April 20, 2007

In a recent ceremony, the Arizona School of Health Sciences (ASHS) awarded its Audiology Foundation of America (AFA) Student Excellence Award scholarship to one of its most outstanding residential students, Michelle Pollihan.

The annual scholarship provides $1,000 to a winning student based on clinical skills, academic standing, demonstrated commitment to professional organizations and an essay on professionalism.

Pollihan is a third-year student at ASHS. She holds a perfect GPA, has performed professionally at numerous and varied clinical externship sites and has participated in Rotary Club missions to Mexico to perform audiological evaluations for Spanish-speaking children and adults. She is a student member of several professional organizations, including NAFDA and AAA, and has offered presentations on professional topics throughout her academic career.

"Academically, Ms. Pollihan is an excellent student, but she stands out even more because of her positive attitude, professional behaviors, and motivation to get involved in service and leadership activities,” said Dr. Tabitha Buck, ASHS Audiology Chair. “She will be an outstanding Doctor of Audiology and an active professional, representing audiology well in all of her endeavors."

During March graduation exercises at ASHS, Joan Marttila, AuD, and Mary McDaniel, AuD, received AFA Professional Leadership Awards honoring graduating distance education students. Winners are recognized for their positive attitude and strong work ethic throughout their AuD program, their involvement in professional activities to promote the profession and patient care, and for their dedication to public service.

Marttila was recognized for her leadership in ensuring that assistive devices are provided for Iowa school students; her work with the Iowa EHDI Advisory Committee; and her contributions to the profession via authoring articles. In particular, Marttila was recognized for serving as principal author for the Knowledge is Power program to teach students about their hearing loss.

McDaniel was honored for efforts to protect the hearing of industrial workers in the state of Washington; her national contributions as an officer and member of the National Hearing Conservation Association; and her collaborative work with OSHA and CAOHC. McDaniel has owned her own hearing conservation company, Pacific Hearing Conservation, in Seattle since 1995.

Learn more about AFA at www.audfound.org

Source: AFA