AFA Announces 2009 Goldstein Outstanding Audiologist Award Winner

The Audiology Foundation of America's (AFA) fourth annual "David P. Goldstein, Ph.D. Outstanding Audiologist Award" was presented this year to Linda Burba, Au.D., and her husband and business partner Richard Burba, M.B.A. The award was presented during a surprise October visit to Dr. Burba's Glen Ellyn, IL, office by AFA Executive Director Susan Paarlberg and AFA Chair Emeritus David P. Goldstein, Ph.D.



AFA Executive Director Susan Paarlberg (right) and AFA Founder David P. Goldstein (second from right) present the "David P. Goldstein, Ph.D. Outstanding Audiologist Award" to Linda and Richard Burba in their Glen Ellyn, IL, office.

The award recognizes the accomplishments of individuals who have made significant contributions to the profession of audiology by promoting its transformation to a doctoral profession with the Au.D. as its distinctive designator. The award also holds as core values the importance of setting an example for future audiologists as well as excellence in providing quality patient care. Previous winners were David Cieliczka, Au.D., Nancy N. Green, Au.D., and Larry R. Engelmann, Au.D.

The award honors Dr. David Goldstein, founding chair of the AFA, for his devotion to the improvement of education for future audiologists and the promotion of the Au.D. degree. His leadership of the AFA for its first decade shaped the profession's ideas about how the transition to doctoring status could be achieved for working professionals, as well as career entrants. Dr. Goldstein is professor emeritus at Purdue University.

Dr. Linda Burba is a private practitioner in Glen Ellyn, IL, and received her Au.D. in 2001 from the Arizona School of Health Sciences. She has worked tirelessly on licensure efforts in Illinois, and with the Illinois Academy of Audiology, and has served on the Board of Directors of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA). Rich Burba holds an M.B.A., and has long worked side-by-side with Linda in their audiology practice to run the business side of the practice. From 2000-2005, Rich served the AFA as director and treasurer, and currently sits on the AFA's Senior Advisors Council.