Callier Doctoral Student and Clinician Honored

Scholarship to Support
Audiology Aspirations

Kristen Kruse, a second-year student in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences’ doctor of audiology (Au.D.) program, recently received the Audiology Foundation of America’s outstanding second year Au.D. student scholarship.

This prestigious scholarship is awarded annually to only two Au.D. students throughout the entire U.S.

UT Dallas’ Au.D. faculty unanimously nominated Kruse for the award, and she submitted an essay describing her goals for audiology and where she envisioned herself after graduation.

 “I chose audiology because I always wanted to go into the medical field,” said Kruse. “Plus, I want to help people communicate with those they love.”

Kruse selected UT Dallas because of its nationally ranked program and research opportunities. While working at the Callier Center for Communication Disorders, Kruse assists faculty members with their research and uses her Spanish-speaking skills to help patients and their families with therapy.

The $4,500 scholarship will help Kruse continue to pursue her dream of working as an audiologist in a private practice. She is also committed to working on humanitarian projects.

State Association Lauds
Cochlear Implant Work

Melissa Sweeney, cochlear implant program manager at the Callier Center for Communication Disorders, was honored by the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA) in February.

Sweeney received TSHA’s Award of Honor which is given annually to a speech-language pathologist or audiologist who meets the following criteria:

• Has been a member of TSHA for 10 or more years.
• Has contributed significantly to TSHA.
• Has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the professions while providing an example of professional excellence.

Sweeney has managed the Callier Center’s cochlear implant program for the past year and a half.

The program has approximately 420 active pediatric cochlear implant patients who are seen for audiological and/or speech-language services.

“I am honored to have received this award,” said Sweeney.

“I truly enjoy my work at the Callier Center and with the Dallas Cochlear Implant Program,” she said. “It’s amazing to watch children with profound hearing loss develop spoken language through listening.”