Deafness Research Foundation (DRF) celebrated its 50th anniversary at a star-studded gala reception on May 14, 2008, at the Hudson Theatre in New York City. President William J. Clinton was the honorary co-chair of the event and DRF Board Member Elizabeth Eberhardt Thorp was the 2008 Celebration chair.
Robert J. Ruben, M.D., who is a member of the 2008 Gala Committee and the DRF Council of Scientific Trustees, presented Senator Tom Harkin with the DRF Leadership Award for his commitment to hearing health and his work on behalf of those who are living with hearing loss, including his efforts in the formation of the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
Richard T. Miyamoto, M.D., DRF board member and president of The Centurions, presented Lucille Beck, Ph.D., with the DRF Research and Public Education Award. Dr. Beck is chief consultant, Rehabilitation Services and the director of the Audiology and Speech Pathology Program in the Office of Patient Care Services, Veterans Health Administration for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). President Clinton acknowledged Dr. Beck’s work in 2000 when she became the first audiologist to receive the prestigious Presidential Rank Award for “sustained extraordinary achievement in the management of programs of the United States government and leadership exemplifying the highest standards of service to the public, reflecting credit on the career civil service.” It is because of her efforts in supporting research and public education, both within the VA and audiology in general, that DRF honored her this year.
The evening’s greatest honor went to DRF Founder Mrs. Collette Ramsey Baker, who received the DRF Lifetime Achievement Award. Mrs. Ramsey Baker’s dedication and vision have resulted in over 2,100 grants, totaling over $24 million, awarded by DRF to researchers in the field of hearing and balance science. Though Mrs. Ramsey Baker was not able to attend the celebration, she provided a videotaped message to the guests, and her daughters, Mrs. Collette Wynn and Mrs. Janet Conrad, accepted the award on Mrs. Ramsey Baker’s behalf.
DRF was also proud to receive a proclamation by New York City Councilmember Tony Avella, commemorating DRF’s 50th Anniversary.
Among the attendees at the celebration were Lee and Bob Woodruff, their daughters Nora and Claire, and “One Life to Live” actors Kassie and Jim DePaiva and their son JQ. Kassie delighted the guests as she sang songs from her latest album, “I Want to Love You.” During the program, JQ DePaiva, who has bilateral cochlear implants and recently had a role on “All My Children,” recognized some of the great researchers who have been funded by DRF. The DePaiva family has worked for years with DRF to advance legislation that would require all newborns to have their hearing tested shortly after birth.
DRF is grateful to everyone who celebrated and supported this important milestone, our 50th anniversary celebration. Please visit www.drf.org for more photographs of the celebration.
