Audiology Today September-October 2015 Page 81

Audiology Today September-October 2015 Page 81 Vol 27 No 5 Sep/ Oct 2015 AUDIOLOGY TODAY 79 NEWS + ANNOUNCEMENTS Participate in the Academy’s Delegation to Greece The American Academy of Audiology continues to expand its global presence supporting audiology practitioners around the world. In the past two years, the Academy has lead delegations of our members to Cuba and India to exchange information about the practice of audiology in our respective countries. As the immediate past president of the American Academy of Audiology, I am honored to have been selected to lead our third audiology delegation, this time to Greece. I invite you to join me, and other members of the Academy, to participate in this important international exchange. The delegation will convene in Greece in October 2015. The purpose of the delegation is to experience the profession of audiology from a different view and to share our experiences with our colleagues in Greece. The Academy’s goals for the trip are to: .. Meet with professionals providing audiology/ hearing and balance .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. and learn about their challenges. .. Specifically address how they are working with other healthcare professionals to address the co- morbidity of hearing loss and other health issues including cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and cognitive decline. .. Gain an understanding of their delivery model for early intervention services, as well as .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. our perspective regarding the changing delivery model in the United States. .. Discuss the education model for audiology in their country, and determine if there our opportunities to share information regarding both didactic and clinical training. These goals will expand as we continue our preliminary discussions with our colleagues in Greece and determine who will be joining us on the delegation. I know that many of our members have much to contribute to these discussions and would gain both personally and professionally from the experience. Each delegate will be asked to complete a profile identifying their background and areas of interest, to ensure the final schedule of activities reflects the professional goals and specific topics of discussion of the enrolled delegates. Visit www. professionalsabroad. org to enroll and learn more. The estimated cost per delegation member is $ 3,595. This cost includes group ground transportation within Greece, meetings, accommodations in double- occupancy rooms, entry fees for cultural visits, the service of a national guide, and most meals. The program convenes on October 25, 2015, in Athens, Greece and ends on October 30, 2015, in Athens, Greece. In most cases, this means a departure from the United States on October 24, 2015, with a return on October 30, 2015. Travel arrangements will be arranged, at no cost to the Academy, through our cooperation with Professionals Abroad, a division of Academic Travel Abroad. A parallel program of unique cultural activities will be arranged for non- professionals and accompanying guests. If you are interested in bringing a guest to experience the rich culture of Greece, please contact Professionals Abroad for program specifics. For U. S. citizens, expenses associated with this program may be tax deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense. You should consult with a tax advisor to determine if the tax deduction is applicable to you. As the team will be limited and due to the extensive planning and communication involved in coordinating a program of this nature, please respond with your intentions regarding this invitation as soon as possible. Please RSVP to Professionals Abroad at 877- 298- 9677 by September 24, 2015 . A $ 500 deposit is required to reserve your place on the team. In the event that you are unable to accept this invitation, an alternate delegate candidate will be invited. You may also recommend a colleague as your alternate for the program. I look forward to hearing from you regarding your participation. If you have questions regarding the delegation, contact our program representative at Professionals Abroad ( www. professionalsabroad. org) at 877- 298- 9677. I am pleased to be involved in this exciting opportunity and hope that you will strongly consider participating in the delegation to Greece. Sincerely, Erin L. Miller, AuD Board Certified in Audiology Past President American Academy of Audiology ________________ ____ __