Program in Audiology and Communication Sciences - PACS at WashU Medicine

05/29/2026

Join us in celebrating National Speech-Language-Hearing Month! This is a great reminder to take care of your ears and get your hearing checked regularly. You can make an appointment with one of the amazing WashU audiologists by calling 800-437-5430. For other information and resources, visit asha.org today!

05/29/2026

Sending good vibes to the 2nd-year AuD class as they celebrate their last day of coursework before leaving for their 3rd year externship! Congratulations on reaching this milestone!

05/27/2026

Congratulations to Callie Boren, AuD (PhD student), who recently presented her poster at the International and Interdisciplinary Conference on Cognition, Aging, and Speech Communication (CASC) held at WashU Medicine in St. Louis. Her poster is based on her PhD research, "Predictors of Auditory Communication Difficulties and Hearing Empowerment in Older Adults with Hearing Loss." Co-authors include Sarah McConkey (Clinical Research Coordinator, Dept. of Otolaryngology) and Kate McClannahan, AuD, PhD (PACS Director of Undergraduate Studies).

05/27/2026

We’re so happy that Director Rachael Bradshaw and Chloe Cevan are sharing their wisdom and knowledge with our students!

We love a great interprofessional collaboration! 🌟

Program Director Rachael Bradshaw and Chloe Cevan (Lecturer/Clinical Supervisor) recently were given the opportunity to direct a course, "Genetics in Hearing Loss", for the Program in Audiology and Communication Sciences - PACS at WashU Medicine.

Today, Jessica Glunt (Class of '25) joined as a guest lecturer to present on "Psychosocial & Ethical Considerations in Genetic Testing for Hearing Loss."

Thank you to Chloe and Jessica for also demonstrating a live role play, highlighting the nuanced, critical support genetic counselors provide to parents navigating an unexpected diagnosis of hearing loss in their newborn.

05/26/2026

We're happy to share that recent graduate Natalia Matteo (AuD ’26), attended the 2026 American Cochlear Implant Alliance (ACIA) Conference in Chicago, IL as a student scholarship recipient. Also, representing the Department of Otolaryngology, Shannon Lefler, AuD (Clinical Research Coordinator, Dept. of Otolaryngology, and PACS Lecturer), presented on, "Electrocochleography Insertion Patterns and Hearing Preservation in Cochlear Implants."

05/22/2026

WashU recently hosted the first international and interdisciplinary conference on cognition, aging, and speech communication. The conference was held May 6-9 at the Eric P. New Education Center and included 85 participants from 19 U.S. states and seven countries. Conference co-hosts Kate McClannahan, AuD, PhD (PACS Director of Undergraduate Studies) and Mitchell Sommers, PhD (Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences) were excited about the turnout which included clinicians and scientists representing various areas of research, including Larry Humes, PhD (Professor Emeritus at Indiana University) who delivered the opening keynote. For details and a list of WashU presentations, read the article published in the Department of Otolaryngology's "Under the Scope" newsletter: https://oto.wustl.edu/washu-hosts-international-conference-on-cognition-aging-and-speech-communication/.

05/21/2026

We are happy to announce this year’s PACS award recipients: Wes Blythe, MSDE, received the Antoinette Frances Dames Award for outstanding scholarship in teaching children who are deaf and hard of hearing, and Alyssa Cicalo, AuD, received the Max A. Goldstein Award for outstanding academic achievement and professional promise, as judged by the faculty.

In addition, Wes and Alyssa were student marshals representing the PACS program at the University Wide Commencement held on the Danforth Campus. Congratulations, Wes and Alyssa!

05/20/2026

Special thanks to JJ Lane with Be Lovely Photography for the amazing photos! https://www.belovelyphotography.com/.

05/18/2026

Congratulations to the 2026 MSDE and AuD graduates! On Friday, May 15, 2026, we were excited to celebrate with family, friends, faculty and staff during our PACS recognition ceremony and reception held at EPNEC on the Washington University Medical Campus. More photos coming soon!

05/15/2026

Today we celebrate the Class of 2026! We are excited to recognize all of our PACS graduates during the Recognition Ceremony at 1:30 p.m. (CDT). Please join us in the celebration via livestream starting at 1:00 p.m. Visit our commencement web page for details: https://pacs.wustl.edu/class-of-2026-pacs-commencement-recognition-ceremony/

PACS Commencement Luncheon Friday, May 15, 2026EPNEC, Great Rooms A/B11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.(CDT) PACS Commencement Recognition Ceremony Friday, May 15, 2026EPNEC, Main Auditorium1:30 p.m. (CDT) PACS Commencement Reception Friday, May 15, 2026EPNEC, LobbyReception to immediately follow the ceremony...