October 6, 2010, Reston, VA - As part of their efforts to promote leadership education in hearing health care, the American Academy of Audiology Foundation and The Oticon Foundation provided funding for the 2010 Future Leaders of Audiology Conference (FLAC). The meeting was held September 30â October 2, and offered twelve audiologists the opportunity to develop leadership skills, discuss future professionâ focused "hot topics," and learn about the history of audiology and the Academy.
Peer Lauritsen, President of Oticon, Inc., stated that "...The Oticon Foundation was pleased to partner with the AAA Foundation to fund the Future Leaders Conference." He continued, "Oticon strives to empower people to communicate, interact and participate, and we are proud that our gift enabled audiology's new leaders to advance this mission. Visionary leadership for audiology will ensure that both the profession and those with hearing impairment have dedicated and committed leaders guiding the science and practice of audiology for years to come."
Funding from the two Foundations supported a curriculum that included topics such as strategic planning, leadership theories, time management, interpersonal skills and communication styles. Those who attended also worked on team projects on the following four subjects: best practices and uniformity in doctoral audiology education;direct access;increasing student recruitment and awareness about professional and research opportunities in audiology;and audiologic care in remote and underserved areas in both the U.S. and abroad. The future leaders were tasked with bringing creative, thoughtful and innovative ideas on these topics to the meeting, and with the development of presentations for Academy and AAA Foundation leadership.
The meeting was a collaborative effort on many fronts. Audiologists from all practice settings were involved in the conference planning, and several allied organizations participated in educational sessions. Past Academy leadership and members of the FLAC Class of 2008 joined the twelve audiologists who were selected for FLAC 2010: Shanna Allen, AuD;Samuel Atcherson, PhD;Brenna Carroll, AuD;Patricia Gaffney, AuD;Melissa Heche, AuD;Samantha Lewis, PhD;Joscelyn Martin, AuD;Hilary Rosenstrauch, AuD;Elizabeth Thompson, AuD;Christine Ulinski, AuD;Brian Urban, AuD;and Letitia White, AuD. And FLAC underwriting from the AAA Foundation and The Oticon Foundation was supplemented with individual gifts from Academy and FLAC 2008 leaders who are committed to
advancing audiology leadership.
"While leadership development is ongoing within both a profession and a volunteer organization, the Academy and the Foundation understand the critical need for it and are committed to making it happen," concluded the Academy and AAA Foundation Executive Director, Cheryl Kreider Carey, CAE. "On behalf of both organizations, I thank The Oticon Foundation... and all the great volunteers who made FLAC 2010 a meaningful experience."
Visit www.audiologyfoundation.org for more information about the Future Leaders of Audiology Conference (FLAC) and other programs funded by the AAA Foundation. Photos for use with press release are available upon request;email kculver@audiology.org.
About the American Academy of Audiology Foundation
The American Academy of Audiology Foundation's mission is to promote philanthropy in support of research, education, and public awareness in audiology and hearing science. The AAA Foundation works closely with the American Academy of Audiology to fund research grants, to sponsor educational opportunities for students, audiologists and other hearing professionals, and to increase public understanding of the causes, treatments and prevention of hearing loss. The AAA Foundation is exempt under 501(c)(3) of the IRS code, and all gifts are tax deductible as allowed by law. For more information, visit the AAA Foundation website at www.audiologyfoundation.org.
