Why are you interested in joining the national SAA Board of Directors?
I’m really excited about the chance to join the national SAA Board of Directors because I see it as an amazing opportunity to grow as a leader while making a meaningful impact on the future of audiology students. Throughout my journey in audiology, I’ve realized how important it is to have a strong, supportive community around you, one that provides not only education but also mentorship, networking, and resources to help students thrive. I want to be a part of that community and help build it in a way that truly supports and inspires my peers. What excites me most about joining the board is the chance to collaborate with like-minded people who are passionate about advancing the field and advocating for students. I want to bring fresh ideas and energy to the table while also learning from the experiences of others on the board. Ultimately, I want to contribute to a vibrant student-driven initiative that will not only benefit my peers but also pave the way for future generations of audiologists. Being on the board feels like a unique opportunity to help make a difference and grow, both as a student and a professional.
If you could change one thing about the profession of audiology, what would it be?
If I could change one thing in audiology, it would be to make hearing-health care more integrated into primary care. Right now, hearing health is often treated as a specialized field that many people don’t think about until significant hearing loss occurs. As a result, hearing loss can go undiagnosed for years, leading to negative impacts on communication, mental health, and cognitive function. By making hearing screenings and audiology services a routine part within primary care settings, we could address hearing loss much earlier in its development. Primary care providers are already well-positioned to identify potential issues and refer patients for further testing or treatment from the frequency of visits, creating a more seamless process for individuals to access hearing-health care. This integration would also help reduce the stigma surrounding hearing loss. When hearing screenings become a standard part of routine health care, patients would be more likely to seek help. With better access to care, people would be able to manage their hearing health just as they do other aspects of their well-being, resulting in improved quality of life for individuals and greater overall public health outcomes.