3-8-2007

Cochlear Americas, Englewood, Colo, recently awarded scholarships that recognized the achievements of persons who have received Nucleus® cochlear implants. The company announced the recipients of the Graeme Clark Cochlear Scholarship in February at the second Cochlear Celebration in San Antonio, Texas.
The 2007 winners were:
Rachel Chaikof of Atlanta, Ga, a first-year student at Savannah College of Art and Design, majoring in filmmaking. Deaf since birth, Chaikof was one of the first toddlers to receive a cochlear implant. She created a Web site about cochlear implants that was awarded first place at the Georgia State Fair in 2002;
David Duncan of Mount Pleasant, SC, a third-year business management student at Clemson University in South Carolina. Duncan is a member of the Blue Key National Honor Fraternity, Student Alumni Council and the Golden Key International Honour Society;
Katherine DeVleming of Clarkston, Wash, a first-year student at Whitman College, majoring in English and pre-med. DeVleming received her implant in 1991 and graduated first in her high school class in 2005. She plans to pursue a career in physical therapy;
Jordan Scott Sack of Providence, RI, a freshman at Brown University’s 8-year undergraduate/medical school program. Sack received an implant at 10 years and graduated as valedictorian of his high school class. Sack is the vice president of the Rhode Island Chapter of the AG Bell Association and a member of the Rhode Island Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; ands
Abigael Lee Brimhall of Mesa, Ariz, a first-year student at Brigham Young University studying education. Brimhall was diagnosed with profound bilateral hearing loss at 10 months and received her implant at age 11. A National Honor Society member all four years of high school, Brimhall also received four service learning awards.
“There are so many young people with cochlear implants who are excelling academically and making a significant impact on the world around them,” Chris Smith, president of Cochlear Americas, said. “It is thrilling to see how many lives have been affected by the Nucleus technology and to recognize these five outstanding recipients who demonstrate the highest levels of accomplishment.”
This year’s celebration marked 25 years of Nucleus cochlear implant technology. Professor Graeme Clark, inventor of the cochlear implant, presented the keynote address. Also in attendance was the first recipient of the multi-channel cochlear implant, Rod Saunders.

[SOURCE: Cochlear Americas, February 2007]