Current Topics for Audiologists in the VA Healthcare System, ​​in partnership with AVAA

Jessica Preston
AuD

Jessica Preston, AuD, CCC-A is a clinical audiologist at the Connecticut Veteran’s Administration Healthcare System where she has worked since 2005.  She earned her BA from UConn, MS from Southern Connecticut State University, and her Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Florida.  
Jessica has dedicated much of her career to cochlear implants and currently serves as the lead cochlear implant audiologist at the Connecticut VA.  In this role, she is responsible for coordinating and managing care for Veteran cochlear implant recipients including helping with the development of cochlear implant telehealth services.  In addition to her work with cochlear implants, Dr. Preston has also served on the Connecticut VA Polytrauma team.  Her work on this team allows her to focus on the diagnosis and treatment of Veterans with auditory processing disorders secondary to traumatic brain injury.  She is also an adjunct instructor at Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT.

Cyndi Trueheart
AuD

Section Chief - Audiology/Speech Pathology Department

Cyndi E. Trueheart, AuD, CCC-A, is a clinical audiologist and Section Chief of the Audiology/Speech Pathology Department at the Connecticut Veteran’s Administration Healthcare System. She earned both her Bachelor of Arts degree and her Master of Science degree from Southern Connecticut State University where she is currently an Adjunct Instructor in the Communication Disorders program. She later received her Doctor of Audiology degree from Central Michigan University. Over the past 20 years, she has presented at numerous national and international conferences on the topic of adult  aural rehabilitation. Her particular areas of interest include cochlear implants, telemedicine, and rehabilitation of veteran’s with dual sensory impairments.

Delia Karahalios
AuD

Erica Dombrowsky
AuD

Steve Huart
AuD

Director of Professional Development

Steve is the audiology supervisor at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center and Allied Health Director (Audiology) for the Eastern CO GRECC. His fellowship training was at The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and he earned his AuD from Central Michigan University. He has over 35 years’ experience as an audiologist, is a Navy Veteran, and is proud to be serving Veterans at the VA in CO.

Kathryn Nearing
PhD, MA

Kathryn (Kady) is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Geriatric Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and Center on Aging. Kady also serves as the Associate Director for Education and Evaluation for the Eastern Colorado Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC). Kady holds a PhD in the health and behavioral sciences and a masters degree in medical and applied anthropology, both from the University of Colorado.

Stephanie Disney
MS CCC-A

Stephanie Disney received her undergraduate degree from Marshall University and advanced degree in Audiology from the University of Louisville.  She has worked extensively in pediatric service provision for children with unique needs, and was part of the implementation  of Universal Newborn Hearing Screening in Kentucky.  Stephanie has also worked in service provision for adults with intellectual disabilities, and as a rehab manager. She is currently the Vestibular-Balance Program manager at the Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams VAMC in Huntington, WV.