Shannon Shaffer became a part of the RVSHC team in November 2024. She holds a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from Jefferson College of Health Sciences and has over 20 years of experience in various healthcare fields within the Roanoke Valley. Shannon is married and has one daughter and one son. In her free time, she enjoys working on her farm, cooking, and spending quality time with her friends and family.
Courtney joined RVSHC in September of 2024. Originally from the beautiful Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, she has had the privilege of being a part of the medical field for over 10 years. Throughout her career, she has been deeply committed to serving my community, and now, she is honored to serve the wonderful people of the Roanoke Valley. Helping others and making a positive impact on their lives has always been a passion of hers.
She holds an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education, which has given her a strong foundation in understanding and supporting the developmental needs of individuals. Currently, she is finishing up her Bachelor’s in Psychology, a field that continues to fuel her passion for understanding human behavior and enhancing my ability to help those around her.
When Courtney is not working, she loves spending time with her family and friends. She finds joy in listening to music, attending musicals, and simply being around others. Those moments of connection are what truly bring fulfillment to her life. She is grateful for the opportunities she has had and looks forward to continuing to make a difference in the lives of those she serves.
r. Kimberly Lower, Au.D., joined the Roanoke Valley Speech and Hearing Center in 2022. She earned degrees from Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL, the University of Virginia, and the Arizona School of Health Sciences. With 40 years of experience in audiology, Dr. Lower has been serving the Roanoke Valley community. She and her husband have two grown daughters and a son-in-law. In her free time, Dr. Lower enjoys participating in church activities, running, pilates, playing golf, and cooking.
Amy Field joined the RVSHC team in January 2025. Born and raised in Vinton, VA, she recently moved back after spending several years in Northwestern Illinois. With over six years of experience in the hearing industry, Amy has been practicing as a Hearing Instrument Specialist since 2021. She holds a state license from the Virginia Board for Hearing Aid Specialists and Opticians. Amy is passionate about meeting new people and helping them improve their hearing so they can lead fuller lives. Her goal is to ensure her patients hear as well as possible for as long as possible. In her free time, Amy enjoys reading, writing, and has self-published three books.
Akirah Mattox joined the RVSHC team in January 2022. She earned her B.A. in Psychology and M. Ed. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Virginia. She is licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia and earned her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association in March 2023. Akirah enjoys reading and spending time with friends and family!
Charlie joined the RVSHC staff in August 2016 as a Certified Hearing Conservationist. He travels with the center's mobile unit across four states to conduct OSHA, MSHA, and DoD industrial hearing testing for industries with loud noise environments. Additionally, he performs NIOSH Pulmonary Function Tests for industries that generate various types of breathable dust. A West Virginia native, Charlie is a retired Army and National Guard Veteran. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Concord University and has completed Master of Business Administration coursework through Averett University. Charlie and his wife, Angel, have two daughters, Cate and Sarah. In his free time, he enjoys reading, fishing, whitewater canoeing, camping, and hunting.
Marty joined the Roanoke Valley Speech and Hearing Center in 2016 as an Audiology Assistant, where she supports both the audiology team and patients with their hearing healthcare needs. Originally from the beautiful state of West Virginia, Marty relocated to Roanoke in 2012. With a broad background in healthcare, she has a strong passion for helping patients. As she puts it, 'The most favorite part of my job, hands down, is our patients! Providing the best level of care to our patients is top priority and also the most rewarding part of my job!' Marty has two sons and one grandson. In her free time, she enjoys music, gardening, dining, fishing, and has a special passion for decorating.
Steve Kuhns is a seasoned professional with over 45 years of experience in the hearing aid field. Throughout his career, he has worked in every aspect of the industry, from the technical intricacies of hearing aid devices to providing exceptional customer service and care. His wealth of knowledge and dedication to improving the lives of individuals with hearing loss have made him a respected figure in the field.
Outside of his professional life, Steve is passionate about a variety of interests. He is an avid reader, always seeking new knowledge and expanding his horizons. Traveling is another of his great loves, as he enjoys exploring new places and experiencing different cultures. Steve also has a talent for cooking, delighting in creating delicious meals that bring people together.
At home, Steve is a proud pet owner of two beloved cats, Harley Quinn and Redkin, who provide him with companionship and joy. Whether he's traveling, cooking, or simply enjoying time with his feline friends, Steve finds balance and fulfillment in all aspects of life.
Sarah Bowman joined the Roanoke Valley Speech and Hearing Center in January 2025. She earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Radford University. Sarah has always been passionate about helping others and improving lives, one person at a time. She has a deep connection to the autism community, as she has two autistic brothers who each faced challenges with speech growing up. Sarah finds her career both rewarding and fulfilling.
