Honors and Awards

 What do the OAA Awards mean to members?

"When I set out several years ago as a sole practitioner in private practice I also took an opportunity to become more involved in the Ohio Academy of Audiology. While I was hesitant to add more to a full plate (like us all), I am so glad I did.  Over the years, I have formed many amazing relationships through OAA with brilliant and passionate audiologists who I have learned from and gained insight/motivation to do more and be more than I could have alone.  To have been further nominated by one of my dear colleagues and ultimately chosen as one of OAA’s Outstanding Young Audiologists is truly an honor that goes beyond measure.  I hold the award close to my heart as it reminds me that we each make an impact every day by serving our communities and profession.  I am grateful."

- Clint Keifer, Au.D., Outstanding Young Audiologist Recipient 2017

OAA Awards

The OAA Awards were created in 2007 in order to recognize deserving individuals each year who have made significant contributions to our profession and the Ohio Academy. The OAA Awards have been moved to a biennial schedule to coincide with the OAC. Awardees are nominated by the OAA membership and selected by the Awards Committee. Awards are given in the following categories:

Honors of the Academy: 

Recognizes a member who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession of audiology and to the Ohio Academy in one or more of the following areas:

  • Development of a program, test procedure, or protocol

  • Teaching or mentoring

  • Advocacy or public relations efforts

  • Publication of research

  • Delivery or adminstration of patient care

Past Winners:

  • 2007 Helene Levenfus, Au.D.

  • 2008 Erin Miller, Au.D.

  • 2009 Jane Kukula, Au.D.

  • 2010 Karen Mitchell, Au.D.

  • 2011 Susan LaChance, Au.D.

  • 2013 Sharon Lesner, Ph.D.

  • 2015 Gail Whitelaw, Ph.D.

  • 2018 Christina Roup, Ph.D.

      • 2023 Holle Aungst, Au.D.

Clinical Excellence Award: 

Recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to the audiology profession in the area of clinical practice. The recipient shall have made notable contributions in one or more of the following areas:

  • Direct patient care

  • Development of clinical pathway or protocol for specific patient population

  • Publication or research relating to clinical practice

Past Winners:

  • 2007 Paula Webster, M.A.

  • 2008 Gail Whitelaw, Ph.D.

  • 2009 Richard Reikowski, Au.D.

  • 2010 Ann Cola-Schuh, Au.D.

  • 2011 Kristina English, Ph.D.

  • 2018 Amy Custer, Au.D.

Research Award:

Recognizes an individual who has performed and published basic or applied research which furthers the science of audiology.

Past Winners

  • 2007 Craig Newman, Ph.D.

  • 2008 Sharon Sandridge, Ph.D.

  • 2009 Christina Roup, Ph.D.

  • 2010 Lisa Hunter, Ph.D.

  • 2011 Carol Flexer, Ph.D.

  • 2013 Eric Bielefeld, Ph.D.

  • 2021 Brian Earl, Ph.D.2023 Ursula Findlen, Ph.D.

Outstanding Young Audiologist Award: 

Recognizes an individual who has been practicing in the field of audiology for less than ten years who has made outstanding contributions to the profession. The recipient shall have made notable contributions in one or more of the following areas:

  • Outstanding clinical practice and/or patient care

  • Teaching or mentoring

  • Advocacy

  • Research

  • Exceptional service to the profession of audiology

Past Winners:

  • 2015 Audra Woods, Au.D.

  • 2017 Clint Keifer, Au.D.

  • 2017 Jodi Baxter, Au.D.

  • 2018 Jennifer Bournique, Au.D.2021 Kristine Sonstrom Malowski, Au.D., Ph.D.

  • 2023 Lea Santiago, Au.D.

Outstanding Student Award: 

Recognizes a doctoral-level student (Au.D. or Ph.D.) of exceptional distinction who is currently enrolled in a university in the state of Ohio in the area of Audiology or related to Audiology. The recipient shall have made outstanding achievements in one or more of the following areas:

  • Outstanding clinical achievement and/or patient care

  • Scholastic achievement at the highest level

  • Outstanding contributions beyond degree or department requirements

  • Exceptional service to the profession of audiology

Past Winners:

  • 2021 Allison Giordno, Ohio University

  • 2012 Kelly Holand, NOAC

  • 2013 Dora Murphy-Courter, University of Cincinnati

  • 2017 Brittney Carter, Ohio State University

  • 2017 Sydney Reiman, University of Cincinnati

  • 2018 Molly Smeal, NOAC

  • 2018 Chelsea Blankenship, University of Cincinnati

  • 2023 Josephine Fernandez, University of Cincinnati