Engage, Empower, Lead
The SAA was founded in 2009 after NAFDA (National Association of Future Doctors of Audiology) approached the AAA for support. Various professional healthcare organizations have affiliated student institutions, such as the American Medical Association-Medical Student Section (AMA-MSS) as well as the American Psychological Association (APA), the American Dental Association (ADA), the American Nurses Association (ANA), and the American Veterinary Association (AVA). All have student sections that work together with the parent organization to achieve common goals. In October 2008, Dr. Brian Vesely, the former NAFDA President, and Dr. Patrick Feeney, the former AAA President, signed an agreement that merged NAFDA into the AAA’s student organization, the Student Academy of Audiology (SAA). The ultimate goal of the merger was to maintain an independent student voice, while maximizing the opportunities that come with joining the AAA.
The Student Academy of Audiology (SAA) is the national student division of the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) that serves as a collective voice for students and advances the rights, interests, and welfare of students pursuing careers in audiology. The SAA introduces students to lifelong involvement in activities that promote and advance the profession of audiology and provides services, information, education, representation, and advocacy for both the profession and consumers of audiology services. The SAA has over 2,000 members, consisting of students enrolled in AuD, PhD, post-baccalaureate, undergraduate, or other accredited audiology doctoral programs for a professional degree in audiology.