George Osborne Honored with Larry Mauldin Award

Beltone Electronics awarded the Larry Mauldin Award for Excellence in Education to the late George Osborne, PhD, DDS, at the AudiologyNOW! in April.

The Mauldin Award was created to honor the accomplishments of the late Larry Mauldin, especially for his work and commitment to education in the field of audiology. The award is given to an industry leader committed to continuing education and who "unselfishly gives back to the profession, the community and the hearing impaired," according to Beltone, which sponsors the award.

"[George Osborne's] extraordinary contributions to audiology education in the hearing care industry are profound. He was an experienced professional and a dedicated educator who worked hard to promote the profession and ensure that audiologists would achieve recognition with other health professionals," says Todd Murray, president of Beltone.

Osborne was a driving force in founding the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) School of Audiology where he also served as the school's dean. Osborne's curriculum is credited for setting the standard for the PCO School of Audiology as well as the profession of audiology.

For information and photos, see the April 17 edition of HR's weekly e-newsletter The Insider.

DRF Celebration Recognizes 50 Years of Achievements

The Deafness Research Foundation (DRF) hosted a 50th Anniversary Celebration May 14 at the Hudson Theatre in New York to recognize a half century of achievements in hearing health and research, and to inaugurate its commitment to future endeavors.

The core mission of DRF is its National Hearing Research Grants Center that awards research grants to scientists exploring new avenues in hearing and balance science. DRF reports it has awarded 2,100 grants, totaling more than $24 million, since 1958.

The DRF 50th Anniversary Gala honorary host committee included: Kassie and Jim DePaiva, actors from One Life to Live; Lee Woodruff, author and contributor to Good Morning America; and more than 115 members of Congress.

The event honored Collette Ramsey Baker, founder of the Deafness Research Foundation; Lucille B. Beck, PhD, national director, audiology and speech pathology, and chief consultant, rehabilitation services, Department of Veterans Affairs; and Sen Tom Harkin, chair, Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.

Vivosonic Appoints Serge Amar Vice President, Worldwide Sales

Serge Amar

Vivosonic Inc has appointed Serge Amar vice president, worldwide sales. Amar is responsible for further development of the Vivosonic Integrity sales platform globally, and will work closely with specialty equipment distributors, institutions, and private practices. Amar brings nearly 20 years of international experience in the medical device industry, heading worldwide sales and market development teams for several technology-based companies.

"Serge has a wealth of industry experience and demonstrated success in managing and growing a global sales organization," says Yuri Sokolov, PhD, president and CEO of Vivosonic. "I look forward to his contribution and expect that Serge's expertise and strong skills of building relationships with customers will prove beneficial in the North American and international markets as we continue to grow our company and to help children and other patients around the world receive superior hearing health care—without the risks associated with sedation and anesthesia."

Leadership Announced for Oticon Pediatrics

Oticon Inc announces it has established Oticon Pediatrics as a distinct brand within the Oticon portfolio, intended as a single source for optimal solutions for hearing-impaired youngsters.

"Hearing care professionals are looking for integrated solutions for children with hearing loss," says Peer Lauritsen, president of Oticon Inc. "We recognize the benefit to hearing care professionals and caregivers of providing a full range of hearing care solutions under the Oticon Pediatrics brand."

The Oticon Pediatrics management team consists of: Sheena D. Oliver, AuD, MBA, manager, Oticon Pediatrics; Max Hansen, manager, Oticon Pediatrics; Maureen Doty Tomasula, MA, product marketing manager; and George Lindley, PhD, AuD, manager, pediatric training and education.

In addition, Oticon Pediatrics has assembled a team of 13 account managers/audiologists, customer service professionals, audiology support staff, and a pediatric audiologist to provide day-to-day service and support to pediatric hearing care professionals and their staffs.

AHAA Makes Executive Changes

American Hearing Aid Associates (AHAA) has made a number of executive changes. According to AHAA President Tina Soika, "they are designed to help ensure that its more than 2,000 network members are engaged in business practices that will produce the strongest business growth with the best patient outcomes."

Bill Urwin will assume the role of senior vice president-training and leadership development. He will be responsible for the scores of training programs that AHAA offers its network members as well as the AHAA sales staff. Urwin joined AHAA in 1998 and was formerly vice president of its West Division.

Jim Munsey has been named vice president of sales and account management. He will manage AHAA's sales support staff and new-business development sales staff. He joined AHAA in 1999 and was formerly vice president of its East Division.

Brandon Jones, who joined AHAA last year as vice president of its Central Division, will lead its merging into an expanded West Division.

Art Hoath has just been hired as vice president to head AHAA's East Division. He has nearly 20 years of sales and marketing experience in health care positions. Most recently, he was a sales manager with Network Synergy Group, a Tampa, Fla-based occupational health care company. Hoath is a graduate of West Chester (Pennsylvania) University.