2023-2024 Board of Directors

Board of Director terms run from August 2023 to August 2024

President: 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. Contact the President.

 

Past- 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.

 

President- Elect: 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 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. Contact the VP of Education.

 

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. Contact the VP of Membership.

Vice President of Communication & Marketing: Erika Knox, Au.D.

Erika is a clinical audiologist at Rush University Medical Center. Her clinical interests include pediatrics, osseointegrated devices, cochlear implants, and collaborating with the Craniofacial and Cystic Fibrosis interdisciplinary clinics. In 2022, she received her Pediatric Audiology Specialty Certification (PASC). She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2018 and completed her fourth year externship at University of Illinois Hospital & Health Science Systems. Prior to returning to Chicago, she was a clinical audiologist at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in Florida.

 

Vice President of Government Affairs: Natalie McKee, Au.D.

Natalie M. McKee earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL and a Clinical Doctorate in Audiology (Au.D.) from Salus University. Growing up with congenital hearing loss influenced her decision to pursue the field of Audiology and she feels that this personal experience allows her to better understand and assist the patients she sees. Dr. McKee purchased Bloomington-Normal Audiology in 2012, after 7 years of understudy with the original owner, Dr. Deborah Pitcher. BNA was the first private practice audiology clinic in Bloomington-Normal when it began in 1990; building a reputation of providing state-of-the art technology in audiology to Central Illinois. Dr. McKee is honored to continue BNA’s esteemed reputation. Contact the VP of Government Affairs.

Secretary: Tracy Winn, Au.D.

Tracy Winn, Au.D. is a clinical audiologist on faculty at Northwestern University. She began her career at the Tampa Bay Hearing and Balance Center in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Winn worked at the Northwestern University Hearing Clinic in Chicago and then became the director of audiology at a north suburban ENT practice. She then went on to work for a major hearing aid manufacturer before returning to Northwestern University in the Evanston Audiology Clinic. Dr. Winn has a great deal of experience in diagnostic audiology, hearing aid fitting, and central auditory processing evaluation. She is licensed in the state of Illinois and certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Dr. Winn received a Doctorate of Audiology from A.T. Still University of Health Sciences. She earned her Master’s Degree in Audiology from Michigan State University, where she also received a Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunications. Outside of work, Dr. Winn enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering, participating in and organizing events at her church, and playing with her dog, Beatrix.

 

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. Contact the Treasurer.

 

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.