(Feb. 9, 2009) Every baby born in the state of Colorado has Marion Downs to thank for his or her first hearing test. Downs, an internationally recognized pediatric audiologist and founder of the University of Colorado Hospital’s Marion Downs Hearing Center, this month celebrates her 95th birthday.

Downs, who developed the first universal newborn hearing screening test in 1963, was honored at a birthday celebration on the Anschutz Medical Campus last week. Well-wishers and family members, including three children, 11 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, traveled from across the country to celebrate.

During the celebration, Downs was thanked for her passion, dedication, vision and commitment to excellence.  Her mission has been to make the identification and management of hearing loss in infants and children an important public health issue. Her efforts lead to the current national program which makes newborn hearing screening tests mandatory in 38 states.

About 100 people attended Downs’ birthday party, including Marion Downs Hearing Center Director Sandra Gabbard, PhD, and University of Colorado Denver, School of Medicine Dean Richard Krugman, MD.

Photo: Dr. Marion Downs celebrates her 95th birthday with her daughter Jody Pike, granddaughter Sara Wilczewski and great granddaughter Chiara.