UNC Chapel Hill Students Sarah Obarowski and Mark Moore won the grand prize in the Student Business Plan Competition at ADA 2015.
The Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) announced that University of North Carolina Chapel Hill students Mark Moore and Sarah Obarowski earned first place honors and a $5,000 cash grant during the third annual ADA Student Business Plan Competition, held at the ADA 2015 event November 13, 2015 in Washington, DC.
According to ADA, its Business Plan Competition is geared for audiology students seeking meaningful hands-on business experience, and the opportunity to showcase their knowledge and creativity. Both Moore and Obarowski are scheduled to graduate in 2016.
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 ADA Annual Convention where the competition culminated with a live general session featuring student presentation pitches, and rapid-fire questions from the judges.
“The business savvy and hard work demonstrated by Mark and Sarah over the past six months of competition exemplifies what it takes to successfully manage an audiology clinic,” said ADA President Rita Chaiken, AuD. “The level of knowledge and resourcefulness displayed by all of the 2015 finalists offers great assurance that the future of audiology is in great hands!”
ADA 2015 Student Business Plan Competition honorable mentions go to Cliff Olson of the University of Illinois, who finished in second place, and Hershel Korngut and Garrett Thompson representing the Graduate Center of City University of New York (CUNY), who took home third place honors.
Competition judges included Peer Lauritsen, Doug Beck, AuD, Linda Hartman, AuD, and Andrew Hebert (returning). Audiology Practices Editor, Brian Taylor, AuD, made a return appearance as the Master of Ceremonies.
“ADA would like to thank EarQ for its ongoing commitment to support the ADA Student Business Plan Competition,” said Chaiken. “EarQ’s donation of time and resources to ensure the success of the competition has provided a unique opportunity for AuD candidates to hone their practice management skills. We are also grateful for the judges who have taught these students valuable lessons that will allow them to flourish in whatever practice setting they choose.”
Source: ADA
