Grand Rounds: A Series of Unfortunate Events, presented in partnership with the University of South Dakota

Jessica J. Messersmith
PhD

Jessica J. Messersmith is a Professor at the University of South Dakota where she is the Associate Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences and the Faculty Athletics Representative; she also is an active faculty member in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders where she teaches, does research, and sees patients. Her research focuses on clinical practices that hinder or improve outcomes of pediatric patients in the audiology clinic, with a specific focus on cochlear implants and infant hearing detection and intervention. Through her clinical, research, and teaching duties she continually strives to improve access to care for pediatric patients in underserved, rural, and impoverished areas.

Lindsey E. Jorgensen
AuD, PhD

Professor, University of South Dakota

Lindsey E. Jorgensen is a Professor and serves as Department Chair and Clinic Director in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department at the University of South Dakota; she also holds a position as a Research Audiologist for the Department of Veterans affairs. At the University of South Dakota Lindsey teaches, conducts research, and provides clinical services in the area of hearing aids and hearing assistive technology. Her research focuses on how to best personalize hearing technologies for patient individual cognitive, psychological, physical, and social needs.

Jennifer Phelan
AuD

Jennifer Phelan is an Assistant Professor of Practice and Audiology Clinic Coordinator at the University of South Dakota. Her clinical interests include diagnostics and treatment within pediatric audiology. As clinic coordinator, she strives to continually support the development of graduate clinicians and clinical educators.

Rachel Barrett
AuD

Rachel Barrett is an audiologist at Professional Hearing Care in La Crosse Wisconsin. She completed her AuD from the University of South Dakota in 2023. She completed her fourth-year placement at a private practice in London, UK.

Jacynda Gellhaus
MS

Jacynda Gellhaus is currently enrolled in the AuD program at the University of South Dakota where she is expected to receive her doctoral degree in 2025. She received her MS from Arizona State University in neuroscience where she investigated music perception in cochlear implant users.

Gabriella Emme
BA

Gabriella Emme is currently enrolled in the AuD program at the University of South Dakota where she is expected to receive her doctoral degree in 2025. She currently serves as the graduate teaching assistant where she teaches the undergraduate audiology courses.