For additional information about the AVAA Awards, please email awards@myavaa.org

2024 Award Photographs
2023 Award Photographs
2020 Awards Photographs
2018 Awards Photographs
2017 Awards Photographs
2015 Awards Photographs
2014 Awards Photographs
2013 Awards Photographs
2012 Awards Photographs
2011 Awards Photographs
2010 Awards Photographs
2009 Awards Photographs
2008 Awards Photographs

2016 and 2019 Award Photographs are unavailable.
2021 and 2022 Award Photographs were not taken due to the conference being held virtually.

DOUG NOFFSINGER HONORS of the ASSOCIATION

This award recognizes extraordinary contributions to the VA. It recognizes a sustained effort of rare quality.

Recipients:

2025: Nancy Duran, Au.D.
2024: Lauren Racoosin, Au.D.
2023: Christine Ulinski, Au.D.
2022: Paula Myers, Ph.D.
2021: Andrea Bourne, Au.D.
2020: Maureen Wargo, Au.D.
2018: Kim Whorton
2017: Judy Schafer, Ph.D.
2016: David Chandler, Ph.D.
2015: Gene Bratt, Ph.D. & Charles Martinez, Au.D.
2014: Colleen Noe, Ph.D.
2013: Kyle Dennis, Ph.D.
2012: Lucille Beck, Ph.D.
2011: Richard Wilson, Ph.D.
2010: Margaret Peak, Ph.D
2009: Robert Dunlop, Ph.D.
2008: Janet Shanks, Ph.D.
2006: Rick Bollinger, Ph.D.
2005: Douglas Noffsinger, Ph.D.
2003: G. Donald Causey, Ph.D.

1LT. FRANK B. WALKUP IV DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

This award proudly honors Tennessee native and UT Knoxville graduate 1LT Frank B. Walkup IV, a US Army Ranger, 25th Infantry Division, A CO, 2-35 INF, who was killed in action in Rashaad, Iraq on June 16, 2007. 1LT Walkup was the son of Mitzi A. Walkup who serves our veterans as the Cochlear Implant Coordinator on the Alvin C. York Campus of the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System and her late husband Frank B. Walkup III. This award is presented to AVAA members in recognition of special contributions made to AVAA or to VA Audiology through VA-related activities. It can recognize one outstanding contribution or contributions over time.

Recipients:

2025: Rachel Tomasek, Au.D.
2024: Judy Schafer, Ph.D.
2023: Mary Kelly Bone, Au.D.
2022: Sean McClenney, Au.D.
2021: Margaret Peak, Ph.D.
2020: Anna Black, Au.D.
2019: R. Hope Gillison, Au.D.
2018: Paula Myers, Ph.D.
2017: Nancy Duran, Au.D.
2016: Scott Forbes, Au.D.
2015: Maureen Wargo, Au.D.
2014: Jennifer Nalley, Au.D.
2013: Charles Martinez, Au.D.
2012: Rachel McArdle, Ph.D.
2011: Darlene Moenter-Rodriguez, Ph.D.
2010: Colleen Noe, Ph.D.
2009: Nancy Cambron, Au.D.
2008: Gene Bratt, Ph.D.

Previous Recipients: (award previously named the AVAA Distinguished Service Award)

2007: Stephen Gonzenbach, Ed.D.
2006: Kyle Dennis, Ph.D.
2003: David L. Miller, Ph.D.

RESEARCH OR EDUCATION AWARD

Given in recognition to persons who have made special contributions to VA Audiology in education or research, or who have brought recognition to VA Audiology through these venues.

Recipients:

2025: Tara Zaugg, Au.D.
2024: Kelly Reavis, Ph.D., M.S., M.P.H.
2023: Kathy Gates, Au.D.
2022: David Jedlicka, Au.D.
2021: Dawn Konrad-Martin, Au.D.
2020: Nancy Cambron, Au.D.
2019: Frederick J. Gallun, Ph.D. 
2018: Lisa Guillory, Au.D.
2017: Colleen Sneed, M.S. & Cindy Ochipa, Ph.D.
2016: Curtis Billings, Ph.D. & Marjorie Leek, Ph.D.
2014: Owen Murnane, Ph.D.
2013: Sheila Pratt, Ph.D.
2012: Sherri Smith, Ph.D.,Au.D.
2011: James Henry, Ph.D.
2010: Gail Takahashi, PhD.
2008: Faith Akin, Ph.D.
2007: Stephen Fausti, Ph.D.
2006: Harvey Abrams, Ph.D.
2005: Paula Myers, Ph.D.
2003: Richard H. Wilson, Ph.D.

CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD

This award is given in recognition to AVAA members or other members of the VA community for special contributions to Veterans. This award can recognize one outstanding contribution or contributions over time.

Recipients:

2025: Chris Nelson & Amy Mikkelsen
2024: Ilana Glick, Au.D.
2023: David Jedlicka Au.D. & Kaitlin Thoden, Au.D.
2022: Cyndi Trueheart, Au.D.
2021: Darrin Worthington, Au.D.
2020: Mary Kelly Bone, Au.D.
2018: Terry Haskins
2016: Oscar Armero, Au.D.
2015: Nancy King
2014: Tracey Papaleo, Au.D.
2013: Gail Hixon
2012: Jacqueline Walton
2011: Janet Sells, Au.D.
2010: Cathy Greener (VA ASPS National Office)
2009: Mary Ann Blumenthal (DALC)
2008: Stephen Gonzenbach, Ed.D.
2007: Jointly presented to Denver Acquisition & Logistics Center (DALC) and Hines Office of Information – Field Office (Hines OIFO)
2006: Denver Distribution Center Hurricane Response Team

INNOVATION AND SYSTEM REDESIGN

This award is given in recognition to an individual or group that contributes an innovation or system redesign effort for the improvement of Audiology services to Veterans.

Recipients:

2025: (Award not given)
2024: Trisha Milnes, Au.D., M.H.A.
2023: Mark Sanders, Au.D.
2022: Hershel “Woody” Williams VA Audiology Team
2021: Krystal Vera, Au.D.
2020: Cara Michaux, Au.D.
2019: Orlando VA Medical Center (Denise Goforth, Au.D., Amber Tierney, Au.D., & Tiffany Warren, Au.D.)
2018: Maureen Wargo, Au.D., David Jedlicka, Au.D., & Cara Michaux, Au.D. from the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System Audiology Department
2017: Multi-Site Winners, Innovations in Telehealth Services
VA Pacific Islands VA HCS, San Francisco VA HCS, VA Eastern Colorado HCS, Sheridan VAMC, VA Salt Lake City HCS, VA Montana HCS, VISN 19 Telehealth Lead (Susan Blaney), & VISN 21 Telehealth Lead (Sandy Murphy)
2016: Darrin Worthington, Au.D.
2015: Erica Dombrowsky, Au.D.
2014: Bay Pines VAMC Audiology Section
2013: Chad Gladden, Au.D.

VA EARLY CAREER PROFESSIONAL AWARD

This prestigious recognition has been established to highlight the outstanding contributions and achievements of recent graduates within the VA system. As an organization, we recognize the vital role that early career professionals play in bringing fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and enthusiastic dedication to veteran care. This award aims to celebrate the exceptional work of audiologists who are in the early stages of their career yet are already making significant impacts in their field and in the lives of the veterans they serve.

Recipients:

2025: Sunny Burdick, Au.D.