The Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources Associate Board is comprised of young adults directly affected by hearing loss, either personally or professionally. We proudly have some of the first generation of cochlear implant recipients sitting on our Associate Board, guiding and giving back. In addition, our dedicated Associate Board members are early intervention experts, teachers of the deaf/ hard of hearing in both private and public schools in Illinois, and professionals with a family connection to hearing loss. Through their mentorship program and community gatherings, the Associate Board works to create connections for kids with hearing loss.
Thank you to the Little Owl Social Pub and all of our friends and donors who came out to support Cheers and Beers for Ears – Our Fundraiser for Loaner Hearing Aid Banks throughout Chicagoland. We raised almost $7,500.00!
Help us reach our goal of $10,000
Donate today and Help kids with Hearing Loss
THE ASSOCIATE BOARD
Kiersten Flynn
Kiersten graduated from Illinois State University with her BS in Special Education as a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She taught at Child’s Voice in Wood Dale, IL for 5 years in their school program as a small group teacher. She worked in both the pre-school and school aged departments. In this role she worked with students on language and vocabulary development, listening and speaking skills, as well as reading and math academic content. Kiersten started this year in CPS in one of their cluster programs for DHH students at Jamieson Elementary School. She is currently working with K-2nd graders. Kiersten has a deep passion for teaching. Her favorite part is being able to form connections with the students and their families. individuals.
Jamie Davidson, M.Ed, DT-H
Ms. Davidson has been working within the Deaf & Hard of Hearing field for over 8 years. She graduated from Illinois State University with a bachelor's degree in special education specializing in Deaf & Hard of Hearing. She is eager to continue and expand educational experiences and graduated from National Louis University with a master's degree in Curriculum & Instruction with Advanced Professional Specializations; concentrations in English as a Second Language (ESL) and Learning Behavior Specialist (LBS). Jamie currently works as a hearing itinerant teacher at the Cooperative Association for Special Education (CASE) with school-aged students who have a hearing loss. Jamie is also credentialed and works in early intervention as a Developmental Therapist - Hearing Specialist, supporting families and providing aural rehabilitation to children who have a hearing loss birth to 3 years of age. Aside from work, Jamie enjoys reading, skiing anywhere in the mountains and spending time with her family and friends.
Katie Farnsworth- Co-Chair
Katherine Farnsworth, AuD CCC-A
Katie completed her doctorate in Audiology in 2015 from Rush University Medical Center. Currently, she is a pediatric Audiologist at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, where she is on the cochlear implant team. Katie's lifelong ambition has been to work with children who have hearing loss; she was diagnosed with a bilateral severe hearing loss at age 2. Katie is passionate about planning events that children with hearing loss are able to connect with others. When not at the hospital, Katie enjoys spending time with her growing family and competing in triathlons.
Kelly Schlicher
Kelly graduated from University of Georgia in 2022 with her B.S.Ed. in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She is currently a 2nd year doctoral student for Audiology at Rush University. Kelly is interested in being a pediatric audiologist and is passionate about hearing conservation for all ages! She cannot wait to get involved with FHSR and help facilitate connections for children with hearing loss and their families. Throughout the years, Kelly has volunteered for numerous organizations providing hearing screeners, free clinic days, and other audiology-related tasks. She loves to get involved with volunteer work in her local community and hopes to provide more global outreach in the future. Aside from school, Kelly enjoys listening to podcasts and spending time with her friends and family.
Elise Sundberg -
Rick Denis
Rick is a Licensed Hearing Care Provider (HCP) in Illinois. Rick works with Hearing Labs and enjoys helping patients recover the joys of hearing and enhancing their quality of life. Being a Hearing Care
Provider compliments Ricks other passion, music. Rick attended Columbia School of Music and is accomplished on many instruments.
Rick has, on occasion, brought his guitar to work and played for patients before and then after they receive hearing care. The expression on their face when they clearly hear music is all the compensation Rick needs. On weekends you can find Rick in a church choir or visiting his grandparents, again with his guitar. Rick is looking forward to working with FHSR kids and helping to bring them the joy of music!
Kim Tasharski - Co-Chair
FHSR and the FHSR Associate Board were excited to gather to fundraise for Pediatric Hearing Aid Banks throughout Chicagoland
They want to thank all of the folks at Little Owl Social Pub, for hosting this fun event for 5 years!
We feel it is crucial for children with hearing loss not to miss a sound or a beat in the ordinary rhythm of their lives due to broken or lost hearing aids.
Children with hearing aids present unique challenges – devices get dropped, or lost, or just outgrown!
FHSR steps in to fund loaner hearing aid banks at pediatric clinics in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.
You can continue to support their efforts for by donating today. Every dollar raised means a brighter and healthier future for children living with Hearing Loss.
BE A PART OF IT ALL.
Join our Associate Board.
Looking for a way to connect with other young professionals in the Chicagoland area while giving back to a great cause? Volunteers for the FHSR Associate Board work collaboratively to create exciting events for deaf and hard of hearing children building a true support community for the families. Fun social gatherings and fundraising events to support loaner hearing aid programs round out the mission of the Board, which is made up of Members under 35 who have either been directly affected by hearing loss, work with deaf and hard of hearing children or have a desire to help Illinois children.