Alpaca Audiology, a group purchasing organization in Springfield, Mo, has issued a call for applications for its second annual Alpaca Audiology Student Scholarship awarded to a student currently enrolled in an accredited doctoral level audiology program in the United States. The scholarship is intended to help support the winning student’s educational needs during the year following their win. Founded in 2013 by the Alpaca Audiology Founding Partners, the $10,000 scholarship award will be announced June 1 by Alpaca Audiology’s Board, according to the announcement.

“Not long ago, I remember being an audiology student, and my favorite aspect of being a student was being completely immersed in all realms of audiology,” said Brian Vesely, AuD, founding partner, Alpaca Audiology. “On a daily basis I was in clinic, conducting research, and also studying electrophysiology, pediatrics, and practice management.”

Vesely noted that being an AuD student also presents some unique stressors, many of which are financial in nature. In the announcement from Alpaca Audiology, Vesely explained that the purpose of establishing the Alpaca Audiology Scholarship was to help alleviate some of those financial stressors and allow the scholarship recipient to focus on the educational journey to becoming the best audiologist he or she can be. “The strongest way to ‘Amplify the Profession’ is to invest in the future!” Vesely concluded.

Alpaca Audiology board members include Tony Asay AuD, Bill Helms, MD, Jim Rippy, AuD and Brian Vesely, AuD. Alpaca Audiology reports that Phonak is among the donors that help support the scholarship fund each year.

According to Alpaca Audiology, the criteria considered for each scholarship applicant includes:

  • The applicant’s GPA
  • A 500-word essay describing how the applicant will amplify the profession of audiology.
  • Two (2) references; one of the references must be submitted by a practicing Doctor of Audiology, preferably an off-site clinical supervisor.

To complete the online application and submit references, applicants should visit the scholarship page on the Alpaca Audiology website. The deadline for all online applications is Friday, May 1, 2015.

Source: Alpaca Audiology