Audiology students transition to clinical practice at annual White Coat Ceremony

Twelve second-year audiology students celebrated a significant milestone in their training during the doctoral program's annual White Coat Ceremony on Sept. 25. The ceremony serves as a rite of passage, recognizing students' transition to clinical practice.

"It is my great pleasure to welcome you to our annual White Coat Ceremony for second-year audiology students," said Jungmee Lee, PhD, audiology program director, during her welcome remarks. "This ceremony is a very important milestone in their training in the audiology doctoral program. After successfully completing academic coursework during the first year, their training focus will move more and more toward clinical practice. I know some of you traveled quite far to join this important moment. Thank you so much for being here for them."

Following Lee's welcome, Bettina Tucker, AuD, presented scholarships recognizing the outstanding achievements of students in the program. The Audiology Alumni Scholarship Program was established in 2008 by Tucker, who is also a Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders alumna and former adjunct instructor in the audiology program.

Congratulations to the following scholarship recipients:

• First-Year Academic Performance Scholarship — Elizabeth Hansen
• Second-Year Clinical Performance Scholarship — Autumn Toler
• Third-Year Leadership Scholarship — Kayleigh Burge
• Audiology Endowment Scholarship (awarded to a third-year student who demonstrates strength in all facets of the audiology program) — Sophia Kriesmer
• John M. Tragon Memorial Scholarship (awarded annually to a deserving third- or fourth-year student and representing a commitment to community service and volunteerism) — Talia Rejes Diaz
• The Haft Family Scholarship (awarded for one semester to students in their final year of the audiology program who did not receive a stipend, paid externship or paid clinical placement) — Catherine Steinwachs

Alumna Paula Golson, AuD, a pediatric audiologist at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, served as the distinguished guest speaker. Sherry Ralston, AuD, assistant professor of clinical instruction; Jon Douglas, AuD, assistant professor of instruction; and Calli Fodor, AuD, assistant professor of instruction, led the coating ceremony.

Congratulations to the Class of 2029: