2025 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference

March 9-11, 2025 • Pittsburgh, PA

DAVID L. LAWRENCE CONVENTION CENTER

  • A female audiologist using a medical device on a small baby girl.
  • A young girl wearing a hijab sits on a woman's lap, both smiling as they listen attentively to a doctor holding a medical instrument.
  • A young boy with a cochlear implant stands next to a woman holding a toy, while they both engage in a video call with another woman on a computer screen.
  • Two young boys playing with puppets at a table. One boy is wearing a hearing aid.
  • A woman and a young boy sit at a table, engaging in a sign language conversation with another woman. The boy is focused on his hands, practicing the signs, while the woman guides him.
  • A young child with wet hair and swimming goggle on their hand stands outdoors, wrapped in a blue-striped towel and wearing a cochlear implant.
  • A woman touches her fingertips together and smiles at a toddler who is holding a colorful ball.
  • A woman sits at a desk using a desktop computer to video chat with a man and a young girl. The young girl is holding Legos above her head.
  • A young girl with a cochlear implant smiles at a woman who is smiling back.
  • A young boy with a cochlear implant playing with an educational bead maze toy while a woman attentively listens and engages with him.
  • Two men smile and interact with a baby.
  • A young child sitting at a table in a classroom, attentively observing a teacher demonstrating something with an Oreo cookie.
  • Two young boys playing with puppets at a table. One boy is wearing a hearing aid.
  • A young boy with a cochlear implant stands next to a woman holding a toy, while they both engage in a video call with another woman on a computer screen.
  • A woman touches her fingertips together and smiles at a toddler who is holding a colorful ball.
  • A young boy with a cochlear implant looks through a microscope in a laboratory setting.
  • A woman excitedly reads a Christmas book to a young girl wearing a headband and a cochlear implant.
  • A young girl with a cochlear implant smiles at a woman who is smiling back.
  • A young boy wearing a bone conduction hearing device plays attentively with a toy mailbox in a playroom.
  • Two young boys playing with puppets at a table. One boy is wearing a hearing aid.
  • A man holds a young child while listening to a doctor, who is dressed in a white coat and seated at a desk with a tablet in front of him.
  • A baby sleeps peacefully, wrapped in a pink blanket with a pacifier in their mouth. A hand gently places a hearing test device in the baby's ear, while a medical monitor is visible nearby.
  • A young boy wearing a bone conduction hearing device plays attentively with a toy mailbox in a playroom.

Award Winner/Nominee Details 2023

<< Back

Terri Ibieta

We are honored to nominate Terri Ibieta for the 2023 Antonia Brancia Maxon Award for EHDI Excellence. Terri has been with the Louisiana EHDI program since 2002. Prior to this, she worked as a certified classroom teacher of the deaf, and as a parent educator with the Louisiana School for the Deaf. Her experience providing service to families of young children who are deaf/hard of hearing afforded her a wealth of knowledge, which she enthusiastically brought to her role with EHDI. Terri is knowledgeable in all aspects of EHDI, including hearing testing, parent communications, early intervention, family-to-family support, and education of professionals.

Terri has been a leader in the Louisiana EHDI program. Instrumental in the creation, design, and development of LAEHDI-IS, she worked with database developers to create the database, and continues to enhance the function, design, and user interface on a regular basis. During Terri's tenure, substantial improvements have been made in reporting, reduction of errors, and training for hospitals and outpatient providers. Terri routinely examines data reports and utilizes her analytical abilities to identify problems and create unique solutions to address the issues she finds. One of her most outstanding attributes is that she encourages change and progress, even when it is uncomfortable. She considers the success of the program a priority, and this is reflected in her work ethic. Terri is always willing to offer her perspective and challenge the status quo. As an influencer on the EHDI team, she encourages her colleagues to think creatively and to be innovative.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the LA EHDI team had to adapt their processes to ensure that hearing screening and follow-up were not interrupted. Terri led the successful implementation of transitioning to virtual processes and supporting the EHDI team through the challenges. She approached this as an opportunity to develop progressive measures to ensure EHDI remained focused and successful. These initiatives were thoughtfully implemented in such a way that they are sustained, not temporary fixes. Additionally, an important part of the EHDI program is monitoring loss to follow up (LTFU). Through the years Terri has helped develop procedures and mechanisms to reduce LTFU in Louisiana, through conduction of Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA). Terri does not shy away from the pursuit of effectiveness, and all program activities are implemented with 'Quality' continuous improvement methods, and utilization of strategies learned through NICHQ.

Terri's role produces many tangible deliverables and results. However, her bright personality and positive attitude bring joy and influence the culture of the team. She is a passionate encourager, and her influence reaches beyond the team into the entire Bureau of Family Health, the EHDI Advisory Council, and external partners. Illustrated by the ongoing support and guidance she provides, Terri unwaveringly advocates for the most important part of the program - the support of children and their families. Her pure dedication to improving outcomes for children who are deaf/hard of hearing make her a deserving candidate for this award. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.

© 2024 Event Services [Utah State University]. All Rights Reserved