The new Au.D. Graduates include Cathleen A. Alex of Watertown, Connecticut; David Chin of Maidens, Virginia; Veronica H. Heide of Madison, Wisconsin; Kay D. Krebs of South Bellmore, New York; John C. Miles from Ben Lomond, California; and Valerie F. Parrott from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada.
Dr. Cathleen Alex operates a private audiology practice in Watertown. She has over 23 years of experience in industry, medical practices, and audiologic practices. 'Dr. Alex noted, 'PCO had the perfect Au.D. program for me. I am the mother of three teenagers, a private practitioner, and I help my husband with our berry farm. The program gave me the skills needed to provide my patients the best audiologic care the profession has to offer. I am very grateful for the commitment shown by the awesome team of professors that make up the PCO School of Audiology faculty.'
Dr. Heide graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree from Marshall University, Huntington, W.V., and in 1977 with a Master of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She is the author of numerous articles in audiology journals and lectures frequently to local, state, and national professional associations. Dr. Heide is the owner/operator of Audible Difference®, LLC in Madison and the first Au.D. graduate in Wisconsin. Dr. Heide said 'The PCO program provided a wonderful opportunity for me to benefit from the knowledge and leadership of professionals in the area of auditory-vestibular research. I tremendously benefited from professors who are not only leaders in their areas of expertise, but they are audiologists who practice what they teach. I enjoyed getting to know audiologists from around the world.'
Dr. Krebs has maintained a private practice in Bellmore since 1981. She received the School's 1st annual 'Dean's Award for Comprehensive Excellence in Audiology'. The award is given to the Au.D. graduate who demonstrates overall clinical excellence by achieving the highest score on the School's Au.D. comprehensive examination. She reported , 'The coursework prepared me well for the comprehensive exam, which was not so bad after all. The magnificent setting of the Philadelphia Academy of Music, the green velvet trimmed robes, the hooding, beautiful diploma and camaraderie of my colleagues, along with the presence of my family made graduation a high point of my life.'
Dr. Miles received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Humboldt State University, Arcata, Calif. in 1977 , and a Master of Science degree from San Francisco State University in 1980. A private practitioner with offices in the local community hospital complex in Los Gatos, Dr. Miles is the father of four daughters, active in community theater and he sings in a barbershop quartet. He has been practicing audiology for 21 years.
Dr. Parrott graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, New Foundland, and in 1979 with a Master of Science degree from Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Since 1991 she has owned and operated the Parrott Hearing Clinic in St. John's, Newfoundland. 'The Au.D. Program at PCO has been life-changing for me. Sometimes professional isolation occurs when you live in geographic isolation. The program has allowed me clinical expertise in professional areas which were not even being researched when I graduated with my entry level degree' stated Dr. Parrott. In addition to authoring several papers on ABR testing and presentations at professional meetings on a variety of audiologic topics, Dr. Parrott is a founding member of the Canadian Association of Audiologists and currently serves as a member of the Federal Provincial Alliance for Federally Funded Audiology Programs.
The Pennsylvania College of Optometry, founded in 1919, is dedicated to graduating Doctors of Optometry and Audiology, and offering other educational, research, and patient care programs responsive to the health-related needs of the public.
Today, over 700 students are enrolled in the optometric O.D. program, audiology Au.D. program, and Master of Science degree programs in Vision Rehabilitation and Education.
Left to right in picture: Dr. Kay Krebs, Dr. Veronica Heide, Dr. George Osborne, Dr. John Miles, Dr. Cathleen Alex. Not available for the picture were Dr. David Chin and Dr. Valerie Parrott.
