President's Message

By 2010-11 GAA President Kelly Shea-Miller, Ph.D.

As I start my term as president one thought keeps popping into my head, “OK, everyone I have stepped up to the plate I am going to work hard all year to make GAA work better for its members but what are YOU going to do for your professional organization?”

When I returned to Georgia a scant 3 ½ years ago I had no aspirations to be the president of our State organization – all I did is attend the GAA conference.  But in going to that conference and in becoming involved I have learned a lot about what GAA does for audiologists in the state.

• Did you know that GAA is currently working to change the workman’s compensation formula for hearing loss so that is includes 3000 Hz  rather than the outdated formula that still uses only 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz?  Your membership and attendance at workshops and convention helps make this happen.
• Did you know that GAA held three continuing education events last year?
  • Cerumen Management – Decatur, GA
  • Annual Convention – Marietta, GA
  • Reimbursement – Macon, GA (And many thanks to Katie Terrell and the people at the  ENT Center of Central Georgia for hosting that event and to GNResound for purchasing lunch and the Apple iPad)

There are a lot of people that work hard to keep GAA alive and well. In the past year Gerry Drumheller, past president, has done an amazing job keeping GAA financially stable in a tough economic environment. Kelli Smith has worked for years behind the scenes keeping the website running and in the past 2 years has supervised its complete remodel.  Jiovanna Hughart and her marketing committee made the second annual Audiology Day at the capital a huge success.

The list of things that GAA does for its members and for audiologists in the State goes on and on and that is why I keep thinking the same thing… “what are YOU going to do this year for your professional organization?”

MISSION AND VISION STATEMENT: The Georgia Academy of Audiology is a professional organization of audiologists and friends of the audiology community that promotes quality hearing and balance care by advancing the profession of audiology through leadership, advocacy, education, public awareness, and support of research.*

The Georgia Academy of Audiology’s vision is to be essential in the professional lives of audiologists by:

•        Advancing the science and practice of audiology, and

•        Achieving public recognition of audiologists as experts in hearing and balance.

The Georgia Academy of Audiology shall be recognized as the professional organization for audiologists in the State of Georgia.

*We would like to acknowledge and thank the American Academy of Audiology for their inspiration in creating a mission statement that we have adapted for our state association.