THE ANTONIA BRANCIA MAXON AWARD FOR EHDI EXCELLENCE
Susan Wiley
Throughout the years, Dr. Wiley has demonstrated tireless and passionate advocacy for all children with hearing loss. In particular, she has created an environment for positive outcomes for the many children who are deaf or hard of hearing with additional developmental disabilities. This population of children has all too often been left out of the spot light in both the clinical and research realm. Dr. Wiley has pushed the nation to pay special attention in maximizing outcomes for all children, leaving no one out. She forgoes her own personal academic agenda for the agenda of families. In doing so she has made people more confident with children who have disabilities, more open to the idea of embracing children with all levels of ability, and has made the world a better place because of it.
As a developmental pediatrician, Dr. Wiley sits on the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Board for the state of Ohio and is the Ohio EHDI Chapter Champion. In this role, she has been instrumental in helping Ohio align with the National EDHI mission and vision. She is a consistent voice of reason and has provided many opportunities for members of the board to think outside the box when it comes to providing the best opportunities for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Her research and clinical expertise coupled with her personal passion has transformed our current understanding regarding outcomes for children who have additional developmental disabilities. She advocated for children with disabilities to receive cochlear implants when no other institution was willing to do so. She allows families to be comfortable with their communication strategy choices, no matter what those choices are. She has created an environment of acceptance and respect in the field of EHDI and is held in high regard because of it. Her families adore her and her colleagues admire her.
There is not one noteworthy accomplishment, but many bold steps over the years towards challenging and improving our system to be inclusive of all children across all abilities. Susan Wiley embodies the true spirit of the Antonia Brancia Maxon Award in how she approaches work and most importantly in how she approaches life.