The staff of Benke ENT Clinic wants patients to feel comfortable about their visit since Dr. Benke has designed a warm, caring and inviting office building. The staff partners in this endeavor. Everything they do is geared towards giving each patient an exceptional experience. They understand that a lot of people don’t like doctor’s offices, especially the paperwork and the waiting. They will go out of their way to help navigate the patient’s journey to help them feel better.
Otolaryngologist/ Head and Neck Surgeon
Dr. Benke began his specialty practice in Cleburne in 2000 and is committed to providing excellent ENT care. A native of Dallas, Dr. Benke graduated from Jesuit High School and Baylor University. He completed medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, and ENT residency training at the University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics in Columbia, Missouri. Dr. Benke is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology, is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy. He served for five years in the USAF, including two years as Chief of ENT at RAF Lakenheath Hospital in Suffolk, UK. He is a former clinical assistant professor at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and has lectured at Cambridge University.
Audiologist
Dr. Samantha Powers was born and raised on a small farm outside of Paola, Kansas. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Habilitation of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing from TCU and her Doctorate of Audiology from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. She is certified by the American Speech – Language – Hearing Association (ASHA), is a Fellow with the American Academy of Audiology (AAA), and is also proficient in sign language.
Before coming to Cleburne, Dr. Powers worked in Fort Collins, Colorado at Hearing Rehab Center (HRC). Because of her outstanding service as an Audiologist, HRC was voted the Best Hearing Clinic of Northern Colorado for 2019 and 2020.
Dr. Powers’ passion to help people hear better began as a teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing. From the classroom to the clinic, Dr. Powers has a deep and well-rounded experience mentoring people through the process of hearing better. Outside the office she enjoys spending time traveling, hiking, and volunteering in her community.
Office Manager
Ellen started as a receptionist with Benke ENT in 2005. She has truly grown with the company working as an occupational hearing specialist, medical scribe and now the office manager. Ellen is a proud mom of two active boys. She has lived in Cleburne for over 30 years and considers it her hometown. Ellen enjoys baking and has a particular affection for decorated sugar cookies. She loves sharing her creations with co-workers!
Nurse
Sherry has worked at Benke ENT since 2001. She is a LVN and manages the back office. Sherry graduated from Hill College in Hillsboro and has been a nurse for over 30 years. She lives in Rio Vista with her husband and has two grown children and one grandchild. Sherry enjoys spending time with family, shopping, and traveling.
Medical Scribe
Dana serves as a medical assistant and scribe, has worked in the medical field for 19+ years. She has experience in medical assisting, coding, billing, instructing, managing and most recently as a senior software training mentor for a national electronic medical records company. She has a BA in Psychology and and MS in Counseling. Dana joined Benke ENT in 2021.
Front Office Coordinator and Oto-Tech
Sarah manages the front office and is the lead patient coordinator and assists in the Audiology department. Originally from Graham, Texas, Sarah moved to Cleburne from Florida with her husband and two children in 2013. She loves Cleburne and being “home” again! In her spare time, Sarah enjoys reading, crocheting and laughing (and if you’ve been to the office recently, you have probably heard her infectious laugh!).
Front Office Coordinator
Jamie is the front office patient coordinator. She has been with the practice since 2018 and enjoys visiting with patients and helping with their healthcare needs. In Jamie’s time at home in Glen Rose she enjoys cooking, spending time with her family and being outdoors.
