MINNEAPOLIS - Industry leader GN ReSound honored the National Association of Future Doctors of Audiology (NAFDA) and its founding President Delbert F. Ault by presenting them with the third annual Caring for the Profession Award at the Academy of Dispensing Audiologists (ADA) convention held Oct. 26-28 in San Diego. GN ReSound's Caring for the Profession Award recognizes outstanding achievement in advancing the profession of audiology and enhancing its ability to effectively care for the hearing impaired.
''As the founder of NAFDA, it gives me great pride to accept GN ReSound's Caring for the Profession Award on the behalf of all our members,'' said Ault. ''Our student members, advisory board, corporate partners and even audiologists have worked hard to establish NAFDA as both an educational resource and as a source for open communication among all students in Au.D. programs across the country. For GN ReSound to recognize NAFDA with this award - to acknowledge students publicly as they move forward through each stage of their professional lives -it sends a statement about our integral contributions to the profession. NAFDA is going to train great leaders for this industry.''
Ault accepted the award on behalf of the 1,270 members of NAFDA at the ADA Members' Luncheon on Oct. 28. GN ReSound Vice President of Industry and Public Relations Dave Smriga, M.A., presented the award.
''In just two short years, NAFDA has gone from a fledgling student organization to a national rallying point behind the burgeoning doctor of audiology degree,'' said Smriga. ''Whether you are a student, a professor, a practitioner or a manufacturer, you can't help but admire this dedicated group of young men and women who have embraced so enthusiastically, the opportunities represented by the Au.D. degree. Delbert Ault's dedication and charisma have played a large role in generating the immediate impact and visibility NAFDA enjoys today. But it is the quality of all of NAFDA's student members that draws our attention to the new standard of excellence to which the profession of audiology will now hold itself. It is a pleasure to recognize this organization and the excellent example they set for all young people considering a profession in this newly re-born field of audiology.''
Past Caring for the Profession Award recipients:
1999 - Alice Holmes, Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator of the Au.D. Distance Learning Program, University of Florida Au.D.
1998 - David Goldstein, past president of the Audiology Foundation of America.
Ault founded NAFDA along with 18 student counterparts in six Au.D. university programs across the country. Their first meeting was held in January 1999, with student chapters subsequently established at each Au.D. university: University of Louisville, Ball State University, University of Florida, Central Michigan University, Gallaudet University, University of South Florida, University of Buffalo, Towson University, Nova Southeastern, Arizona School of Health and Pennsylvania College of Optometry.
