Pictured with Holly Yeo (third from left) are Dr. Kenneth Berger's family members: son Robert Berger, wife Barbara Berger and daughter Karen Berger Drotar.
The Kenneth W. Berger Memorial Scholarship honors the career and life of Dr. Kenneth W. Berger, a researcher, teacher, historian, private practitioner, and director of audiology at Kent State University. Eric Hagberg, Au.D., a former student, colleague, and friend of the late Dr. Berger, organized the scholarship campaign through the AFA to memorialize Dr. Berger and help provide scholarship resources for NOAC Au.D. students (which includes Kent State University).
Dr. Berger developed the first hearing aid prescription fitting method, still in use today, and as curator of the Berger Hearing Aid Museum and Archives, established the world's largest collection of hearing aids (over 2,600) and related materials. The Berger family is proud to have his name associated with NOAC, as it was always Dr. Berger's dream to see audiologists prepared for independent practice upon graduation.
The Kenneth W. Berger Memorial Scholarship is open to third-year Au.D. students in the NOAC program, and the winner is selected based on criteria that includes functioning at the highest level of clinical acumen, being ranked in the top fifth of the class, submitting a written essay and demonstrating a commitment to professional organizations.
The 2008 winner, Holly Yeo, received a $1,000 scholarship. She serves the NOAC NAFDA chapter as its secretary and membership coordinator, and also volunteers in the community in a variety of events including Day of Caring and The Big Event. She is a member of the International Student Organization and Graduate Student Government, and holds a gerontology certificate. In her essay, Yeo addressed the topic of professionalism in audiology.
"Professionalism is all encompassing, dealing with everything from appropriate attire and proper grammar to an honest dedication to patients and ethical conduct. Professionalism should be apparent in an audiologist's vocation every day of their career. Professionalism, in a sense, becomes a way of life."
The Kenneth W. Berger Memorial Scholarship will continue to be awarded annually to a third-year NOAC Au.D. student.
The AFA is an educational foundation whose mission is to empower audiologists to be independent and autonomous practitioners by supporting their educational preparation, professional practice and leadership development.
