AFA Appoints New Directors

Pictured from left to right are:
Rich Burba, MBA, Linda Remensnyder, and Micheal Hartman, Au.D.

W. Lafayette, IN - Three new directors have been appointed to serve on the Audiology Foundation of America's (AFA) Board of Directors. Directors volunteer their time and efforts as well as expenses to attend board meetings, so this is a major commitment to the profession.

Rich Burba, MBA, a business executive from Glen Ellyn, Illinois, attended his first AFA Board meeting in May 2000. Burba brings an extensive knowledge of business practices from the corporate sector. He served as Vice President of Finance and Operations for a $60 Million division of a Fortune 500 company. He has also served on the board and committees for various non-profit groups.

He is currently responsible for managing his partner's (Linda Burba) multi-office audiology practice. When asked to serve on the AFA Board, Burba replied, ''I feel honored to serve on the board and hope to bring a fresh outlook during this exciting and critical juncture in the profession.''

Audiologist Linda Remensnyder of Lake Forest, IL, enthusiastically agreed to offer her time and talents because she believes in the AFA's mission to help audiology become a doctoring profession. She has served her profession as a presenter at many state and national conventions. Additionally, in 1998, Remensnyder received the LUCI award (Leading Us in Commerce and Industry) for Excellence in the Field of Health Services from the Business Journal, McHenry, Kane, Lake Counties. The award recognizes women who have distinguished themselves through their business accomplishments and leadership in Lake County.

She has been practicing over 27 years, currently in Libertyville and Gurnee, Illinois, in the far northern suburbs of Chicago. She employs three audiologists, a licensed hearing aid specialist, and an auditory verbal therapist in her two private practices.

Remensnyder will complete her Au.D. degree this summer in the University of Florida's Working Professional Au.D. program. She has been able to expand her services for patients due to the new knowledge and skills learned during her degree program, particularly in the areas of vestibular rehabilitation, pediatric audiology and counseling. ''The Au.D. is about empowerment. The intensive format of my Au.D. program, and being held accountable for the information motivated me far better than attendance at conventions and training seminars. The extensive additional knowledge I have acquired has not only advanced my clinical skills but more importantly, it has given me more effective tools to empower my patients.''

Micheal Hartman, Au.D. accepted a director's position with the AFA also. He and his wife own a private practice in Davenport, Iowa with satellite offices in 6 Iowa and Illinois cities. Dr. Hartman has recently completed his distance education Au.D. degree from the University of Florida. A practitioner since 1981, he is past president of the Iowa Association of Hearing Health Professionals, as well as a member of ADA and AAA. His responsibilities for the AFA will initially revolve around coordinating state activities as well as serving on the Alliance Awards Committee.

Dr. Hartman stated that he joined the AFA Board to help ensure the transition to the Au.D. is completed expeditiously. ''The Au.D. will better define the role of audiologists in hearing health care and strengthen our ability to move towards becoming limited license practitioners with a more protected scope of practice.''

AFA Directors Peggy Sheets of New Hampshire, Valenta Ward-Gravely of Ohio, and Jim Lombardo of Wisconsin recently stepped aside to the AFA's Advisory Committee after many years of devoted service to the profession's transition to the Au.D. The AFA appreciates the commitment and contributions of these directors. According to AFA's Chair, Ken Lowder, Au.D., 'Without outstanding individuals such as these, AFA's mission to improve audiology education would have withered on the vine. It is thanks to them that the profession's transition to the Au.D. is becoming a reality.'

Contact:
Susan Paarlberg
Executive Director
Audiology Foundation of America
Phone: 765-743-6283
Fax: 765-743-9283
Web site: audfound.org