Olsen honored for work with rural telehealth

Trevor Olsen was recently presented the 2026 Deborah LaMarche Telehealth Excellence Award.
Olsen, Associate Director at the University of Utah, was honored by the Rural Health Association of Utah (RHAU), in partnership with the Utah Telehealth Network, in recognition of his outstanding leadership in advancing telehealth and school-based mental health services in rural Utah.
The Deborah LaMarche Telehealth Excellence Award is presented annually to an individual or organization in Utah that has demonstrated exemplary achievement in telehealth – including policy development, program innovation, technology adoption, provider or patient support, education, and training.
The award is named in honor of Deborah LaMarche, a pioneer in Utah telehealth who spent more than 25 years supporting telemedicine programs across the state.
In his role as Associate Director at the University of Utah, Olsen has been instrumental in advancing telehealth solutions across rural Utah – especially in the school and rural-community settings.
His efforts have significantly improved access to behavioral health services for children and adolescents in underserved areas of Utah.
Olsen has been working to connect remote schools with tele-based behavioral health services and culturally responsive support systems.
Moreover, his work emphasizes culturally responsive care, integrating traditional Navajo storytelling and consultation alongside Western therapeutic techniques – an approach that has helped bridge gaps in mental health access and trust in remote communities.
The award underscores the importance of telehealth in bridging access to care in remote and underserved parts of Utah.
The Utah Telehealth Network’s mission – to expand access to healthcare services through innovative use of technology – aligns with Trevor’s work and the broader goals of rural health equity.