Phonak Gift Underwrites Annual AudiologyNOW! Lectureship
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Richard Danielson, Chair of the American Academy of Audiology Foundation Board of Trustees, recently announced that Phonak Hearing Systems has made a generous gift that will support a new lectureship series at AudiologyNOW! The grant of $67,500 will fund an annual educational program on management and business practices that result in improve audiologic care for patients of all ages. In making this announcement, Danielson explained that the idea had germinated following the Audiology and Industry Forum in 2010. “During the meeting, many participants were vocal about the growing need for profession-wide education in business skills as a complement to audiologists’ clinical, technical and scientific skills,” he stated. “Since the Foundation funds offerings at convention as part of its educational mission, the next step was to explore funding and implementation of a new multiyear lectureship program. Last fall, Mike Orscheln, Phonak’s president and CEO, and Dianne Meyer, then-chair of the Foundation board, began discussion about a possible industry partnership…and the rest, as they say, is history! On behalf of the Foundation board, I extend great appreciation to both of them for their leadership on this project. And of course, the Foundation thanks Phonak for the generous gift that will allow us to move forward with the lectureship at AudiologyNOW! next spring in Boston.” |
This annual presentation, Improving Care through Innovation in Audiology Workplace Management, will focus on practical skills for audiologists in a variety of practice settings who strive to improve audiology treatment delivery. Some topics under consideration include the development and implementation of interpersonal and business practices that engage patients resulting in interaction that improve diagnosis and care, and how principles of patient psychology can be incorporated into different healthcare delivery models. These topics may be discussed within the context of finance, human resources, time management, quality control, marketing and other management concepts. In brief, the ultimate goal is providing audiologists with additional skills that ensure that those with hearing-impairment receive the highest level of hearing health care and that audiologists are better equipped to provide that care. Commenting on the announcement, Orscheln said, “Phonak is very excited to be engaged with the AAA Foundation to launch this dynamic lectureship. I am proud of the collaborative approach we took with Dianne Meyer and Kathleen Devlin Culver of the Foundation to bring this to fruition.” AAAF welcomes professional development proposals from experts, both inside and outside of the hearing healthcare industry, that address these topics in quality patient care and workplace management. An RFP is now available; click here for additional information. Proposals and supporting materials must be received by October 10, 2011; notification will be made by November 30, 2011. And again, the Foundation extends thanks and appreciation to the Phonak team for their support of this important educational opportunity. |
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