University of Miami Audiology Professionals Recognized by American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
October 15, 2021
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Daniela Berrios and Molly Smeal, two audiology professionals from the University of Miami Health System, received the Distinguished Early Career Professional (ECP) certificate from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).The award was created by ASHA to recognize and identify ECPs in the fields of audiology and speech-language pathology who are making an impact in the areas of leadership, volunteering, or advocacy at the local, state, and/or national level.
Daniela Berrios, M.A., CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert AVEd, is an ASHA-certified and Florida licensed speech-language pathologist. She currently works at the University of Miami Debbie Institute auditory oral education program providing listening and spoken language-based intervention for young children who are deaf/hard of hearing. In addition to the ECP, Daniela also obtained certification as a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist Auditory Verbal Educator from the Alexander Graham Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language. She is one of just over 1,000 professionals world-wide with this credential. She has served on a variety of professional organization committees and presented nationally. She received her master's degree from the University of Central Florida.
Molly Smeal Au.D., CCC/A, FAAA, is a clinical audiologist and researcher in the Division of Audiology at the University of Miami. She is an assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology. Dr. specializes in cochlear implants, auditory implants, and single-sided deafness. She also works in a genetic hearing loss research lab, specifically supporting studies in the area of implantable device outcomes relative to genetic hearing loss. Dr. Smeal has led and participated in several subcommittees focused on clinical quality control. She was the first post-doctoral clinical fellow in Audiology at the University of Miami Ear Institute and plans to continue working to develop and shape the Division's clinical fellowship program. She is a published author and presenter. Dr. Smeal is involved in several national audiology organizations and is an active participant on associated committees.
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Department of Otolaryngology Chief of Audiology and Associate Professor Hillary Snapp, Au.D., Ph.D., congratulated the recipients. "This is a recognition of the great work they are doing on behalf of our patients, our professions, and our community," she said.
Dr. Daniel Armstrong, director of the Mailman Center for Child Development, also noted that the recognition is an opportunity for further collaboration between the Mailman Center and the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Miami. The two departments are currently working together on cochlear implant training under a new grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
