Madison Pollock receiving award from Dr. Krueger
Dr. Holt and Dr. Bowdrie
Kaitlyn Eichen
Lilly Foltz
Dr. Hazelbaker
Christina Martin-Smith receiving award from Dr. Krueger
American Auditory Society (AAS)
A huge shoutout to Dr. Kris Bowdrie (PhD/AuD alum) and Dr. Rachael Holt for their fantastic presentation at the American Auditory Society (AAS)! Their talk, Hearing Aid Benefit in Adults: Interactions Between Temperament and Self‑Efficacy, explored how personal characteristics shape hearing aid outcomes. Also, an extra round of applause for Dr. Bowdrie, who received an Early Career Investigator Travel Award for this research! We’re so proud to see OSU representation making an impact.
Ohio Academy of Audiology (OAA) Ohio Audiology Conference (OAC), March 7, 2026
Dr. Gail Whitelaw presented her talk, Practical Tinnitus: What you Can Implement for Patients on Monday.
Dr. Julie Hazelbaker presented about advocacy and her role on the Ohio Speech and Hearing Governmental Affairs Coalition. Dr. Hazelbaker discussed the importance of advocacy and highlighted accomplishments for 2025, including critical support for Madeline’s Law (expanding hearing aid coverage for children in Ohio) and being sought out for expert opinion to advocate for hearing and balance issues and how these impact patients and their families. Dr. Hazelbaker provided compelling information regarding advocacy in an interesting way. Another Buckeye alum leading the way! O-H
Lilly Foltz, 3rd year AuD student, was awarded the prize for outstanding research poster in the student category at the OAC. Congratulations on your recognition, Lilly. We are so proud of you and your dedicated work!
Congratulations to Christina Martin-Smith, recipient of the 2024 Julie S. Kelly Scholarship from the OAA. Christina is a 4th year AuD student completing her residency at the Pittsburgh VA. Julie Kelly was a beloved audiologist who loved our profession, who volunteered to support the community, and who was a pillar of leadership, and Christina was recognized for following in Julie’s footsteps.
Congratulations Madison Pollock, 3rd year AuD student, for receiving the Oustanding Student award from the OAA. Madison received her award at the OAC, presented by Dr. Kelsey Krueger, president of OAA. Congratulations Madison—we are so proud of you and know you have an amazing future ahead as an audiologist and leader in our field!
AuD alumni from Ohio State are not only exceptional audiologists but lead our profession. Dr. Kelsey Krueger is the current president of the OAA. She led an excellent luncheon meeting to provide “the state of the profession in Ohio”. Dr. Krueger was a leader when she set foot on our campus as a student, and we are proud of her commitment to our profession. It was a wonderful session and set a great tone for day one of the Ohio Audiology Conference.
Disability Policy Seminar
Kiersten Spires, 3rd year AuD student, recently attended the Disability Policy Seminar in Washington, D.C., as a Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Program Trainee. Through this experience, she engaged in professional development focused on federal disability policy and helped educate Congressional offices on the importance of accessible hearing and communication services. We’re proud to see our students growing as clinicians, leaders, and advocates!
KYSHA
Kaitlyn Eichen, a 3rd year Doctor of Audiology (AuD) student was an invited presenter at the Kentucky Speech and Hearing Association (KYSHA) meeting on February 20, 2026, at the Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY. Kaitlyn was a co-presenter with Dr. Trey Cline from the University of Kentucky Medicine Medical Center. Their presentation on Sex Hormones and the Auditory System provided unique information to audiologists to help them provide cutting edge services to their patients. Congratulations to Kaitlyn, particularly since it is remarkable to be an invited presenter this early in one’s career as an audiologist!
(Scroll through slideshow above for images.)