2025 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 9-11, 2025 • Pittsburgh, PA
Award Winner/Nominee Details 2024
Lylis Olsen
On behalf of Arizona EHDI, The EAR Foundation of Arizona, and Arizona Hands & Voices we nominate Lylis Olsen for the 2024 Antonia Brancia Maxon Award for EHDI Excellence. Lylis Olsen has been a pioneer in Arizona, and across the US, establishing and improving EHDI programs for more than 25 years. Her passion, dedication, compassion, leadership skills, mentorship, and continued involvement has led to significant improvements across the EHDI system and impacted so many lives.
For more than 22 years, The HEAR for Kids program, which Lylis developed and continues to manage, ensures children in need are provided with loaner cochlear implants or hearing aids, permanent hearing aids, and access to all levels of diagnostic audiology services. She has led legislative and advocacy efforts to establish the Arizona Newborn Hearing Screening program and improvements over the years.
Lylis understands the impact that parents have and her child-centered, family-focused vision for EHDI is being realized through the Arizona Chapter of Hands & Voices. Lylis was responsible for the initiation of the recruitment and mentoring of parents to establish and maintain a chapter of Hands & Voices in Arizona since 2007. What sets Lylis apart is her ability to see how parents play a critical role in the success of the EHDI system. Under her leadership and mentorship Arizona Hands & Voices has continued to thrive with strong parent leadership and strong participation within AzEHDI.
As the Arizona EHDI Coordinator, her focus has remained unwavering when faced with challenges and kept the momentum of EHDI moving forward year after year. Lylis is able to decipher the complexities of the laws, policies, and best practices that govern EHDI. Lylis is also able to embrace the interconnectedness of all the entities involved in serving families including; providers, early interventionists, local, state and federal agencies, early childhood programs and of course the most importantly, the child.
Lylis's knowledge and experience is called upon by her colleagues and she is highly respected by her peers as demonstrated by her leadership in EHDI Chats and her participation on many joint projects. Lylis participates on numerous State and National committees and is an active member in several professional organizations.
Lylis Olsen embraces qualities that are required to be an effective leader, mentor and visionary. She has been and remains a true champion for families and the work of EHDI. Lylis exemplifies EHDI excellence which is why we wholeheartedly and without reservation nominate her for the 2024 Antonia Brancia Maxon Award for EHDI Excellence.