Renata Nehme, RDH, BSDH, COM®

Airway Circle Founder

Renata Nehme, RDH, BSDH, COM® passionately served as a Registered Dental Hygienist for 10 years. With a passion for Myofunctional Therapy, she successfully operates an online practice, extending her expertise to patients in over 20 countries.

Renata earned her degrees from Armstrong Atlantic State University and Georgia Highlands University, and discovered her calling for the Myofunctional Therapy field during a 2016 continuing education class.

Drawing inspiration from Brazil's notable contributions to Myofunctional Therapy research, Renata, a former mouth breather, empathizes with those facing myofunctional disorders, fueling her dedication to airway-related health.

In 2021, she founded Airway Circle, uniting health professionals dedicated to dental and airway well-being.

Tamara Thomas, RDH, CSOM

Creative Director

Tamara’s journey into Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) began in 2016 with her own personal and family experiences with orofacial dysfunction. Being tongue tied herself, she went through the therapy to eliminate her oral dysfunction. Upon finishing the program, the spark grew for her to continue with the OMT endeavors. Tamara began exploring the field of OMT and with extensive training and education, she became a Certified Specialist in Orofacial Myology (CSOM).

In 2017, she opened Facial Physique. In the last few years Tamara has become a Myofunctional Therapy Advisor to oversee and guide other professionals in OMT.

Angela Richwine, RDH, BS, QOM

Director of Operations

Angela is a Registered Dental Hygienist and Orofacial Myologist in Fredericksburg, Virginia. She is the owner of Central Virginia OMT providing myofunctional therapy to children and adults.

Angela enjoys visiting National Parks, traveling abroad, and sitting on the sidelines cheering for her kids.

Ann Blau, MS, CCC-SLP

Editor-in-Chief

Ann Blau is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist and Orofacial Myologist. 

She is the owner and founder of All Access Speech Therapy, a practice specializing in the assessment and treatment of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders in older children, adolescents and adults. She also works with adults with acquired communication, cognitive, voice and swallowing disorders.

Ann provides services via telepractice to patients in the states of New York and Florida.

Madison Scott, RDH

Member Relations

Madison is a Registered Dental Hygienist and Orofacial Myologist in Ann Arbor, MI. After receiving her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of Michigan in 2010, she continued her education in Orofacial Myology in 2019. Later that year, she began running the Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Department at Dexter Dental Studio. She is passionate about helping her patients achieve better breath, muscle function, and balance in the orofacial complex.

Kimmie Herrera, BSDH, RDH

Event Coordinator

Kimmie has been in dentistry since 2001 working in all areas of the dental office. While working as a Registered Dental Hygienist at a dental office that was becoming more aware of airway focused dentistry, she helped implement a screening protocol for patients. In that process, she discovered the world of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy. In 2017, she opened Smile and Airway Health providing in-person and virtual therapy to children and adults. In her dental career, she has loved the opportunities of mentoring and helping other professionals continue to learn and grow, which has drawn her to connect with the amazing professionals at Airway Circle. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and hiking in the beautiful Colorado mountains.

Kim Balkema, RDH

Director of Social Media

After pursuing a career in Veterinary Technology, Kim discovered her hidden passion - Dentistry. In 2006, Kim Balkema proudly graduated with the highest honors in dental hygiene and continued her education with advanced courses in Myofunctional Therapy in 2021. This led to the establishment of Primitive Function, LLC, where Kim offers in-person and virtual therapy for children and adults.

Kim believes in the power of following one's passions, embracing change, and tirelessly pursuing self-improvement, all while being a dedicated wife and mother to three beautiful children and a miniature dachshund.

Dr. Bill Harrell

Board Certified Orthodontist

Dr. Harrell is a Board Certified Orthodontist and in the process of Board Certification in Dental Sleep Medicine. He was the first practice in Alabama to have Conebeam CT (CBCT) and the first private practice in the US to combine CBCT with 3D facial imaging. He is on the American Dental Association’s Children’s Airway Screener Taskforce (CAST) to develop a simplified and validated screening form for SDB in children. He is in the process of writing a textbook on Pediatric Sleep Disorders and its relationship to craniofacial growth and early Orthodontic intervention.

Dr. Lauren Ballinger

Board Certified Pediatric Dentist

Lauren Ballinger is a board certified pediatric dentist and a certified specialist in orofacial myology. After 15 years of practicing restorative pediatric dentistry and interceptive orthodontics , she experienced her own “ah-ha” moment that changed the focus of her personal and professional life forever. Inspired by her own children, Dr. Lauren began a pilgrimage of deeper learning and understanding to BE THE CHANGE her children, and for all the children that needed her help. Dr. Lauren recently founded Good to Grow Pediatric Dental Wellness, Airway, Growth and Sleep Solutions and The Nurture Frenectomy Center, creating an answer to her calling in a unique pediatric practice model, solely focused on addressing the root causes of suboptimal function, growth and development.

Dr. Christopher Tran, MD

Board-Certified Otolaryngologist

Dr. Christopher Tran is a Southern California native who achieved a degree in Psychology at the University of Southern California, followed by a medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville. He then completed his otolaryngology (ENT) residency at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans and is board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery. He has finally settled down in Houston, Texas. In his “free time,” he likes to spend time with his wife Mai and son Tristan.

Dr. Tran has a comprehensive ENT practice with particular interests in breathing-related surgery and in-office procedures. He enjoys collaborating with local healthcare providers to optimize patient outcomes and has a strong passion for educating and empowering students and patients.

Cynthia Peterson, PT, CSOM, CST, CEAS

Physical Therapist, Author, and Researcher

Cynthia is a Certified Specialist in Orofacial Myology, Ergonomics, and Craniosacral Therapy with training in osteopathy, visceral & fascial manipulation, cranial and infant CST, dry needling, and the cold laser. Also a breath re-educator trained in Buteyko, Integrative Breathing Therapy, Restorative Breathing with a neurologic focus including: Dynamic Functional Cranial Nerve Assessment, Primal Reflex Release, rhythmic movement & reflex integration. 

Cynthia is a published researcher, creator & co-founder of www.fairest.org; dedicated to developing Functional AIRway Evaluation Screening Tools to improve the early identification & treatment of airway related disorders.