Pictured L to R: Tim Steele, PhD, Jana Brown, AuD, Jessica Woodson, Erica Fleck, AuD, and ADA President Rita Chaiken, AuD.
The Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) has announced that City University of New York (CUNY) student Jessica Woodson earned first place honors and a $5,000 cash grant during the fourth annual ADA Student Business Plan Competition, sponsored by The Hearing Review and held Saturday, November 12 at AuDacity 2016 in San Diego, Calif.
The ADA Business Plan Competition is geared for audiology students seeking meaningful hands-on business experience, and the opportunity to showcase their knowledge and creativity. Early-round activities included development of a written executive summary and business plan, which was judged on creativity, feasibility, completeness, cohesiveness, professionalism, and polish. Finalists received an all-expense-paid trip to the AuDacity 2016 conference where the Competition culminated with a live general session featuring student presentation pitches, and rapid-fire questions from the judges.
“The entrepreneurial spirit and business savvy displayed by Jessica, over the past six months of competition, personifies what it takes to be a successful practice owner,” said ADA President Rita Chaiken, AuD. “The level of knowledge and resourcefulness displayed by all of the 2016 finalists offers great assurance that the future of audiology is in great hands!”
ADA 2016 Student Business Plan Competition honorable mentions go to Lauren Casady and Madison Mitchell of Auburn University, who finished in second place, and Sarah Smith representing Wayne State University, who took home third place honors.
Competition Judges included Tim Steele, PhD, Jana Brown, AuD, and Erica Fleck, AuD. Audiology Practices Editor Brian Taylor, AuD, made a return appearance as the Master of Ceremonies for the Business Plan Competition Finale and Awards Ceremony, after co-moderating the initial business plan presentations with Hearing Review Editor Karl Strom earlier that day.
“With the support of The Hearing Review‘s time and resources, these students have been able to gain valuable business skills and the confidence that will allow them to practice autonomously in whatever setting they choose,” said Dr Chaiken. “We are also grateful for the judges who have taught these students valuable lessons that will allow them to flourish once they graduate and begin their professional careers.”
For more details about the AuDacity 2016 event, please see Hearing Review’s November 16 report.
The Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) is dedicated to the advancement of practitioner excellence, high ethical standards, professional autonomy and sound business practices in the provision of quality audiologic care. ADA provides programming, services and resources to audiologists and students who are, or who desire to be autonomous practitioners.
Source: ADA; The Hearing Review
Image credit: ADA
