© 2000-2003 PAA

PAA conducts regional workshops each year during May/June in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia as a means to provide "close-to-home" quality continuing education experiences to PAA members. The annual PAA convention is held each year in September to provide members with high quality continuing education experiences from nationally known speakers and fellow PAA members as well as the latest information from hearing aid, instrument, and other exhibitors. Sherman Lord, PAA VP of Education, is in charge of planning and implementing the workshops and convention. If you have any comments or would like to suggest workshop/convention topics or speakers, please contact Sherman via email at SLORD@comcast.net or by calling (215) 361-7050.

The Pennsylvania Academy of Audiology
Ten Years After…

Clarks Summit, May 20, 1994, the first PAA Convention opened at the Inn at Nichols Village. And so began what has become an annual event for all Pennsylvania audiologists. It's hard to believe that ten years have passed since the first PAA Convention and how PAA has grown and evolved into one of the top state academies in the nation.

There were forty-nine audiologists in attendance at the two-day 1994 convention. This was the only PAA Convention held in the spring as AAA preferred that state meetings not be held six weeks before or after the AAA Annual Convention. Therefore, beginning in 1995 and thereafter, the convention has been held the second or third weekend in September. Listed below are the convention locations over the years.

1994 Clarks Summit
1995 State College
1996 State College
1997 Harrisburg
1998 Pittsburgh
1999 Philadelphia
2000 State College
2001 State College (cancelled)
2002 Pittsburgh
2003 State College

It is important to make mention of the first PAA Executive Board. Each were instrumental in the formation and early evolution of the Academy.

President George Osborne
Secretary Kathy Landau-Goodman
Co-VP of Professional Issues Roger Angellelli and Leo Doerfler
Co-VP of Education Tom Frank and Dan Konkle
VP of Membership Catherine Palmer

We all owe each of these dedicated professionals a debt of gratitude for the sacrifice and commitment they made to getting PAA off the ground in those early years. Without them and several others who were not on the first board but made significant contributions, nonetheless, it is debatable that PAA would have achieved its current level of success.

One final thank you should be offered to the five individuals who have served in the role of President. Up until the change made to our by-laws earlier this year, the role of President required a six-year commitment; two years as President-elect, two years as President and two years as Past-President. This required an extraordinary level of commitment of time and energy to insure the continued success of PAA.

The individuals who have served as President of PAA include:

George Osborne (1994-1996)
Steve Mock (1997-1998)
Tom Frank (1999-2000)
Judy Butera (2001-2002)
Jeane Singer (current President)

As PAA moves into its second decade a new generation of "leaders" is starting to emerge. These individuals will lead PAA into a very important era as audiology becomes a doctoral level profession, audiologists achieve a greater degree of autonomy, and the need for a strong voice statewide will continue to be paramount. Congratulations and Happy Anniversary to PAA!!

Tenth Annual Convention of the
Pennsylvania Academy of Audiology

September 11-13, 2003

Penn State Conference Center and Hotel
State College, PA

Confirmed Speakers:

New Times, New Format: