, Amber, and three sons. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his boys, hunting and fishing.

Kassady Ledet, Audiology Asst.

Kassady serves Tallgrass Balance Hearing and Physical Therapy as our audiology assistant. She is currently finishing her bachelors of science in speech-language-hearing sciences and will graduate in December of 2023. She plans to apply for a doctoral audiology program. Kassady, her husband Nick, and their daughter currently reside in Burlingame Kansas. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family.

Bekah Berkley

Bekah Berkley graduated with a Bachelors degree in physical education and an Associates degree in physical therapist assistant from Washburn University. When not at the office, she enjoys playing tennis, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. She is a native of Lawrence and currently lives in Topeka with her husband and daughter.

Jessica Taylor, Au.D., MBA, FAAA

Jessica Taylor graduated from the University of Kansas Medical Center in 2023 with her clinical doctorial degree in Audiology. At our clinic, Jessica currently treats patients with hearing, vestibular and tinnitus concerns. Jessica is a member of the American Acadamy of Audiology.

Raised in Hiawatha, KS, she has a passion for serving rural Kansas communities. She currently resides in Lawrence with her husband, Ben. In her free time she enjoys spending time playing games, fishing and spending time with her family, and pets.

Amber Smith, PTA

Amber Smith graduated from Washburn University in 2018 with earning her Associate’s degree from the Physical Therapist Assistant program, as well as her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology. In her free time, Amber enjoys officiating volleyball and basketball for the KSHSAA, attending K-State athletic events, travelling, and supporting her husband in his running events. Amber is from Onaga, Kansas and currently resides in Topeka with her husband Collin.

Office Staff

Our Mission at Tallgrass Balance, Hearing & Physical Therapy Center is to provide exceptional, specialty patient care focusing on the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of dizziness and balance disorders. We also offer comprehensive Physical Therapy and hearing/hearing aid services in an integrated environment of friendly professionalism. Our patient-focused health care mission is to provide every patient with individualized care by our compassionate professionals. Our staff and medical professionals have trained and taught at nationally ranked institutions and our Center employs state of the art technology found at only a handful of medical clinics throughout the country.

Our Goal is to establish and continually advance the region’s premier dizziness and balance center by combining the specialties of Audiology and Physical Therapy into one comprehensive diagnostic clinic.