Student/Fellowship Clinical Opportunties
Graduate audiology students may complete their clinical experience requirement by applying for a Fellowship opportunity with the Marion Downs Hearing Center during their final year of school.
Our Fellowship rotates through audiology specialties with continual experience with audiometric assessment and amplification. Specialties include:
- Pediatrics
- Vestibular
- Cochlear Implants
The philosophy of our program is to give students exposure and experience with different specialties and potentially discover a sub-specialty that interests them. However, we do make every effort to tailor the experience to each student's needs and interests. All of our audiologists hold the ASHA CCC-A and graduate students practice under their supervisor's license.
Students interested in applying for the 2012-2013 year should submit their CV and a letter of intent by November 1, 2011 with the following information:
- Previous experience (current and plan to have) before beginning 4th year
- Interests and expectations for 4th year experience
- Letters of recommendation from clinical supervisors
Top candidates will be interviewed (in person or by phone) by December 15th and final decisions made by early January.
Applications can be sent to us electronically at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by mail to:
Marion Downs Hearing Center
Attn: Dr. Sandra Gabbard
1793 Quentin Street, Unit 2
Aurora, CO 80045
Current 4th Year AuD Fellows (2011-2012)
James Hatten Howard
Hatten is currently a 4th year clinical extern from the University of Colorado-Boulder. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1998 with a B.A. in Psychology. His interest in audiology initially stemmed from his curiosity with how people acquire language. Although he enjoys learning just about anything, he has a particular interest in working with cochlear implants and, more recently, vestibular evaluation. Hatten's capstone research project examines the preservation of residual hearing following cochlear implant surgery. Aside from clinic, Hatten loves travelling, playing outside, hearing (okay, telling) really bad jokes, and experiencing the kindness of strangers.
Kathleen O'Brien
Kathleen O’Brien graduated from Butler University in 2007 where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Disorders. She is currently a 4th year audiology extern at the Marion Downs Hearing Center at the University of Colorado Hospital. She started the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) program at the University of Illinois in 2008 and has since been particularly interested in pediatric audiology. Kathleen is actively working to expand her pediatric knowledge base by participating in the LEND traineeship through JFK Partners at UCH. Upon graduation, she would like to continue working with children with hearing loss and their families as well as with adult and pediatric cochlear implant recipients in a clinical setting. Kathleen is a student member of the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) and is currently finishing her research focused on noise-induced hearing loss in musicians, particularly the Great Highland Bagpipe player. As a recent "transplant" from Chicago, in her spare time she enjoys exploring the beautiful outdoors of Colorado with family and friends, kayaking, photography, art, and live music.
Michelle Reiter
Michelle Reiter graduated from the University of Coloradoin 2007, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences and Elementary Education. Currently she is a 4th year Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) student at the University of North Carolinaand is completing her externship year at the Marion Downs Hearing Center. As an Au.D. student, Michelle received the Pediatric Audiology Training Grant and participated in the LEND traineeship program. Michelle’s primary interests involve the early diagnosis and treatment of infants and children with hearing loss. She is a student member of theAmericanAcademyof Audiology and the Colorado Academy of Audiology. In her free time, Michelle enjoys running, camping, skiing and spending time with her family and friends.
