Jonette B. Owen, AuD ‘03, MHA, FNAP, CH-A, had inadvertently overlooked a congratulatory email from the Pennsylvania Academy of Audiology (PAA), so it came as a complete surprise when she learned she had been named the Academy’s 2024 recipient of the George S. Osborne Award at its annual conference.
“I found out about the award at lunch immediately before the Academy business meeting as I read the agenda,” said Dr. Owen, Osborne Audiology associate dean for Clinical Education. “While the (PAA) board did not intend for it to be a surprise, I was honored to have been nominated and ecstatic to have been selected to receive this service award established in Dr. Osborne’s name.”
Dr. Osborne was a visionary and dedicated educator who founded the Audiology program at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) School of Audiology in 2000. The PAA award is given in honor of an individual who has dedicated service to the profession of audiology.
Dr. Owen studied under the leadership of Dr. Osborne during her time as a student at the PCO School of Audiology. As she listened to her accomplishments being listed out loud during the award presentation at the PAA banquet, Dr. Owen said she had a sense of Dr. Osborne’s presence and that he approved of her getting the award.
“It’s rewarding to be part of professional organizations that continue to work toward the ultimate dream of Dr. Osborne and many others who have paved the path before us,” said Dr. Owen. “He would be both happy and proud of the work that I've done and continue to do to advance the profession on a state and national level. He would be happy that an alumna of his program is actively involved in professional advancement. And, he would be proud that his program continues to support the faculty's active engagement in various professional organizations, all advancing the profession.”
