Marissa Gallan

About Marissa

Marissa Gallan attends the MGH Institute of Health Professions to complete her AuD in May 2026.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Marissa found her way to Audiology while observing her mother who is an SLP. Although Marissa did not want to become an SLP herself, the sessions of aural rehabilitation she observed for students with hearing aids and cochlear implants drove her to the field of audiology. Since beginning her undergraduate studies, Marissa has participated in several research opportunities, including two independent projects with the most recent focusing on audiology awareness among other healthcare providers. Marissa’s passion lies in interprofessional education and sharing the importance of integrating audiology into a holistic health approach. 

 Marissa serves as the current Education Committee Chair for the National SAA Board of Directors. She also founded the MGH Institute of Health Professions’ local SAA chapter and served as the President for two years. Marissa was awarded the “Outstanding Leadership” award through her institution. This year, Marissa’s goals include continuing to educate students, health professionals, and others alike about the importance of audiology services and early detection of hearing loss. She looks forward to working with all SAA members and audiology students to foster communication and advocacy skills.

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

The limited public awareness and underutilization of audiologic services are significant challenges within this profession; I have become deeply committed to driving change in this area. Despite the critical role hearing plays in communication and quality of life, many individuals—including other healthcare providers— remain unaware of the importance of hearing health or face barriers to accessing care, such as financial constraints, stigma, or lack of knowledge about available services and how to access them. To address this, I have begun a mentored research project exploring allied healthcare providers’ knowledge of hearing loss and the impact this has on patient-provider interactions and patient help-seeking behaviors, as well as whether training modules are effective ways to increase general knowledge surrounding hearing loss. To further address this area, I would continue to focus on expanding outreach and education efforts within local communities and through SAA’s national advocacy campaigns. I would advocate for stronger integration of audiology services into primary healthcare settings and interprofessional education to ensure hearing screenings and referrals become a part of routine healthcare. Increasing public awareness and accessibility of services and general knowledge of hearing loss is not only essential for the growth of the profession, but also to improve patient-provider interactions and patient healthcare satisfaction overall.

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

I live every aspect of my life based on integrity and empathy; I also believe in leading by example. I would apply these traits to a national leadership position as they are essential for leading by example, fostering trust, and creating an inclusive, supportive environment. I believe being transparent, honest, and accountable in all my intentions builds trust within teams and conveys the message that decisions are made in the best interest of all team members. Whether it’s communicating openly with fellow board members or being clear with chapter members about expectations and goals, I hold myself to high ethical standards to lead by example. In a national leadership position, I would use integrity to ensure that the organization’s mission is carried out with honesty and that all members feel confident in every initiative. Empathy is another crucial trait that shapes my approach to life and leadership. I deeply value understanding the perspectives, experiences, and challenges of others. This allows me to lead with compassion and provide support where it’s needed most. I also bring a lightheartedness and humor to leadership— qualities that can sometimes get lost in the midst of fulfilling responsibilities. In a national leadership role, I would continue to apply empathy to ensure all members feel supported and their diverse needs are met. As a leader, I also feel it is important to make others aware of the importance of these traits. Together, integrity and empathy will allow me to lead by example with authenticity.