CI Conference Program Committee
American Cochlear Implant Alliance initiated a new process for development of the scientific program for our annual conferences in 2021. We formed the ACI Alliance Conference Program Committee composed of individuals from institutions across the United States and Canada. Conference Committee members serve three year terms.
The Program Committee is selected through an application process to guide the development of the CI conference scientific program. This format provides opportunities for members to contribute to our conference. Our Conference Program Committee is chosen to be geographically broad; include representatives from a diverse set of institutions and practice types; and incorporate a breadth and depth of training and knowledge (i.e., clinicians across the care continuum, educators, and scientists). Program Committee Members are expected to attend at least 75% of all committee meetings, which are held virtually in the evening approximately once a month. It is hoped that Program Committee Members will attend CI Conferences during the years that they serve.
Locations Selected First to Ensure Efficiency and Geographic Balance
This conference organizing method has allowed us to competitively select locations and venues that best serve the logistical and economic needs of our conferences. It also allows us to better respond to member requests to hold the conference in geographically dispersed locations. The Conference Program Committee members serve three years and then rotate off, permitting continuity in committee membership while encouraging participation of new individuals in program planning. ACI Alliance staff continue to oversee conference management, allowing for continuous improvement of the meeting.
All Conferences Now Cover Pediatric and Adult Content
All future CI conferences will include pediatric and adult content. In prior years, the pediatric CI meeting was held every other year. CI2019 was the last pediatric only conference. Given that adults comprise the largest number of new recipients and an increasing number of clinicians wish to focus on cochlear implantation in adults and children, there is strong interest in the organization providing tracks for age specific topics. With the rapid rate of change in the field and concerns related to how to manage the growing number of new recipients (along with the installed base of patients who must be cared for over their lifetime), our conference interests have expanded to include research to practice topics related to serving this population in a challenging healthcare environment. Additionally, we have been asked that our conferences more intensively explore (re)habilitation in children and adults who receive cochlear implants. In 2021, we initiated an afternoon symposium to focus on pediatric habilitation and education of children who are deaf and hard of hearing.
Inaugural Conferences Committee
The Board of Directors selected the new committee to reflect individuals from across the care continuum and from around the United States and from overseas. The Program Committee Members for CI2024 included the following:
2025 Conference Program Committee
Keri Colio AuD (Co-Chair); Rady Children's Hospital San Diego
Esther Vivas MD (Co-Chair); Emory University Hospital
Nicholas Deep MD; Mayo Clinic Arizona
Jolie Fainberg AuD; Atlanta Institute for ENT
Lisa Goldin PhD, CCC-A; NYU Cochlear Implant Center
Karen Gordon PhD; University of Toronto (CA)
Michael Harris MD; Medical College of Wisconsin
Barbara Hecht PhD; Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech
David Horn MD; Seattle Children’s Hospital
Jacob Hunter MD; Jefferson Balance and Hearing Center
Eun Kyung (Julie) Jeon PhD, AuD; University of Iowa
Rebecca Lewis AuD; Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Alexandria Mestres MS; University of Miami
Elicia Pillion AuD; Walter Reed Medical Center
Doug Sladen PhD, CCC-A, AuD; University of British Columbia
Molly Smeal AuD, CCC/A; Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center
Viral Tejani AuD, PhD; University Hospital Cleveland
Kevin Zhan MD; Northwestern Medicine Group
