Farheen Akbar, master’s in public health ’10, received the National Institute on Aging’s Director’s Award, which recognizes employees who exhibit superior performance or special efforts. She is a research program analyst with the institute’s Division of Behavioral and Social Research in Bethesda, Md.
Lynnette Bosse Bardolf, Ph.D. in communication sciences and disorders ’06, was promoted to colonel (Active Duty, U.S. Army Medical Service Corps-Audiologist) in September.
Sandie Bass-Ringdahl, Ph.D., bachelor’s in communication processes and disorders ’93, is an assistant professor of audiology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Rehabilitation Institute. She was named the recipient of the inaugural Dr. Mark and Susan Ashley Endowed Professorship of Audiology.
Ryan Branski, Ph.D., master’s in communication sciences and disorders ’98, was appointed associate director of the NYU Voice Center in the New York University School of Medicine department of otolaryngology.
Bland Eng, master’s in business administration/master’s in health administration ’95, was appointed CEO of Brandon Regional Hospital in Brandon, Fla. He most recently served as CEO of Palms West Hospital in Loxahatchee.
Deborah Gadd, bachelor’s in communication sciences and disorders ’97 and master’s ’99, opened a private practice in Manchester, N.H. She is experienced in neurodevelopment disorders, learning disabilities, speech-language/hearing disorders, mentoring and lecturing.
Kristi Hape, master’s in occupational therapy ’04, teaches in the Master of Occupational Therapy program at the University of Indianapolis and received a summer research grant to investigate the effectiveness of a summer handwriting camp.
Renée Hoffinger, bachelor’s in clinical and community dietetics ’82, authored “The Recovery Diet,” recently published by Adams Media. She has been serving as the dietitian to the Substance Abuse Treatment Program at the North Florida/South Georgia Veteran Health System for more than 18 years, pioneering hands-on nutrition education with veterans.
Katie (Algeo) Holeman, bachelor’s in physical therapy ’99, and husband Jason, along with big brothers Gage and Bryce, welcomed Owen Christopher into the world on July 11, 2011.
Roberta Isleib, Ph.D. in clinical and health psychology ’85, writing under the name Lucy Burdette, recently published “An Appetite for Murder,” the first novel in her new mystery series featuring Key West food critic Hayley Snow.
Leslie Morey, Ph.D. in clinical psychology ’81, received the 2012 Walter Klopfer Award from the Society for Personality Assessment. He is a professor of psychology at Texas A&M University.
Steve Mounts, master’s in business administration/master’s in health administration ’99, was promoted to the grade of colonel in a ceremony held in May at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia. He is chief, medical support division, and command administrator at the U.S. Air Force in Yorktown, Va.
Richard Rodriguez, M.D., bachelor’s in health science ’05, completed his residency in emergency medicine at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia and is now an emergency medicine physician at West Kendall Baptist Hospital in Miami. He also serves as a volunteer faculty member at the Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine.
Leslie Gonzalez Rothi, Ph.D. in communication processes and disorders ’78, received the Distinguished Career Award from the International Neuropsychological Society.
Nicole Scheiman, master’s in occupational therapy ’10, has been promoted to clinical manager of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation at Florida Hospital DeLand.
James Sheehan, Ph.D. in communication sciences and disorders ’07, is the audiologist and new owner of Sonus Hearing Care Professionals in Naperville, Ill.
Michele Cramer Spector, Doctor of Audiology ’06, opened a full-time private practice in New Orleans. Her services and products include hearing evaluations, hearing aid dispensing, custom hearing protection and custom musician ear plugs and monitors.
William (Bill) Walders, master’s in health administration ’07, has been selected as the chief information officer of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the U.S. Department of Defense’s largest hospital.
Leslie Walker, Doctor of Audiology ’11, founded Hear the Runway Foundation. The non-profit organization works to increase self esteem in teens with hearing loss.