Additional Gift Made to Support the September Jerger Future Leaders of Audiology Conference.
(Reston, VA, November 25, 2014) The American Academy of Audiology Foundation (AAAF) is pleased to announce that the Oticon Foundation has renewed its commitment to fund the Marion Downs Lecture in Pediatric Audiology through 2019. The Oticon Foundation’s generous grant ensures that audiologists are able to attend the annual presentation at AudiologyNOW! or access the Web seminar through eAudiology, the American Academy of Audiology’s professional development program. And, as the audiology community mourns the recent loss of the remarkable Dr. Marion Downs, it is especially fitting that her contributions to the hearing community will continue to be celebrated at this annual session.
Don Schum, PhD, Oticon's VP, audiology and professional relations, has facilitated grant funding for AAAF programs, beginning with the original gift that established the Marion Down Lecture in 2004. "The Oticon team shares the audiology community’s loss on learning of Marion’s recent death,” Schum said. “Marion’s ground-breaking work and indomitable spirit were inspirational. We are pleased that our gift honors and perpetuates her innumerable contributions to pediatric audiology.”
From left, Don Schum, Marion Downs, and former AAAF Chair Dianne Meyer (far right) welcome the 2011 Marion Downs Lecture presenter, Karen Avraham, at AudiologyNOW! in Chicago.
In addition to the grant for the Marion Downs Lecture, the Oticon Foundation also recently provided $25,000 in support for the Jerger Future Leaders of Audiology Conference (JFLAC). The September meeting, attended by 12 early career audiologists, featured inspirational presentations from thought leaders in audiology, health care, management, and leadership, as well as sessions on the history of the profession and the Academy, ‘hot topics’ in the field, ethics, and audiology advocacy.
“The AAAF is very grateful for the generosity of our colleagues at the Oticon Foundation,” said Angela Shoup, PhD, chair of the Foundation Board. “The scope and impact of Marion’s work with families and children around the world was immeasurable, and continues to inspire both past and future leaders in our profession. We share with our friends at Oticon in celebrating Marion’s life, and are honored to continue her legacy and commitment to pediatric audiology…and our youngest patients.”
For information on free on-demand access to the annual Marion Downs Lectures, visit www.eaudiology.org or www.audiologyfoundation.org.
About the American Academy of Audiology Foundation (AAAF)
The American Academy of Audiology Foundation’s mission is to advance philanthropy in support of research, education, and public awareness in audiology and the hearing sciences. The AAAF works closely with the American Academy of Audiology to fund promising 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 AAAF is exempt under 501(c)3 of the IRS code, and all gifts are tax deductible as allowed by law. For more information, visit www.audiologyfoundation.org.
About the Oticon Foundation
When Hans Demant founded Oticon in 1904, it was for a good reason: his wife was hearing impaired, and he was determined to help her and others like her. Inspired by Demant’s humanistic philosophy, his son William and his wife created the William Demant & Ida Emilie Foundation in 1957. The Foundation is also known as the Oticon Foundation. The Foundation’s statutes mandate that income be used to support the needs of hearing-impaired individuals as well as organizations. Income is derived through the Foundation’s ownership of the majority of shares in the Oticon company. As one of the world’s oldest foundations, the Oticon Foundation sponsors social and educational programs, publications, conferences, cultural activities and campaigns - for researchers, hearing care professionals and the general public.
