Our People

Meet our team!

Mikaila Pence

CEO

Dr. Mikaila Heldt Pence, originally from the foothills outside of Denver, has been serving the San Luis Valley community since 2011. She attended Mullen High School in Denver, received her Bachelor's Degree in Biochemistry with minors in Biology, Physics in Medicine, Leadership, and Business as well as a Masters Degree in Physical Chemistry at the University of Denver. She completed medical school at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and Pediatric Internship & Residency at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City with specialty rotations at Children's Hospital Colorado in Denver.

She lives with her husband and 3 children in Monte Vista where they pasture raise Miniature Herefords for show, breeding & beef. When not in clinic you'll find her busy attending basketball and soccer games, track meets, cow shows, and 4H meetings.

She is excited to be a part of a community driven effort to improve access to specialty care for pediatric patients and their families and hopes that the clinic will become a true community for these children and families and last long beyond her.

CONTACT: mhpence@cscslv.org

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Jennifer Clutter

Chief of Operations

I serve as the Chief of Operations and bring over 18 years of experience in healthcare operations. I was born and raised in this community, which has deeply shaped my passion for ensuring children and their families have access to high-quality, compassionate care. Positively impacting the place I call home, helping others, and spreading kindness are values that guide both my work and my life.

In my role, I love working alongside collaborative, multidisciplinary teams to support the delivery of care to children. I am committed to making sure our team members have the tools, resources, and support they need to do their jobs well so they can focus on what matters most, providing meaningful, family-centered care.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our three children. We love being outdoors and exploring the mountains together, and I feel grateful to raise my family in the community that raised me.

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Ashley Witherspoon

Chief of Philanthropy

I’m a proud wife and mom to the sweetest husband and our spunky little girl, and it’s both a personal and professional joy to step into the role of Chief of Philanthropy at CSCSLV.

As a born-and-raised San Luis Valley native, this community holds a truly special place in my heart. My drive for expanding resources and opportunities for the children and families who call the Valley home is deeply personal. I believe every child deserves access to the support and opportunities they need to thrive.

At the heart of my work is a belief in the power of people coming together to make a real difference. I am passionate about building strong relationships, strengthening our community, and guiding thoughtful giving that truly changes lives. When generosity is rooted in purpose, it becomes powerful. I’m honored to help carry that vision forward and excited to grow our impact alongside this incredible team and community.

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Jordan Curtis

Occupational Therapist

Jordan Curtis, originally from the eastern plains of Colorado, has been living and serving in the San Luis Valley community since 2010. She attended Colorado State University and received her Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Studies and Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy in 2008. She has been working with children for more than 20 years in various capacities.

Jordan lives with her husband and 4 children in Monte Vista, CO. Her favorite pastimes include supporting her kids’ various interests and activities as well as painting, photography, hiking, backpacking, biking, and going on new adventures.

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DJ Enderle

Board Chair

I am not a Colorado Native, I moved to the San Luis Valley in 1999 to attend college and I settled here to raise my family. After learning that college was not the best path for me I joined the Army; in 2022 I retired as a Command Sergeant Major. I decided that my post military life would be about making the community I chose to make my home better in any way I can. This passion brought me to work for the City of Monte Vista as a City Planner and Community Development Director. Where I strive to improve the City and the surrounding community. My wife and I have three beautiful children and I have a passion to make the lives of the families in the San Luis Valley better. As a business owner, a City Employee and the various boards I serve on, my number one goal is to improve the lives of those around me.

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Arielle Middlemist

Board Member

My name is Arielle Middlemist and I am a board member for the Children's Specialty Clinic of the San Luis Valley. I am a San Luis Valley Native and grew up in Manassa, CO. I received my B.A. in Psychology from the University of Colorado Boulder and am currently obtaining my M.A. in Communication Disorders from Emerson College to become a Speech Language Pathologist. I have worked as a behavior technician with children in home, school, clinic, and community settings for about 5 years. I am passionate about providing children and their families support and resources to learn, grow, and thrive! In my free time, I enjoy playing and teaching piano, adventuring with my 2 dogs, and spending time with friends and family.

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Patrick Sparks

BCBA

Patrick Sparks received his BS of psychology in 2017 and began working with intellectually disabled adults. The facility and group homes Patrick worked in introduced him to applied behavior analysis. After realizing the best way to improve adults' lives was to work with them as children, he began working on obtaining his BCBA. Patrick became an RBT in 2019, then a BCaBA in 2020. Patrick then graduated with his MA in Special Education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of West Florida and became a BCBA in 2021. Patrick enjoys board games, running, hiking, camping, gardening, and playing disc golf in his free time. Patrick will be living in Monte Vista with his wife and their cat.

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Angela Heersink

Licensed Counselor

Excited to join the San Luis Valley Children's Specialty Clinic as an LPC! I provide child-centered play therapy for kids aged 3-10 and also work with adolescents and teens. I use an integrated, indivdualized approach to support each child and family.

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