ILAA Honors and Awards
The Illinois Academy of Audiology is pleased to announce that it is now accepting nominations for awards for outstanding service, advocacy, or achievements.
Honors of the Academy
This is the Academy’s highest award, which recognizes individuals who have shown outstanding commitment to the field of audiology and unfailing support of the Illinois Academy of Audiology. Previous recipients are James Lankford, Gail Gudmundsen, David Hill, Marci Evans, Paul Pessis, Karen Glay, Barbara Murphy, Steven Wolinsky, Thomas Thunder, Mary Cay Chisholm, Kathleen Campbell, and Alan Freint. Deborah Pitcher received the Honors of the Academy award in 2013. When submitting a nomination, please include a brief summary of the nominee’s background and work/professional history as well as significant contributions. Confidentiality regarding this award is customary.
Natalie Stukas Hearing Conservation Award
This award acknowledges outstanding achievement in clinical practice, consumer education, research, or product development in the area of hearing conservation. The award was established in 2004 in the memory of Natalie Stukas, a founding member of the Illinois Academy of Audiology, who dedicated her professional life to the identification and prevention of hearing loss in the work place. Previous recipients are Sue Zurales, Michael Santucci, Tom Thunder, Carolynn Travis, Mead Killion, James Lankford, Deanna Meinke, and Brian Fligor. Brandon Estes received the Natalie Stukas Hearing Conservation Award in 2013. When submitting a nomination, please provide a brief description of the nominee’s contribution to the prevention of hearing loss, and background of the individual or company. Nominations are open to students, professionals, practitioners, researchers, and commercial or not-for-profit entities. Self-nominations are welcome. Confidentiality is not required.
George Osborne Outstanding Clinical Educator Award
This award recognizes an ILAA member who has made an exceptional contribution to the clinical education of audiology students, serving as an off-campus preceptor for an audiology academic program in Illinois. This award was named in 2007 for George S. Osborne, Ph.D. who was a passionate advocate for audiology education, mentoring, and the establishment of the Au.D. degree. Nominees must have served as a preceptor for more than one student during the past five years, or have recently developed an exceptional new clinical education opportunity for audiology students. Previous recipients are Michael Hefferly, Denis Moore, Madonna Stoioff, Michael Brown, Becky Braun, Jeanne Perkins, Colleen Armgardt, Megan Bradshaw, Pamela Fiebig, and Regina Dziewior. Submit two letters of recommendation, one from the preceptor’s current or former student, and one from an individual at an Illinois audiology program. Include the nominee’s curriculum vita. A preceptor may be nominated by a current or former student or by a colleague. Confidentiality is optional.
Legislator Recognitions
Special recognitions are given to legislators who have supported issues related to the interests of the profession of audiology and the patients we serve. Previous recipients have been State Senator Bradley Burzynski, State Representative Julie Hamos, State Senator Wendell Jones, State Senator Edward Maloney, and State Representative Angelo “Skip” Saviano. Nominations are welcome from all ILAA members. Please submit a description of the individual that deserves this special recognition.
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Special Recognitions
Special recognitions are given to ILAA members, community leaders, business persons, journalists, and other supporters of audiology or the Academy’s mission and goals. Previous recipients are Danica Billingsly, Sumitrajt Dhar, Etymotic Research, Marci Evans, Dana Helmink, Cathy Jones, Marty Keenan, Marc Lichtman, Barbara Murphy, Paul Pessis, Phonak, Gail Tanner, Thomas Thunder, Christine Ulinski, and Howard Wolinsky. Ginger Mullin received the Special Recognition award in 2013. Nominations are welcome from all ILAA members. Please submit a description of the individual or company that deserves this special recognition.
Marie Vetter and Etymotic Research received the 2013 President's Award.
Please direct nominations or any questions or comments about the ILAA Honors and Awards by email to
awards@ilaudiology.org or by mail to:
Honors and Awards Committee
Illinois Academy of Audiology
5315 N Clark Street, Unit 183
Chicago, IL, 60640
Outstanding Audiological Services Award
In addition to the ILAA awards, the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) provides an Outstanding Audiological Services Award. This DRS honor is awarded to an audiologist who has provided timely service and outstanding DRS customer satisfaction and outcomes. Previous recipients are Lisa Steinwart, David Groesch, Linda Burba, Robert Lindberg, Christine Troxell, Keri Maas, Deborah Pitcher, David Powell, and Robert Moss. Gloria Wong received the DRS award for 2013. Further information on this award can be obtained from DRS.
Outstanding Student Presenter Award
Each year ILAA selects a doctoral student presenter whose presentation at the annual convention is particularly outstanding. Previous winners are Renee Banakis (NU), Darrin Worthington (NU), Emily Nightingale (Rush), Douglas Steinberg (Rush), Theresa Blank (NIU), Kathleen Dunckley (NU), Stephanie Pesa (Rush), Alexandra Parbery-Clark (NU), Robert Risley (Rush), and Kristine Trester (Rush). Namita Gehani received the Outstanding Student Presenter award in 2013. Information about student presentations are provided each year during the convention planning stages by the VPs of Education.
