Spring 2024 Newsletter

Table of Contents

• Alumni Spotlights
• Giving Back to the University of the Pacific Audiology
• Welcome Class of 2026!
• Student News and Events
• Department News
• Connect with Alumni & Current Students
• Past Newsletters

Spring 2024 Newsletter

Alumni Spotlights

Shannon Clemons, Au.D. – Class of 2021

Dr. Shannon Clemons received her Doctorate of Audiology (Au.D.) from the University of the Pacific in 2021. She was driven to choose audiology when her father received his first cochlear implant and her mother assisted with his aural rehabilitation. Dr. Clemons attributes part of her success to the education she received at the University of the Pacific, where she was able to work with patients from her first day as a student. The University of the Pacific worked with Dr. Clemons on her interests and ensured her time at the University highlighted those interests. She worked in Southern California for several years and now resides in San Jose, where she diagnoses, treats, and evaluates hearing and balance disorders at EAR Associates, a private neurotology clinic. Additionally, Dr. Clemons has served on the board of directors for the California Academy of Audiology since 2018. When not participating in something audiology related, Dr. Clemons enjoys cooking, gardening and spending time with her husband and their pets.

Jan Gamble, Au.D. – Class of 2018

My name is Jan Gamble (UOP AuD ’18).  Currently, I work for a private practice with locations in Ukiah and Lakeport, two rural communities in Mendocino and Lake Counties. We are focused on providing excellent rural hearing health care and helping patients navigate the complex rural health care system.

I chose audiology because it is the intersection of my primary interests of sound, technology and empathy. Given my background in music (UOP CoM ’14), I have a deep appreciation for sound and its power to connect people. And now looking through the lens of audiology, I see firsthand the barriers that hearing loss could impose, whether it’s difficulty communicating, or missing out on the lush textures of an orchestral piece. I enjoy helping my patients rediscover their hearing and minimize the impact of their hearing disorder.

I had the pleasure of studying at UOP as the inaugural AuD class. This taught me how to apply literature directly to patient-centered care. Being integrated into the clinic on Week 1 allowed me to develop clinical skills and immediately apply concepts learned in the classroom. I had a highly supportive faculty that was genuinely interested in my success and who helped me improve on my weaknesses while nurturing my strengths. I’m forever grateful for the support I had and continue to have from both my faculty and my peers.

Giving Back to University of the Pacific Audiology

Adjunct Teaching, Preceptors, and Guest Lecturing

Share your experience with the next generation of audiologists. The Audiology Department needs adjunct teachers for 10 classes per year and preceptors for 1-3 days weekly ($65/hour). Not ready to commit to a full class, but want to try it out by giving a guest lecture? We have plenty of opportunities! For more information or how to apply to the pool, contact pacificaud@pacific.edu.

Giving Back

Alumni giving is critical to ensure the legacy of the University of the Pacific Audiology. We need your support now more than ever. Please consider making a gift via PayPal @pacificaud. These funds will support future alumni events and student awards.  

Welcome Class of 2026!

We welcomed the first-year cohort, consisting of 20 dedicated students, who have smoothly transitioned into our accelerated program in the vibrant city of San Francisco. These students have excelled in their first two semesters, demonstrating consistent high performance in coursework and supervised patient care. They will be ready for their first off-campus internship this summer. We are very grateful for all of the preceptors and faculty who helped them transition into graduate school!

Student News and Events

The Hearing Project

The Hearing Project, a partnership between University of the Pacific (UOP) Hearing and Balance Center and Lodi Sunrise Rotary Club, was created with a joint mission to make hearing care more affordable and accessible to under-served adults and children in our community. Over 200 participants benefited from audiology students and faculty volunteering their time to conduct hearing screenings! We look forward to continuing working with the Rotary Club on improving hearing healthcare for the public and leave a lasting, positive impact on our community.

Hearing Aid Workshop with Resound

Dr. Fadi Najem invited Resound to his amplification class for a demonstration on their product portfolio, software and hearing aid accessories/connectivity.

Hearing Screening at Project Homeless Connect

We completed a successful Hearing Screening event at Project Homeless Connect! Thanks to the incredible support and participation of our community members, we were able to provide vital hearing health services to those in need.

Student Scholarship Recipients

Three outstanding students have been honored with nationally competitive awards in the field of audiology. Heartfelt congratulations to each of you for your remarkable dedication and achievements!

Department News

We are thrilled to welcome aboard two new clinical preceptors, Drs. Kopplin and Wiseman, who are dedicated to training our first-year students. Danielle Kopplin, Au.D. (University of the Pacific, Audiology Graduate, Class of 2023) is a Clinical Audiologist at Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF). Bethany Wiseman, Au.D. is the Audiology Section Chief at the San Francisco VA Healthcare System. Their expertise and commitment to clinical education are invaluable additions to our team. Welcome!

The Clinical Audiology Research (CAR) Lab, co-directed by Drs. Fadi Najem and Celia Zhang is up and running. The lab is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to conduct cutting-edge research related to auditory electrophysiology, hearing aids, and auditory processing. The CAR Lab helps students fulfil their research goals with publications and presentations at conferences.

Connect with Alumni and Current Students

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  • Audiology Program
  • University of the Pacific, Stockton Hearing and Balance Center
• Instagram
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  • University of the Pacific, Stockton Hearing and Balance Center

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