Tom Muller
BOSTON–Tom Muller, PhD, a leading figure in audiology education in Arizona and a person who has actively reached out to the deaf and hard of hearing, is the 2012 recipient of the Larry Mauldin Award for Excellence in Education. Beltone presented the 14th annual Mauldin Award to Muller on March 30 during the annual convention of the American Academy of Audiology
Beltone, which has been manufacturing and distributing hearing aids since 1940, also presented a new award in Boston, its first Award of Excellence to Salus University Osborne College of Audiology. The honor recognized the school for its groundbreaking efforts to provide students with the business skills needed to operate and manage a private audiology practice.
“EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS”
Beltone created the Mauldin Award to honor the accomplishments of the late Larry Mauldin, especially for his commitment to education in audiology. Todd Murray, president of Beltone North America, said of this year’s honoree, “Dr. Muller’s extraordinary contributions to audiology and the hearing care industry are profound. We are grateful for his ongoing efforts to improve our industry through continuing education and innovation.”
Muller has been on the faculty at the University of Arizona Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences since 1997, where his roles have included being clinical division leader for audiology. He also directed the Audiology Department at Thomas-Davis Medical Centers in Tucson for seven years and he manages the Pima County Hearing Aid Bank, through which low-income individuals can obtain hearing aids at a very low cost.
Muller received the University of Arizona’s College of Science Innovation in Teaching award in 2010 for his work in developing a model of clinical provision and supervision to foster independence in third-year AuD students. He is also a commissioner for (and past chair of) the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
“A MODEL PROGRAM”
In presenting the first Award of Excellence to Osborne College of Audiology, Murray said, “We believe that the creation of an on-campus private practice audiology clinic can be a model for other programs in the future.”
Beltone has partnered with the college in Elkins Park, PA, to present curriculum and tools that focus on private practice ownership as a career path after graduation. Osborne College is one of the few whose curriculum includes the private practice model, teaching best practices and business-building skills to AuD students.
In accepting the award, Victor Bray, PhD, dean of Osborne College, said that the school was “honored to receive this prestigious award from Beltone.” He added, “Through our educational initiatives, we are striving to support and engage audiology students by preparing them for the clinical and business management challenges they will encounter in their careers.”
The college is named for the late George S. Osborne, PhD, who founded and was dean of its AuD program and was a driving force behind the success of the doctor of audiology movement. He received the Mauldin Award in 2008.
