Carmen Brewer, PhD

Dr. Brewer has dedicated her career to the profession of audiology for almost 40 years. Dr. Brewer is an innovator in clinical teaching and mentoring, a pioneer in the area of delivery of clinical services, and a translational researcher whose body of work has impacted generations of audiologists. In addition, her contributions to the profession through her service on many committees, task forces, boards, and the like illustrate her dedication and commitment to her colleagues past, present, and future.

For the past 11 years, Dr. Brewer has served as the audiology section chief and research audiologist at the Otolaryngology Branch, Division of Intramural Research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD. Her current position was preceeded by a 28-year tenure at the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC, where she started her professional career as a clinical fellow and rose to the position of director of hearing and speech and administrative director of oral surgery and otolaryngology.

During her long career, Dr. Brewer has mentored countless AuD and PhD students, performing research at the NIH and at their universities, and has served on research committees or as cochair of a committee for more than 50 students. This level of dedication to the education and professional development of these young clinicians and researchers, along with her work in positioning audiology within the clinical NIH programs, sets Dr. Brewer apart from her peers.

In addition to her passion for education, Dr. Brewer has developed a body of clinically relevant research that includes nearly 130 presentations at national and international meetings. Combined with this prolific legacy of presentations, Dr Brewer has authored or coauthored more than 40 journal articles and four book chapters.

Dr. Brewer has devoted countless hours to volunteer activities including serving on the Academy’s Board of Directors, Membership Committee, and Program Committee (on ten separate occasions). Perhaps her most enduring legacy was conceiving the idea of a purposeful and comprehensive leadership training conference for early career professionals, the Jerger Future Leaders of Audiology Conference (JFLAC). This novel idea has inspired many young professionals to achieve greater levels of service and leadership.

Dr. Brewer has been the recipient of many awards including twice receiving the President’s Distinguished Service Medal from the American Academy of Audiology, and she and her work colleagues received the 2012 Director’s Award at NIH for recognition of their outstanding audiologic and vestibular clinical and research services and training of students within the NIH.

Throughout her tenure as teacher and researcher, Dr. Brewer has touched and influenced the lives of many colleagues and students. Dr. Brewer is a consummate professional and embodies the characteristics worthy of this award.