Charlotte, 2008 -- Beltone Electronics awarded the Larry Mauldin Award for Excellence in Education to the late George Osborne, PhD, DDS, at the AudiologyNOW! Convention in Charlotte, NC, April 3-5, 2008. The Mauldin Award was created to honor the accomplishments of the late Larry Mauldin, especially for his work and commitment to education in the field of audiology. Presented since 1999, the award is given to an industry leader committed to continuing education and unselfishly giving back to the profession, the community and the hearing impaired. The recipient of this special honor is nominated and selected by industry peers, and Beltone sponsors the award.
"His extraordinary contributions to audiology education in the hearing care industry are profound. He was an experienced professional and a dedicated educator who worked hard to promote the profession and ensure that audiologists would achieve recognition with other health professionals," said Todd Murray, President of Beltone.
Dr. Osborne, Ph.D., DDS, was a driving force in founding the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) School of Audiology where he also served as the School's dean. His curriculum set the standard not just for the PCO School of Audiology, but for the entire profession. In May of last year, Dr. Osborne presided over the graduation of the school's first class of residential students.
In his commitment to educate audiologists, he created the AuDonline distance education program, which is a comprehensive program designed as a bridge for a licensed, practicing audiologist to earn the Au.D. By the year 2010, the program will have awarded more than 2,000 Au.D. degrees. The first PCO Audiology graduates of the AuDonline program established the George S. Osborne Audiology Scholarship Fund in 2001 to honor Dr. Osborne.
Dr. Osborne was a true pioneer in the field of audiology. He was the co-founder and director of the American Academy of Audiology and the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education. He was also co-founder and past chair of the Audiology Foundation of American, and founder and past president of the Pennsylvania Academy of Audiology.
He is survived by his wife, Joan, his son, Brian, daughter-in-law, Karen, daughter, Tonya Delborne, son-in-law, Jason Delborne and four granddaughters.
Founded in 1940, Chicago-based Beltone Electronics is part of the GN Hearing Care Group, utilizing advanced technology to produce hearing instruments sold in the United States, Canada and over 40 countries worldwide. In addition to providing outstanding service and support for its U.S. hearing care network operating in over 1,400 offices in North America, Beltone remains the most trusted brand for quality products and care among its patients and adults aged 50 and older.
For more information, visit www.beltone.com or the Beltone web channel on Audiology Online.
