FS202 - The Journey to Becoming a Legacy: A Discussion with the 2026 Academy Honors and Awards Recipients

Thursday, April 23, 2026

2:15 PM - 3:45 PM CST

Location: Stars at Night Ballroom B1

Earn 0.15 CEUs

Moderator(s)

GW

Gail M. Whitelaw, PhD

Audiologist/Clinical Professor
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio

Disclosure(s): Financial - Oto: Consultant/Advisory Board (Ongoing); The Ohio State University: Employment (Ongoing); Nonfinancial - Chair, Honors and Awards, AAA, Board of Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education

PDF Slides

Presenter(s)

Pawel J. Jastreboff, PhD, ScD, MBA

Professor
Department of Otolaryngology, Emory University School of Medicine
Atlanta, Georgia

Disclosure(s): No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.
SG

Sandra Gabbard, PhD

Mentor/Audiologist
Marion Downs Center
Denver, Colorado

Disclosure(s): No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.
Anna M. Jilla, AuD, PhD

Assistant Professor
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Lafayette, Louisiana

Disclosure(s): Financial - No financial relationships to disclose; Nonfinancial - Volunteer service to American Academy of Audiology (Co-Chair, Coding and Reimbursement Committee; Co-Chair, Task Force for Health Related Quality of Life Benefits of Hearing Aids; Member, Subcommittee for Poster and Podium Presentations), American Speech-Language Hearing Association (Editorial Board Member, American Journal of Audiology; ASHA 2026 Health Literacy Committee)
LG

Laura Gaeta, PhD (she/her/hers)

Associate Professor
California State University, Sacramento
California State University, Sacramento
Sacramento, California

Disclosure(s): Financial - No financial relationships to disclose; Nonfinancial - Vice Chair and member of ACAE Board of Directors

Abstract: This session recognizes the awardees of Honors and Awards from the Academy. The goal is to meet each awardee and provide an opportunity to explore the lessons that each brings to our profession and those we serve. Each awardee has unique and remarkable accomplishments and an interesting story to tell, along with lessons to share that they have learned along the way. The session is designed to be interactive between the honorees and attendees, as they discuss their professional journeys and their visions for the future of audiology. Come and celebrate the best of audiology and be motivated and inspired!

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion, participants will be able to list skills that contribute to career success as an audiologist-lifelong commitment to promoting the importance of being person centered and focusing on insuring that our interventions improve the quality of life of persons with hearing difficulties and their family members.
Upon completion, participants will be able to describe the role of mentoring and mentors in career development.
Upon completion, participants will be able to recognize the factors that have led award recipients to be recognized by the Academy.