 AAAF News
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Starkey Gift to the American Academy of Audiology Foundation (AAAF)
The American Academy of Audiology Foundation (AAAF) has announced that Starkey Laboratories, Inc. will make a gift of $40,000 to provide philanthropic funding for Student Academy of Audiology (SAA) educational programs and networking activities at AudiologyNOW!® 2010 in San Diego.
Dianne Meyer, PhD, Chair of the American Academy of Audiology Foundation (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 have been a priority for Starkey for many years. We are so pleased to partner with the AAA Foundation 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 SAA Central. These and other activities will be supported with the funding from the AAAF and Starkey.
Virginia Best, SAA Board President, 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 AAA Foundation.”
Dr. Jerry Northern, Director of Professional Services at Starkey Laboratories Inc., speaks with students at AudiologyNOW! 2009
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