Sonic Innovations Inc Patrick Joseph “Gone Whistlin’ Pat” Murphy died suddenly and unexpectedly of cardiac arrest August 2, 2005. Murphy was born July 13, 1960, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, to Gabrielle Rinfret (deceased) and Thomas Murphy (deceased). He was a senior research audiologist at Sonic Innovations Inc, Salt Lake City, and was an accomplished saxophonist. All who knew and worked with him as an audiologist and a musician will miss his tuneful whistle and cheerful countenance. Murphy is survived by his wife, Cher (Honee) Murphy. A memorial service was held August 5, 2005 in Salt Lake City.

CareCredit
CareCredit, Costa Mesa, Calif, has hired Lori Lewis Cook as business development manager. She has experience in building and leading sales operations as well as client services and case management. Cook will play an instrumental role in meeting the growing needs of an existing customer base and directing new business development.

“We are excited to have Lori as part of the CareCredit team,” says Terry Silance, national sales manager/audiology. “She has a keen understanding of the business strategies needed to benefit customers and increase overall sales.”

Oticon
Oticon Inc, Somerset, NJ, has hired Douglas L. Beck, AuD, as director of professional relations for the company’s US operations. He will oversee services related to the Internet, Web sites, and e-communication, online professional and consumer education, and pediatric assessment, fitting, and evidence-based outcomes.

“As an audiologist and a communicator, Doug has worked with major national professional organizations, colleges, and universities, and has helped hearing aid manufacturers market their products to professional and consumer audiences,” says Oticon President Peer Lauritsen.

Beck brings more than 21 years of experience with him, including work in audiology research and clinical practice. He earned his master’s degree at the State University of New York, Buffalo, and his doctorate from the University of Florida, Gainesville.

Audiology Online
Paul Dybala, PhD, has been promoted to president and editor-in-chief of Audiology Online. Dybala is an audiologist who received his doctorate from the University of Texas, Dallas/Callier Center and is currently there as an adjunct faculty member. He is also a board member of the Scott Haug Foundation.

“Paul brings with him a wealth of knowledge in audiology, technology, and Web-based learning,” says Kevin Havens, Audiology Online CEO. “He is known as one of the pioneers of the Internet for the profession. I look forward to his continued contributions to Audiology Online.”

Dybala was highly recommended for the position by Douglas L. Beck, AuD, past president and editor-in-chief, who has accepted a position with Oticon Inc.

Starkey
Brandon Sawalich has been named vice president of US sales and marketing for Starkey Laboratories, Eden Prairie, Minn. He is responsible for the development and management of the company’s domestic sales and marketing programs. Sawalich has worked in the industry for 11 years. He was managing director of sales for Starkey where he developed customer networks through his management style and leadership skills.

“His industry experience makes Brandon uniquely qualified for the duties of this position,” says Starkey President Jerry Ruzicka. “As a strong advocate of Starkey’s mission to ‘Improve the Patient Journey,’ Brandon will be called on to coordinate key US market strategies.”

Starkey has also named five graduate students in audiology as winners of $10,000 William F. Austin scholarships for the 2005-06 academic year. The scholarship program aims to support strong candidates pursuing clinical, teaching and research careers in audiology. The winners are: Rebecca Benjamin, Lafayette, Ind, who plans to work with pediatric patients in a rural hospital setting when she completes her AuD at Purdue University in 2007; Lauren Calandruccio, Syracuse, NY, has set a goal to perform research as a faculty member in an academic setting when she completes her PhD in audiology at Syracuse University; Tiffany Lynn Harvey, White Marsh, Va, plans to either go into a clinical practice or audiological research after completing her AuD at Galludet University; Victoria Lee, Evanston, Ill, is interested in working with patient populations that are difficult to test when she finishes her AuD at Northwestern University ; and Amber Reith, Auburn, Ala, plans to build her skills at a hospital or ENT practice before opening her own practice after earning her AuD at Auburn University.

Missouri Hearing Society
Ervin Dock, BC-HIS, was presented with the MHS Founders Award during the Missouri Hearing Society’s annual convention. The Jefferson City, Mo-based organization honors those who have provided selfless service to MHS and the hearing health care profession.

Dock, CEO of Beltone Audiology and Hearing Center, Springfield, Mo, has worked with the MHS, holding positions of director and president, throughout a 31-year span to promote ethics, integrity, and unity among hearing health care professionals in Missouri.