Audiology Alumna of the Year 2020: Kathryn Dowd, AuD ‘08

Kathryn Dowd, AuD ‘08, has dedicated decades of service to audiology, promoting the awareness of chronic and infectious diseases and ototoxic medication, and the impact on hearing loss among patients, diabetes educators, and audiologists nationally.

Over the past 46 years, her varied background included audiology positions in school systems and state education levels, as well as a private practice in ENT offices, skilled nursing facilities, and proprietary clinics. She owned private practices for 28 years, managing all aspects of business development including patient care, marketing, human resources, and business growth. Dr. Dowd works to erase impediments in improving access to hearing healthcare both on a state and national level.

“Dr. Dowd has been the prime mover for our profession to have audiology recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with the diabetes initiative,” wrote Robert DiSogra, AuD ’03, in his nomination for the Alumni Association’s Audiology Alumna of the Year Award back in 2020.

Along with the establishment of The Audiology Project in 2016, Dr. DiSogra noted her development of an international diabetes education network for audiologists as well as her efforts with the American Diabetes Certified Education Specialist (ADCES) as a testament to Dr. Dowd’s continued advocacy in the profession.

“Dr. Dowd’s work is ongoing and soon the CDC will give final approval on audiologists being listed as professionals who patients with diabetes should have a relationship,” he said.

This award is presented to an alumnus of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry’s School of Audiology or Salus University’s Osborne College of Audiology (OCA) who has distinguished himself/herself through extraordinary service and contributions to the profession of audiology, bringing honor and prestige to the institution.

Dr. Dowd and The Audiology Project are thankful to Salus University for hosting the Diabetes Summit Conference in September 2016 to begin the process of interprofessional education and collaboration with audiology, optometry, and the CDC. This year, the CDC recently selected The Audiology Project to be a founding member of the CDC initiative for Diabetes Translational Services, which was organized in 2024.