2022-2023 Board of Directors

Board of Director terms run from August 2022 to August 2023


President: Blythe Kitner, Au.D. 

Prior to audiology, Blythe Kitner worked in basic science research for 18 years and then decided to go back to school. She graduated from Rush in 2009 and since that time worked in a hospital,  a private neurology practice and now at Northern Illinois University. As a clinical assistant professor at NIU, Blythe teaches both academically and clinically, runs the externship program, completes research along with doing outreach. Dr. Blythe Kitner has been a member of ILAA since 2005 and has held numerous positions within the organization. The president can be reached at [email protected]

 

Megan Worthington AuDPast- President: Megan Worthington, Au.D. 

Megan Worthington, AuD, is an audiologist and the manager of clinical education for the audiology academic program. Prior to becoming the clinical education manager, she was a clinical audiologist specializing in pediatric audiology and cochlear implants. She graduated from Rush University with her AuD in 2008 and has served as an adjunct instructor at Rush teaching the pediatric amplification and habilitation course and the supervision seminar. Her previous adjunct appointments include Northwestern University, Saint Xavier University and the Hebrew Theological College. She has served as a clinical preceptor for audiology students, teaching them both in the clinic and the classroom.

 

President-Elect: Joshua Sevier, Au.D. 

Joshua Sevier, AuD is an audiologist and Clinical Program Manager for the pediatric hearing loss program at University of Chicago Medicine. He carries experience as a member and officer of previous organizations, including Vice President of Advocacy for the Nebraska Speech-Language Hearing Association and Government Relations committee member for the American Academy of Audiology. He has published peer-reviewed articles in Audiology journals and his previous employments includes the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Boys Town National Research Hospital.

Vice President of Education: Emily Trittschuh, Au.D.

Emily Trittschuh, Au.D. is a pediatric audiologist at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Dr. Trittschuh graduated with her Doctor of Audiology degree from Rush University and completed her fourth year externship at Boston Children's Hospital. Her clinical interests include amplification, CAPD, electrophysiology and cochlear implants. She is an Illinois native and loves living in the city. In her free time she enjoys running and spending time with her dog, Sydney. The VP of Education can be reached at [email protected]

 

Vice President of Membership: Megan Corrigan, Au.D.

Megan Corrigan is a clinical Audiologist at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. Prior to working at NM, she worked with pediatric and adult patient populations at an ENT office in the suburbs of Chicago. She received her Doctorate in Audiology at Rush University, and completed her 4th year externship at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee. Her clinical interests include amplification, diagnostic evaluations, electrophysiology, vestibular assessments, ototoxicity monitoring, and tinnitus management. The VP of Membership can be reached at [email protected]

Vice President of Communication & Marketing: Lauren Kelly, Au.D.

Lauren Kelly, AuD received her Doctorate in Audiology from Northwestern University and her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Prior to joining Hearing Professionals of Illinois in 2019 and during her clinical training, Lauren gained experience working with patients at various hospitals in the area including Lake Forest Hospital, Lurie Children's Hospital, Jesse Brown VA and Northwestern Memorial. She also serves as an adjunct lecturer at Northwestern University.

Vice President of Government Affairs: Kim Cavitt, Au.D.

Kim Cavitt, AuD was a clinical audiologist and preceptor at The Ohio State University and Northwestern University. Since 2001, Dr. Cavitt has operated her own Audiology consulting firm, Audiology Resources, Inc. Audiology Resources, Inc. provides comprehensive operational, compliance and reimbursement consulting services to hearing healthcare providers. She is a Past President of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA), serves as the Chair of the State of Illinois Speech Pathology and Audiology Licensure Board, serves on the Audiology Quality Consortium and serves on committees through ADA and ASHA. Dr. Cavitt is also Adjunct Lecturer at Northwestern University. The VP of Government Affairs can be reached at [email protected]

Secretary: Emily Dudley, Au.D.

Emily Dudley grew up in Bend, Oregon. Emily earned her undergraduate degree from Portland State University in Speech and Hearing sciences, and is a graduate of Pacific University’s accelerated Doctor of Audiology (AuD) program class of 2019. Dr. Dudley is passionate about personalized, patient centered hearing health care. Emily spent her externship year working at a non-profit speech and hearing clinic in Portland, Maine. Emily Dudley currently works at Chicago Hearing Services, and is passionate about private practice and providing service in nursing homes/retirement communities.

 

Michael Blackburn AuDTreasurer: Michael Blackburn, Au.D.

Michael Blackburn, AuD is a Senior Software Manager at Sonova, USA in Aurora, IL since 2020 and an Adjunct Lecturer at Northwestern University. At Sonova he leads software solutions used by audiologists and patients with hearing loss. He has previously held positions as a clinical audiologist at the St. Cloud Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minnesota and the OSF Illinois Neurological Institute in Peoria, IL. Dr. Blackburn is a graduate of the Northwestern University AuD program and completed his externship at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago, IL. The treasurer can be reached at [email protected]

 

Member-At-Large: Sara Bachinski, Au.D.

Sara Bachinski, Au.D. is a clinical audiologist at both MacNeal Hospital and Shriners Children's Hospital.  She earned her Doctorate of Audiology from A.T. Still University.  She serves as the Newborn Hearing Screening Coordinator and the IDPH liaison at MacNeal Hospital.  At Shriners Children's, she serves on the Craniofacial and Cleft Lip and Palate team.  Her clinical interests include diagnostic testing, tinnitus, vestibular assessments, amplification, electrophysiology, osseointegrated devices, and is passionate about clinical precepting for audiology students.  She is adjunct faculty at Northwestern University and has previously volunteered on the Public Awareness Committee of the American Academy of Audiology.

Member-At-Large: Lucia Menozi, Au.D.

Lucia Menozi, Au.D. is a graduate of East Tennessee State University where she earned her Doctorate of Audiology Degree in 2020.  Among other clinical rotations Lucia was selected for competitive placements at the VA medical center, and a large ENT group during her time in Tennessee. Lucia’s research on cognitive systems and listening effort won first place in its category at the Appalachian Student Research Forum.  Listening effort remains an aspect of audiology and the patient experience Lucia is very interested in. Dr. Menozi then went on to complete her externship year at the University of Chicago Hospital. Lucia’s clinical interests include amplification and aural rehabilitation.  Lucia’s goal is to develop an understanding of each patient’s hearing needs to find the best treatment option. A collaborative and individualized approach to improving her patients’ quality of life is what Lucia takes pride in.

 

Member-At-Large: Melanie Samuels, Au.D.

Melanie received her Doctorate of Audiology from Northwestern University and her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She currently works for Hearing Professionals of Illinois, a multi-practice ENT group in the Northwest Suburbs. During her graduate studies and clinical training, Melanie gained pediatric and adult diagnostic and rehabilitative experiences through placements at Chicagoland area hospitals, ENT practices, and hearing aid manufacturers. Prior to joining Hearing Professionals in 2021, Melanie worked at a multidisciplinary medical group in the Western suburbs.