Physician Johanna Olson joins Board of TransYouth Family Allies

Phoenix, Ariz., Tuesday, February 22, 2011 – TransYouth Family Allies (TYFA) announced today that Dr. Johanna Olson, USC Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, has joined TYFA's Board of Directors.

TYFA Executive Director Kim Pearson said, "Dr. Olson is a leading figure in the movement to provide gender variant children and adolescents with safe and ethical medical care. We are proud to have her join TYFA in our quest for a society in which all children are respected and celebrated."

Dr. Olson practices at Children's Hospital Los Angeles in the Division of Adolescent Medicine. Board certified in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Dr. Olson specializes in the care of transgender youth, gender variant children, youth with HIV, and chronic pain. She has appeared on ABC's 20/20, Dr. Phil and most recently on the OWN network's Our America with Lisa Ling to educate audiences about the needs of transgender youth. "Gender transition is a very difficult and complex process that requires knowledge, flexibility and compassion. The fantastic work of TYFA has helped hundreds of transgender children, adolescents and their families negotiate a very stressful and complicated situation. I am looking forward to working with TYFA to increase nationwide recognition and affirmation of transgender youth and families."

Recently Dr. Olson was awarded an intramural grant from the Saban Research Institute/CHLA to conduct desperately necessary research in the field of transgender youth and children. Since 1991, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and its Division of Adolescent Medicine have cared for over 400 transgender youth. The program provides comprehensive pediatric care that is gender sensitive and responsive to the needs of each child, and includes hormone therapy for adolescents and young adults who desire gender transition. The Division's Transgender Youth Program is likely the largest, oldest and most comprehensive of its kind. Today, it is a nationally funded and recognized initiative and is becoming a model for transgender services nationwide.

TransYouth Family Allies (TYFA) is a national nonprofit that empowers children and families by partnering with educators, service providers and communities to develop supportive environments in which gender may be expressed and respected. To learn more, please visit the TYFA website at www.imatyfa.org or call 1-888-IMA-TYFA.