Acknowledging Those Who Have Contributed Significantly to Our Profession: The Academy Honors

Laughs, tears, and crystal cochleas only begin to describe the banquet to tribute the American Academy of Audiology’s (Academy) Honors and Awards recipients. Every year the Academy honors a handful of leaders for their significant contributions to the areas of hearing and balance. These award winners were nominated by members of the Academy because they have demonstrated a high level of productivity, shown selfless dedication to the field, and contributed significantly in the areas science, industry, or clinical practice.

Currently there are nine Academy Honors which cover various aspects of the profession. First is the Jerger Career Award for Research in Audiology. This award honors an individual who has significantly contributed to the growing body of research in auditory or vestibular sciences. A new award category for 2018 is the Clinical Excellence in Audiology Award which honors an individual who has shown excellence in providing care and improving quality of life for patients. The Marion Downs Award for Excellence in Pediatric Audiology recognizes an individual who has significantly contributed to pediatric audiology as a clinician, scientist, or educator. The Samuel F. Lybarger Award for Achievements in Industry is awarded to an individual in industry who has made a significant contribution in the realm of research or engineering. The International Award for Hearing reminds us that there are many audiologists or scientists from around the world that contribute to the field. This honor is given to someone who has made significant contributions but resides outside of the United States. Faculty are responsible for training the next generation of clinicians and scientists. The Outstanding Educator Award is given to a faculty member who has shown a commitment to teaching. Next is the Humanitarian Award which is bestowed upon someone who has shown commitment to serving those less fortunate in under-served communities. Another award that was new in 2018 is the Outstanding Early-Career Audiologist Award. This award is given to someone who has demonstrated a high level of contributions while having only been in the field less than ten years. And finally, the Honors of the Academy is an award given to an audiologist and/or non-audiologist who has demonstrated a commitment to the field by focusing on issues that directly affect the profession and/or patients with hearing or vestibular disorders.

The Honors Committee solely relies on nominations from the membership, and, unfortunately in many years some categories go without a single nomination. As an Academy member, this is an opportunity to acknowledge a worthy colleague, co-worker, or mentor for any of the nine awards. The nomination process is simple: the nominator submits a package including a letter that attests to how the nominee meets (exceeds) the criteria of the award and a curriculum vitae or resume. Descriptions, policies, and information about nomination packets can be found on the Academy’s website (https://www.audiology.org/about-us/academy-information/academy-honors). Once the applications have been received, the Academy Honors Committee compiles the applications, scores each application and votes. The committee is composed of national and international hearing professionals from many different specialty areas in the field of audiology.

Award recipients share their joy with family, friends, and colleagues during the Academy Honors and Awards Banquet. The banquet is a celebration for those that have worked so hard and for those that nominated them. The speeches are often filled with laughs, tears, gratitude and inspiration. In 2019, the banquet will be held during the AAA Conference at the meeting venue in Columbus, Ohio on March 28^th, 2019.

Finally, reading all the nomination applications reveals how many dedicated and talented colleagues that we have in our profession. Our colleagues are brilliant scientists, compassionate clinicians, new professionals making a name early in their career, and industry professionals who all dedicate their careers to making an impact in the field of audiology. Listed below are the most recent honorees, but an inclusive list of all past award winners are listed on the Academy website.

The 2018 Academy Honorees are:

David A. Zapala, PhD — Honors of the Academy

Laurie S. Eisenberg, PhD — Jerger Career Award for Research in Audiology

Nora Stewart, MA — Humanitarian Award

Ora Büerkli-Halvey — Samuel F. Lybarger Award for Achievements in Industry

Jennifer E. Weber, AuD — Outstanding Educator Award

Jamie M. Bogle, AuD, PhD — Outstanding Early-Career Audiologist Award

Susan Scollie, PhD — Marion Downs Award for Excellence in Pediatric Audiology

More information can be found at: https://www.audiology.org/about-us/academy-information/academy-honors

Patricia Gaffney, Au.D.

Chair, Academy Honors Committee

Devin L. McCaslin, Ph.D.

Deputy Editor, Journal of the

American Academy of Audiology

Academy Honors Committee Member