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For Elizabeth Labib-Zuniga, AuD ‘23, a deep sense of duty and overall reverence for the United States Armed Forces paved the way for her to join the United States Air Force (USAF). As the daughter of immigrants, she has experienced the openness and freedom of the U.S., which led her to enlist.
The USAF has in turn recognized that commitment and dedication by recently selecting Dr. Labib-Zuniga as an officer in the rank of captain and active-duty audiologist with the USAF in the Biomedical Service Corps. The position involves an extensive application process and is a competitive position as the Air Force is the more clinical branch for an audiologist, according to Dr. Labib-Zuniga, and has a variety of clinical opportunities depending on the services provided at the base clinic/hospital.
Before being selected for the position, Dr. Labib-Zuniga established a vestibular protocol and program during her employment as the lead vestibular audiologist at the Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) Balance Center within the Lehigh Valley Physician Group (LVPG).
“This was a challenging and daunting task to navigate independently with advanced vestibular equipment oversight and new team members,” she said. “I took the initiative and leadership in the department to create a successful comprehensive vestibular assessment and management protocol that provides a clinical test battery with functional utility, superior patient outcomes, and overall fluid workflow within the neurotology team and department.”
She will start her position with the USAF at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center in San Antonio, after completing eight and a half weeks of Officer Training School this summer.
“As an officer and audiologist, I hope to provide the best leadership, empowerment, and vision within my new role. I am a big believer in looking after those that I lead and taking care of those around me,” said Dr. Labib-Zuniga.
Originally from Northern California near San Francisco, Dr. Labib-Zuniga earned her undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Biola University in Los Angeles. After working for a year and a half as an assistant at an audiology clinic, she was accepted into the Osborne Audiology Doctor of Audiology program.
“In undergrad, I had the opportunity to observe an audiologist in a medical setting at a hospital,” said Dr. Labib-Zuniga. “Seeing how both the diagnostic evaluation and the counseling afterward allowed the patient to find the resources they needed to either overcome their hearing or balance disorders, that was kind of a lightbulb moment and it was something that I could see myself pursuing.”
While at Salus, she was past vice president and president of the Student Academy of Audiology (SAA) chapter and was able to plan, implement, and coordinate several hearing screenings in the Philadelphia area. Within her leadership role as a Doctor of Audiology student, she organized Walk for Hearing events to raise awareness regarding hearing conservation and provided hearing screenings.
“That role has taught me how to lead and equip a group of individuals to become aspiring audiologists,” said Dr. Labib-Zuniga. “It also allowed me to give back and serve the surrounding community through service projects for those who do not have access to hearing healthcare.”
Her first contract with the USAF is for three years, after which she can choose to renew. Her goals include serving within her role as an officer in the fullest capacity to impart a positive impact on those that she leads, and utilizing her clinical skills and expertise as an audiologist to better serve the readiness and healthcare needs of the Air Force.
When she has time to herself, Dr. Labib-Zuniga likes to spend time with her husband Max and daughter Norah, who recently celebrated her first birthday. She also loves to go on runs, do weight training, and read books about personal development and military history.
“I love being an audiologist but I also want the opportunity to lead and empower those that I lead,” she said. “That’s also why I decided to become an officer and I’m very grateful that I was selected for the position. It’s a competitive position, so to be selected and have the opportunity, it’s very rare.”
