2025 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 9-11, 2025 • Pittsburgh, PA
DAVID L. LAWRENCE CONVENTION CENTER
3/10/2025 | 1:55 PM - 2:25 PM | A Prescription for Success | 317/318
A Prescription for Success
In the first years of life, our Deaf/Hard of Hearing children will encounter more physicians than anyone could ever anticipate. Wouldn't it be amazing for those physicians to understand what "hearing loss" really means - far past the medical textbook definition? What if the doctor had experiences like: regularly visiting a school/program for Deaf children, teaching lessons on first aid, meeting Deaf adults, knowing a child's providers and family? What if the doctor participated in workshops along side the child and family - learning with them every step of the way? Students at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (GCSOM) have that unique opportunity. First year medical students won't refer to the textbook when they see "hearing loss" in a child's chart but instead will fondly remember their community immersion experience with the "littles" and their families. They will recall that little face looking up at them at one of the many event and activities. These future physicians will recall the families stories of their hearing loss journey and will be very aware of the challenges and successes as they navigate their "new normal". At GCSOM, there is a three tiered approach to educating future physicians about hearing loss and the world of possibilities for our children. With this unique component of their training, we have had the pleasure of watching our medical students graduate with a deeper understanding and appreciation of Deafness and become more compassionate, understanding providers of care to the Deaf community. Learn about our program, meet the medical students and see what you can implement. Physicians who really know their patients, become physicians who advocate for their patients. We think you would agree - Deaf children can never have too many folks in your corner!
- Participants will identify opportunities to engage with the families of children with hearing loss.
- Participants will identify the possible tiers in developing a Deaf Awareness program at a medical school.
- Participants will identify basic strategies for medical provider to successfully interact with children with hearing loss.
Presentation:
3545975_18144MARY ANNSTEFKO.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
James Ng
(Co-Presenter), GCSOM, jng2@som.geisinger.edu;
James Ng is originally from New York City. A graduate of New York University with a major in Biology, James is currently a medical student where he is working toward becoming a primary care physician who gives back to the community. Having the opportunity to volunteer at the Scranton School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children allowed James to gain a deeper appreciation for children with hearing loss and their families which inspires him to support the Deaf community as a future physician.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Jasmine Pabla
(Co-Presenter), SSDHHC, jpabla@som.geisinger.edu;
Jasmine Pabla has a B.S. in Neuroscience and Psychology and currently attends Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine as a second year medical student. She is engaged in the community immersion project with the Scranton School which has facilitated meaningful interactions with children and parents. This project hopes to teach medical student to become competent and compassionate physicians for Deaf and Hard of Hearing patients!
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Sophia Ballinger
(Co-Presenter), GCSOM, sballinger@som.geisinger.edu;
Sophia Ballinger grew up in California before moving to Austin to attend the University of Texas where she studied Neuroscience and Business. She is currently a medical student at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. My work with the children and families from the Choices for Children program have broadened my perspectives and deepened ny understanding of how to support the Deaf community as a future physician. The insights I have gained through this experience have truly enriched my life.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Kelsey Kline
(Co-Presenter), SSDHHC, kkline6@som.geisinger.edu;
Kelsey Kline is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a BS in Neuroscience and Psychology and currently a second-year medical student at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. A native of Northeast PA, Kelsey has had an interest in the Deaf community since childhood which inspired her to obtain the ASL Certificate from the University of Pittsburgh. One of her goals is to support the Deaf community in accessing quality medical care - beginning at a young age!
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Isabella Galenas
(Co-Presenter), SSDHHC, Igalenas1@geisinger.edu;
Isabella Galenas was born and raised in Scranton, PA. A graduate of The Catholic University of America with a degree in biology, Isabella moved to Philadelphia before coming back to her roots and the area that she is most familiar to attend GCSOM. A community that Isabella wanted to learn more about was the Deaf/Hard of Hearing community and her work with The Scranton School allowed for that experience. It has brought a new perspective and much joy to her life. Enjoying working with the students and families, has added new insights that Isabella hopes to bring to her work as a future physician.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Errien Williams
(Co-Presenter), SSDHHC, ewilliams4@som.geisinger.edu;
Originally from Norwich, Connecticut; Errien Williams is a second year medical student at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. She attended King's College where she received a bachelor's of science degree in biology with a minor in psychology. While at GCSOM, Errien has had the opportunity to meet with Deaf children and their families from the Scranton School. Through this interaction, she has been able to build personal connections with them. This has increased her awareness of the Deaf community and led her to want to support Deaf/Hard of Hearing people in her work as a physician.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Isabel Miller
(Co-Presenter), SSDHHC, imiller@som.geisinger.edu;
Isabel Miller graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2022 with a BS in Molecular Biology and minors in Theatre, Chemistry and Spanish. Isabel has worked as a scribe in Adolescent Medicine during her gap year and realized that knowing just a little of an ESL family's first language to say HI makes a huge difference in the patient relationship. Knowing that, Isabel is learning as much about ASL and the Deaf community as possible to be prepared to make future Deaf and Hard of Hearing patients more comfortable.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Helena Eby
(Co-Presenter), SSDHHC, HEby2@som.geisinger.edu;
Helena Eby is a 2024 graduate of the Master of Biosciences program at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. She has worked with the ASL club at the school to plan and implement learning activities with children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing. In the process of applying to medical school, Helena hopes to bring her interest in the Deaf community to the clinical setting to help patients within the community.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
MARY ANN STEFKO
(Primary Presenter), SSDHHC, mstefko@thescrantonschool.org;
MaryAnn Stefko is a graduate of Penn State University with a Bachelors degree in Communication Disorders and a Masters of Education in Counseling. She has been a teacher of the Deaf for over 30 years. Over the course of her career, Mary Ann has been a classroom teacher, school based therapist educational interpreter and mainstream coordinator. She has worked with children in a School for the Deaf as well as mainstream settings. MaryAnn is currently the Early Intervention therapist at the Scranton School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children in Scranton, PA. She is also an adjunct professor at the University of Scranton. Her passion is teaching/coaching children and families who are beginning their hearing loss journey.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.