Joe Sonnenberg has been a member of the Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center team for 47 years, starting in a clinician’s role after earning a Master’s degree from State University College at Buffalo. In fact, Joe was the 17th person hired by BHSC and he has been a driving force in the growth of our organization ever since.
Joe will tell you he has had several careers at BHSC because there have been so many opportunities to support its mission of changing lives. “The most rewarding part of my work in every role has been in the beauty of helping people,” Joe explains. “When I started, out of school, I never envisioned we would have over 500 employees, with 10 locations in three counties, helping more than 10,000 people each year.”
Asked about the greatest challenge faced by BHSC, Joe points to keeping up with the ever growing need for our programs and services in the community. “We cover the full spectrum from pediatrics to seniors, from clinics to school programs, and the needs change all the time, he says. “We meet the challenge with a great leadership team and an exemplary staff of professionals.”
When asked the question, “How do you measure success in a career spanning nearly half a century?” Joe responds that “it’s not the number of years or titles that matter. Rather, it is the moments where an individual client or student of Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center has a breakthrough. These breakthrough moments help to transform their lives. To me, that is success,” Joe says.
As a mentor to new staff members himself, Joe advises those starting out in the field to find themselves a mentor and do the hard work. “I give lectures at colleges where I tell students to focus on what they can do for their employer or organizations,” he counsels.
Joe resides in Derby with his wife of 47 years and they have three adult children. A dedicated runner, Joe has run 10 marathons, and at this writing is preparing for the New York City Marathon.
