Abigale Millerbernd

About Abigale

Abigale Millerbernd is a third-year AuD student at Nova Southeastern University in sunny Davie, Florida, an easy upgrade from the frigid town of Stacy, Minnesota, where she grew up. She earned her bachelor’s degree in American Sign Language, fueling her passion for communication and accessibility. For her fourth-year externship, Abigale will be heading to New York City to work at Montefiore Medical Center.

Abigale fell in love with SAA on day one of graduate school and has been all in ever since. She has served her local chapter as a Member-at-Large, Vice President, and is currently the Social Chair. At the state level, she represents Florida as a State Ambassador, and nationally, she has been part of SAA’s Communications Committee, creating funny Instagram jokes and engaging social media content for the past few years.

When she isn’t swimming in SAA responsibilities, Abigale enjoys reading (preferably on the beach), staying active, and spending quality time with her cat, Princess Nala Baby Cat Cochlea.

If you could change one thing about the profession of audiology, what would it be?

If I could change one thing about the profession of audiology, it would be reducing the expectation that audiologists have to act as salespeople. While technology is an important part of what we do, the pressure to sell hearing aids can sometimes overshadow the clinical, patient-centered nature of our work. Many of us enter this profession because we want to help people communicate and improve their quality of life, not because we want to focus on sales metrics. I would love to see a model where clinical care is separated from retail pressure so audiologists can focus fully on diagnostics, counseling, and individualized treatment plans without feeling conflicted. I would also want to improve equity and access to hearing care. It’s difficult to see patients who desperately need hearing aids but cannot afford them, or who face insurance barriers that make treatment inaccessible. I wish there were more equality across hearing aid access so that anyone who needs amplification, regardless of income, insurance status, or background, could receive it. Improving affordability, expanding coverage, and increasing community programs could help ensure that our profession truly serves everyone who needs care.

What unique traits or skills will you bring to a leadership position with the national SAA?

One unique trait I would bring to a leadership position with the national SAA is my ability to connect with people easily. I’m comfortable starting conversations, listening to others’ perspectives, and creating an environment where people feel included and valued. This helps build strong relationships, encourages collaboration, and ensures that everyone feels heard—qualities that are essential when working with students from programs across the country. In addition to being personable, I’m approachable, organized, and dependable. I communicate clearly, whether I’m explaining tasks, gathering feedback, or representing student needs. I’m also adaptable and able to stay calm when managing multiple responsibilities, which helps me support others effectively. Together, these skills allow me to contribute positively to a team, help unify diverse voices, and serve as an effective representative for the national SAA.