Dianne Meyer, PhD, chair of the AAAF Board stated, "The AAAF is delighted to facilitate Starkey's generous support of the SAA. Part of the Foundation's mission is to fund educational opportunities for audiology students, and this partnership will benefit many AuD, PhD, and other graduate students. This generous contribution will greatly supplement Foundation funds earmarked for student educational efforts in 2010."
Barry Freeman, PhD, senior director of education and audiology at Starkey, echoed Meyer's enthusiasm about the importance of funding initiatives for students.
Supporting and mentoring audiology students has been a priority for Starkey for many years. We are so pleased to partner with the AAAF and new Student Academy to contribute to the quality educational opportunities for students attending the Academy's 2010 convention. We are proud to have a number of ongoing educational initiatives for students from scholarships and classes to externship placements. Along with Dr. Jerry Northern, our director of professional services, I welcome the opportunity to nurture future audiologists, knowing that ultimately our future patients will reap the benefits through quality hearing health care.When the SAA was established last spring, the AudiologyNOW! 2009 Program Committee collaborated with student leadership to develop student-focused activities. The 2010 Program Committee is working with student representatives to build on last year's successes. Tentative events planned for San Diego include a student educational track, PhD Networking Breakfast, Audiology Unplugged, and Student Academy Central. These and other activities will be supported with the funding from the AAAF and Starkey.
Virginia Best, president of the SAA Board, was pleased to learn that the AAAF is working with Starkey to provide support for student initiatives. "The SAA is truly excited to hear the news about this funding," she shared. "Many students (and others) are hard at work in preparation for AudiologyNOW! 2010 and this support will ensure quality experiences for students at this educational event. On behalf of all audiology students who plan to travel to San Diego in April, I extend an enormous thank you to our friends and supporters at Starkey and the AAAF."
About the American Academy of Audiology Foundation
The American Academy of Audiology Foundation's (AAAF) mission is to raise funds and support for programs of excellence in 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 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 to the AAAF are tax deductible as allowed by law. For more information, visit the AAAF Web site at www.audiologyfoundation.org.
