Edmister, Andrea, R

Beacon Medical Group ENT and Audiology South Bend, located in the Navarre building adjacent to Memorial Hospital, provides comprehensive ENT and Audiology services. Dr. David J. Isaacson is a Board Certified Otolaryngologist with special interests in: thyroid and parathyroid surgery, head and neck cancer, cochlear implantation, facial reconstruction, DaVinci robotic surgery of the head and neck, and endoscopic pituitary surgery. Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat) Treatment of sinus/allergy disorders and minimally invasive sinus surgery available. Our physician has expertise in treating chronic ear infections, hearing loss, dizziness, thyroid disorders and a variety of other ear, nose and throat problems for pediatric and adult patients. Audiology The science of hearing, balance, and related disorders. Audiologists are experts in diagnosing and managing disorders of the auditory and balance system. The brands of hearing devices we fit, service, and program are Cochlear Americas, Phonak, ReSound and Oticon. If you are looking for a new provider and already wear hearing aids and/or have a Cochlear Americas implanted device, our audiologists are more than happy to help you transfer care.

About Tricia L. Moreno There were a couple of early-life events that influenced the path of Tricia L. Moreno, AuD. When she was in first grade, she had articulation issues and was taken out of class for speech therapy. She thought this therapy was a blast. “Who wouldn’t want to play the role of the therapist and have just as much fun,” she recalls thinking. Then in high school, Tricia had a teacher/coach who mentioned that his son had a severe hearing loss and required audiology appointments. This was the beginning of her thinking about a career in speech and hearing. Tricia studied at Indiana University, Bloomington, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing Sciences, due to being inspired by a late aunt who was a speech and language pathologist. Tricia then went on to earn her master’s degree in Audiology. She graduated from A.T. Still University of Health Sciences, Mesa, Arizona, with her Doctorate in Audiology. Her role as a provider is to fit people with the right hearing aid for their situation. “I complete audiological testing for all ages. I dispense hearing aids. My passion is fitting and the follow-up with hearing aid users,” she says. Through professional education and values instilled by her family, Tricia has also believed her goals can be achieved with hard work. Professional experience has been in a range of audiologic services in an ENT/audiology setting at clinics and hospitals for pediatric through geriatric populations. Her approach to her practice is that everyone matters and she will do what she can to help. She hopes her patients appreciate her straight-forward approach to their treatment. “I provide truth,” Tricia says. In her own words… Who is or was the most influential people/role models in your life? Easy – my parents. What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? Serving at weddings. I worked 4-5 hours on Saturday nights and got to eat some of the Polish wedding food leftovers. I got paid $5/night and went to Dairy Queen afterwards and spent half the pay. What is your favorite food? Movie? Favorite foods: I’m pretty picky. I don’t have a favorite food, but I do crave desserts! Favorite movie: I don’t have a favorite movie, but I like comedies more than any other kind of movie. What was your best/worst subjects in school growing up? I loved math – it just made sense to me. High school chemistry was a struggle for me. If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why? My mom. I miss her. In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? I enjoy making the most out of my day, every day. Now that our sons are adults, and they are doing their own great things in life, my husband and I spend an excessive amount of time with our three Goldendoodles. We also make sure we travel with our best friends (also empty nesters) at least annually. What are your hobbies, interests? Working out, family time and goofing off with our dogs. What is something most people don’t know about you? When I was in elementary school, I won the gold in the Junior Olympics in Judo.

Dr. David Isaacson is the only person in his family to enter the medical field. In fact, inspired by his father, he initially majored in Electrical Engineering. "I was also passionate about the craft of model making," he explains. "My father and I would spend hours creating replicas of ships and airplanes." During his freshman year at Virginia Tech, however, all that changed. He had the opportunity to shadow a local physician on a few overnight shifts in the emergency room. "I realized that the human body presented some of the most complex problems that could be solved through physical intervention. This is what drew me to the craft of surgery and a career in medicine." In particular, it was the challenges and diversity presented by the face and neck that drew him to specialize in otolaryngology. "In addition to being the primary means of how we are perceived by others," he says, "the face is the means through which we see, hear, smell and breathe. Even a smile can be lost because of trauma, cancer, or a congenital defect in the face." As an otolaryngologist, he is often called upon to restore form and function to this critical and complex area of the body. From the newborn to the elderly, Dr. Isaacson believes in treating each patient with the same care and concern as he would his own family member. "When they are in my care, patients have my full attention and commitment to their health and well-being. They motivate me to continuously improve and to deliver the best care possible." In his own words… Who is or was the most influential person/role model in your life? My residency director, Dr. Scott Stringer. Dr. Stringer emphasized the importance of an in-depth knowledge of the human anatomy and how this is a prerequisite for optimal patient care. What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? I was a violin instructor and played as a professional violinist through college. I enjoyed meeting other musicians and having the opportunity to partake in performances like operas and ballets. In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? I am passionate about being the best father I can be to my three children. Teaching medical students at IU School of Medicine has been another passion of mine since moving to the South Bend area 21 years ago. In my spare time I enjoy traveling, cycling and cooking with my kids. What is something most people don’t know about you? While I was on faculty at the University of Florida, I served as a physician to space shuttle astronauts. Also, I provide pro bono care for many of the animals at the Potawatomi Zoo. My most famous patient at the zoo is a chimpanzee called Babyface.