Centennial
Why did you choose your particular profession?
I chose audiology because I felt a true sense of calling. My husband and his identical twin were born eleven weeks prematurely and his twin brother is deaf. I was amazed when I met his brother that he was deaf yet he could speak. I used to ask my future mother-in-law about his speech therapy and how he was taught to speak. I think she grew tired of my questions because she finally said, "Since you are so interested in all of this, maybe you should major in it. Maybe you should be a speech therapist or teacher of the deaf or something." So I decided that is precisely what I would do. I discovered audiology while taking an undergraduate course in communications disorders.
Tell me about your time at Salus/PCO. Why did you choose to study there?
I was recruited by George Osborne, PhD, DDS, founding dean of PCO School of Audiology to be in the Doctor of Audiology program. The distance learning program was perfect for me because it was 100 percent online which made it 100 percent easy for me as busy professional with a family.
What are some of your favorite memories from Salus/PCO – favorite classes, professors, classmates, clinical experiences, co-workers?
Dr. Osborne became a true mentor in the profession to me. He was a visionary leader...a true luminary in our profession. When he discovered that I had a love for professional ethics he invited me to become an instructor for the distance learning program. He taught me how to transcend the online medium and become an engaged and interactive online instructor. The memories I have with the valuable lessons that Dr. Osborne taught me have shaped the professional I am today.
Tell me about your life after Salus/PCO – where do/did you practice, how long?
I lead the audiology program at University Hospital in Augusta, Ga. I am also an associate professor of Ethics and Leadership at A.T. Still University in Mesa, Ariz., where I designed and teach an Ethics and Leadership course for their brand new distance AuD program for international audiologists that began in July 2018. I have taught Ethics online to doctoral students for sixteen years thanks to Dr. Osborne recognizing my interest in teaching Ethics online. He made the decision, after I had taught a few sessions that the ethics course would be required of all AuD students. I have been in the profession for thirty one years.
As Salus/PCO celebrates 100 years in 2019, what are your hopes for the college in the next 100 years?
My hope is that Salus/PCO's Audiology Program will continue with the same vision, passion and dedication to seeing future Doctors of Audiology trained with excellence as it did when it began under Dr. Osborne's leadership.
