Lucille B. Beck, Ph.D. Receives Presidential Rank Award

On November 28, 2000, Lucille B. Beck, Ph.D., director of Audiology and Speech Pathology Service for the Department of
Veterans Affairs received the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious
Executive Service.

The Presidential Rank awards recognize executives with careers of sustained accomplishment- executives who have consistently demonstrated strength, leadership, integrity, industry, and personal conduct of a level that has established and maintains a high degree of public confidence and trust.

The 2000 rank of Meritorious Executive was awarded to no more than 5 percent of career senior executives. Eighteen VA
executives received the award. Dr. Beck is the first audiologist ever to
achieve this honor.

The Honorable William J. Clinton, President of the United States of America, conferred the rank of Meritorious Executive in the Senior Executive Service. His written remarks recognized Dr. Beck 'for sustained extraordinary accomplishment in management of programs of the United States government and for leadership exemplifying the highest standards of service to the public, reflecting credit on the career civil service.'

Dr. Beck was honored for her leadership of the VA's 1000 Audiology and Speech Pathology professionals in approximately 150 VA medical centers around the country. Her clinical program direction was cited for providing high quality health care to veterans with hearing, speech, language, and related disorders. Recognizing that technology, such as hearing aids, is an integral part of the rehabilitation of veterans with communication disorders, Dr. Beck's outstanding direction of technical assessment initiatives and programmatic management of communication-related rehabilitative technologies were recognized for their excellence. Her programs blend best professional practices with efficient business practices.

Dr. Beck has made significant contributions to the health and quality of life of the nation's veterans and to the professions she represents. Dr. Beck led the development of innovative educational initiatives for VA professionals and for the training of future audiologists and speech pathologists. She has established collaborative initiatives for VA with the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense.

Her accomplishments in the areas of education, professional and community service and research reflect her commitment to excellence. She has held academic appointments as George Washington and Gallaudet Universities teaching graduate courses at both institutions. She has served as president of a national professional association, the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) and received that organization's Distinguished Service Award. She served on the Board of Trustees for the national consumer
organization for persons with hearing loss; Self Help for Hard of Hearing Persons (SHHH). She has been a member of the Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Advisory Panel for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and was awarded the Commissioner's Special Citation. She has many publications and
presentations and is a recognized expert in hearing aids.