The Ear Community announces it’s newest Board of Directors Member, Dr. Kripa Raman.
“We would like to welcome Dr. Kripa Raman to Ear Community’s Board of Directors, says Melissa Tumblin, Founder and Executive Director of the Ear Community Organization. I have had the honor of knowing Kripa over the past four years. She has already been doing incredible work in our community, helping make connections and advocate for our microtia and atresia families in the Ontario area and all over Canada! I am grateful for her help and her shared passion for helping our children as well as her dedication to our microtia and atresia community!”
Kripa is a mother to two boys in Ontario, Canada. Her oldest son, Jahnu, was born with unilateral microtia and atresia of his left ear. Currently he is unaided and thriving! Kripa has a PhD in Molecular Biology and Genetics from McMaster University. She works in pharmaceuticals leading health economic assessments to secure funding for new therapeutics. Her advanced scientific and healthcare background has been very helpful when navigating the Canadian health care system and advocating for her son. When she is not entertaining the boys, she is planning their next family trip, listening to an audiobook, or trying a new recipe.
Kripa has been the organizer behind the Ontario Ear Community picnic in both 2023 and 2025. For her, these events are all about connection. “Given the rarity of microtia, I felt quite lonely after the initial diagnosis. Balancing new motherhood with those
unknowns was a source of anxiety, but finding the Ear Community online gave me the connection I needed. The picnics are amazing since for many kids, it’s the first time they’ve ever seen little ears like their own. I want my son to know he belongs to a community, and seeing him meet others just like him is so special.”
Board Members for the Ear Community Organization consist of members of the community that include individuals who were born with microtia and aural atresia, family members and medical professionals. “It is important for our community to be informed of all options for microtia and aural atresia, says Melissa Tumblin, Founder of Ear Community. It is also important to hear from parents, like Kripa, and to see how her family journey with microtia and atresia is going. It is incredibly helpful for children and adults and their families to see what others in the community are doing regarding the decisions they make along the way on their journey. This is where advocates can play a big part in helping others understand decisions and choices and also to help give some perspective when talking with others in the same situation”.
“We are looking forward to Kripa joining our board,” said Ear Community Founder, Melissa Tumblin! Our community is made up of amazing advocates and role models and Kripa is already an amazing advocate in our community! We are honored to have her serve on our Board as she continues helping families and community members in Canada who have microtia and aural atresia!”
Melissa Tumblin
Founder – Executive Director
Ear Community
About Melissa Tumblin
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