Awards were presented for the AFA by faculty from the school, including Nancy Green, Au.D. Dr. Green, who practices in Jacksonville, Florida, was in the Arizona School of Health Sciences' first graduating class and has been an adjunct faculty member since. She served on the board of the AFA for 8 years and continues to serve on the advisory committee. This graduation class of 123 new Doctors of Audiology makes the total nationwide over 2900 as of August 2005.
Dr. Syfert's award was for her volunteer efforts in national audiology organizations as well as Au.D. classroom leadership in the area of auditory processing assessment.
Dr. Allen's award recognized her expertise and leadership in ensuring quality audiology services are accessible to children and her work with state and national audiology efforts, particularly in the school-based practitioner milieu.
Dr. Rainwater was recognized for her courage in defending audiology's transition to the Au.D. degree for professional entry and showing leadership in the military audiology setting. Distance education Au.D. programs are invited to nominate graduates for the awards, and an AFA committee selects the winners. "These awards are intended to recognize practitioners doing exceptional things in leading the profession toward improved education and practice," according to AFA Executive Director, Susan B. Paarlberg.
