Meet Our Staff
Our Mesa and Scottsdale audiology and hearing services are second to none because of our staff. Meet our audiologists and supporting staff who make up our hearing healthcare family!
AUDIOLOGISTS:
Adam DiPuccio,CEO and Founder,Clinical Audiologist,C.C.C.-A., F.A.A.A.
I founded Advanced Hearing Group in 2004. I am originally from Cincinnati, OH, and have lived in Arizona since 2001. I received my B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from The University of Cincinnati in 1999, and my Masters of Audiology from The University of Cincinnati in 2001. I spent a combined two years (pre/postgraduate) with the Veterans Administration Hospital before going into private practice. I am a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology, a board member of Marcon Hearing Instruments, and a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. My wife and I have four children. I enjoy spending my free time with my family, being outdoors, coaching football, and going to sporting events.
Gary Johnson, II, Au.D.- Doctor of Audiology
I’ve been with Advanced Hearing Group since 2007. I am originally from Connecticut and have lived in Arizona since 2007. I received my B.A. in Communication Sciences & Psychology and my Doctorate in Clinical Audiology from The University of Connecticut. During my doctorate program, I took part in two externships – the first in Honolulu, and the second in Scottsdale / Mesa. I was employed by Advanced Hearing Group for three years prior to acquiring the two Scottsdale offices in 2011. Currently, I reside in Mesa with my beautiful wife Vikki, and our four amazing children. In our free time, we love to enjoy local sporting events and spend time outdoors.
Kelly M. Lewis, Au.D.- Doctor of Audiology
I’ve been an audiologist with Advanced Hearing Group since May 2015. I grew up in the St. Louis, Missouri area and moved to Springfield, Missouri for college. I graduated with my B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2011 and with my Doctorate of Audiology in 2015, both from Missouri State University. I completed my residency at an E.N.T. clinic in Tucson, Arizona before moving to the Phoenix area. My husband and I had our first child, our sweet little boy named Madix, in August 2017. Our second little guy, Braxton, was born in September of 2019. In my spare time, I love spending time with my boys, going for walks, watching documentaries, and reading whenever I get a chance.
Cassandra Schmidt, Au.D.- Doctor of Audiology
I’ve been with Advanced Hearing Group since early 2011. I am originally from Illinois and have lived in Arizona since 2010. I completed my B.S. in Education with a focus in Special Education (Deaf and Hard of Hearing) from Illinois State University, and my Doctorate in Clinical Audiology from Illinois State University. My loving husband Ken and I were married in 2010. We have three kids and one on the way. Ken is a physician specializing in Orthopedic Surgery. If I’m not working, I’m watching my beloved Chicago Cubs!
Amanda Blackburn, Au.D., F-AAA- Doctor of Audiology
I have been with Advanced Hearing Group since June of 2019. I am an Arizona native and am excited to be serving the patients of my home state. I completed my undergraduate education with a focus in Public Health from Northern Arizona University in 2014, and my Doctorate in Clinical Audiology (Au.D.) from A.T. Still University in 2019. I have a passion for providing holistic care and strive to give my patients excellent treatment through current evidence-based practices and knowledge of current technology. I hope to empower patients to achieve better health and connect them with the world around them. In my free time I enjoy reading, spending time with family, and relaxing with my French Bulldogs.
Aryana Nevarez, Au.D. – Doctor of Audiology
Dr. Nevarez is licensed in Arizona as a dispensing audiologist. She received her Bachelor’s of Science degree from the University of Arizona and obtained her Doctor of Audiology from Arizona State University. Dr. Nevarez completed her clinical fellowship at a private practice in Colorado Springs, Colorado where she had extensive experience with adult and pediatric diagnostic evaluations, vestibular evaluations, tinnitus retraining therapy and aural rehabilitation. Dr. Nevarez is passionate about helping others hear better and strives to provide her patients with the best care possible. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and with her dog, Walt.
OFFICE MANAGERS:
Mauricio Plata, Office Manager in Scottsdale
I have been a Patient Care Coordinator at the Scottsdale offices since 2016 and now manage the office. I am fluent in both English and Spanish. I was born in Hidalgo, Mexico, but I have lived in Arizona for most of my life. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, spending time with my girlfriend and my family. I’m really passionate about exploring new places and being adventurous.
Molly Lue Prockish, Office Manager in Mesa
I have been with Advanced Hearing Group for 13 years. My family and I moved to Arizona in 1992 from Kansas. I enjoy the outdoors with my husband, fishing, walking our dog, shopping with my adult son, and watching old movies and college football.
PATIENT CARE COORDINATORS:
Sofia Holguin, Patient Care Coordinator in Scottsdale
I have been with Advanced Hearing Group since 2020, started working at the McDowell location and now you can find me at the Cactus office. I moved here to
Arizona from Chihuahua, Mexico 14 years ago, so I am fluent in Spanish and English. I am a people person and I love learning something new every day. I am currently working on my psychology major at Grand Canyon University. My interests in the field of psychology are working with children and adolescents. I knew from a young age that I wanted to help people have a high-quality life. I am passionate about learning from different cultures and languages. Some of my
hobbies are hiking, playing soccer, boxing, and dancing.
Laurie Briones, Patient Care Coordinator in Scottsdale
I have been a Patient Care Coordinator at the South Scottsdale office since the fall of 2017. I was born and raised in the Chicago area, and am a big fan of the Cubs, Bears, Bulls and Blackhawks! I attended the University of Illinois and received a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science. After graduation, I worked as a medical technologist specializing in the blood bank, where I met my husband. We have 3 amazing children, 2 are now in college and the youngest is in high school. We moved to Arizona in 2010, and since then I’ve been working part time to allow flexibility to shuttle the kids to and from school and gymnastics. My husband and I spend many weekends traveling to watch our kids’ gymnastics meets. In my free time I enjoy relaxing at home with our 2 dogs and 2 cats, watching Chicago team sports, and spending as much time as possible with my husband and kids.
Marchel Smith, Patient Care Coordinator in Scottsdale
I am an Arizona native born and raised but jumped at the chance to move to San Diego after getting married, where both of my boys were born. My husband and I
made the decision to move back to Arizona once we had our boys, so we could be closer to family. I have been a Patient Care Coordinator at the North Scottsdale location since 2022. Prior to working at AHG, I worked 15 years at a Youth Fitness Center where both of my boys competed in gymnastics, which kept us very busy for many years. Now that both of our boys are grown, my husband and I enjoy traveling as much as we can. We love going anywhere there is a beach or mountains. We enjoy spending our free time outdoors; camping, hiking, biking, kayaking or sitting on the beach in Mexico with a good book. My husband is from Nebraska, so football season is our favorite time…. GO HUSKERS!
BILLING SPECIALIST:
Molly Lue Prockish, Lead Billing Specialist
I have been with Advanced Hearing Group for 13 years. My family and I moved to Arizona in 1992 from Kansas. I enjoy the outdoors with my husband, fishing, walking our dog, shopping with my adult son, and watching old movies and college football.
PHYSICIAN LIASON:
Vikki Johnson, Physician Liaison
I have worked for Advanced Hearing since 2011; however, I have recently taken a much more active role as the Physician Liaison for the three offices. I am an Arizona native and a true desert rat! I received my BS in English Linguistics from ASU. In my free time, I like to chauffeur my kids to their extracurricular activities, read, hike, and enjoy sports.
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER:
Rebeca DiPuccio, Human Resource Manager
I’ve been the Human Resource Manager with Advanced Hearing Group since 2006. I am originally from Oklahoma (Go Sooners!) and have lived in Arizona since 1999. I have my B.S degree in business management. My husband and I have four children – two sons and two daughters. I enjoy spending my free time with my family, traveling, and photography. Did I mention I love the fine arts?
Happy Patients:
Will health insurance cover my hearing aids? What about ear wax removal?
Insurance covers many hearing & audiology services
Health insurance companies cover a variety of hearing aids. Since there are often specific requirements, and/or limitations on what or how much is covered, it is important to thoroughly understand what your health plan offers. It is our goal to find the type of hearing aid that is most suitable for your hearing loss. We will also help you understand your treatment options as they relate to your health insurance coverage.
Most insurance typically covers the cost of earwax removal services, with the patient paying only their standard policy deductible. However, the cost of earwax removal is not as expensive as you might think – without going through insurance, the cost of a standard earwax removal is $95.00 for either one ear or two.
We proudly contract with the insurance companies listed below. Our list is constantly growing, so check back often to see if your company is included. Alternatively, you can call us for assistance with your plan’s coverage, or to see if we contract with your insurance.
ACN Connected Care
Aetna / ALL plans/ Banner
Alaska Care
Arizona Care Network (ACN)
Arizona Complete Health (AHCCCS)
Allwell Commerical / AHCCCS
Ambetter
Ameriben
American Postal Workers Union (APWU)
Arizona Health Care Cost Containment (AHCCCS)
Arizona Medical Network (AMN)
AZ Complete Health Care
Banner University Medicare Advantage (SNP)
Banner University LTC (AHCCCS)
Banner University Family Care (AHCCCS)
Beech Street
Blue Cross Blue Shield (Auth required for Banner)
Children's Rehabilitation Services (CRS)
Cigna (All Plans)
CMDP (AHCCCS)
Cofinity
Core Civic
Coventry
First Health
Fortified Provider Network (HMN)
GEHA
Gilsbar
Golden Rule
Great West Health
Health Choice (AHCCCS)
Health Choice Pathway (SNP)
Health Management Network (HMN)
Healthnet (All Plans)
Healthnet Federal Services
Health Smart
Humana (All Plans)
ICE Health Services (IHS)
Imperial Insurance
Mail Handlers Benefit Plan (MHBP)
Medicare Part B
Medicare Railroad
Magellan Complete Care
Meritain
Meritus
Mercy Care Advantage (SNP)
Mercy Care Plan (AHCCCS)
Mercy Care Group Health
Mercy Care RBHA
Mercy Maricopa Integrated
Molina Care (AHCCCS)
Multiplan/RAN
Oscar Healthcare (Cigna only)
OWCP (Workers Comp.)
Refugee Medical Asst. Program (RMAP)
Southwest Services Administrators
Tricare West Region / HNFS
Triwest / VA Community Care
United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW)
UHC AARP Medicare Complete (Auth required for Banner)
UHC Dual Complete (SNP)
UHC Community Plan (AHCCCS)
UMR
United Mine Workers Union (UMWU)
United Healthcare (Auth required for Banner)
VA Community Care
Wellcare
Washington State Labor of Industry
Set an Appointment
