Dr. Huff is one of America’s most respected pediatricians. His significant contributions to the field of pediatrics has spanned over 40 years, from his days of pediatric residency training at the Charlotte Memorial Hospital to his most recent contribution as the Medical Director for The Center for Health and Aging, Mountain Area Health and Education Center.
Dr. Huff found joy in the challenges faced within pediatric medicine and dedicated most of his career to focusing on the expansion of health care services to all children, with a special focus on children with special health care needs. This direction led him to the establishment of The Olson Huff Center for Child Development, which supplies interdisciplinary care for children with special needs.
Dr. Huff is a Commissioner for the North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund, as well as the Chairman of the Committee on Federal Government Affairs for the American Academy of Pediatrics, where he works with the US Congress to reform the US health system. One of Dr. Huff’s proudest achievements is the creation of a mobile dental program that supplies dental service to underprivileged children in rural areas.
Dr. Huff also serves on a number of boards and commissions, including the NC Foundation for Advanced Health Programs, N.C. Institute of Medicine, and the Mountain Area Health Education Center. He holds honorary and emeritus membership in the American Academy of Pediatrics, the N.C. Medical Society, the N.C. Pediatric Society and the Buncombe County Medical Society.
Dr. Huff’s literary achievements include his self-penned book, The Window of Childhood: Glimpses of Wonder and Courage. This book became the basis for the movie A Country Remedy (formerly called Simple Things). Along with collaborating on The Triumphant Child book series, Dr. Huff is a regular contributor to the Sixty Second Parent website. He has also written extensively on issues relating to children’s health and children with special health care needs, and co-authored a chapter on evaluation of learning problems in school-age children published in Developmental Pediatrics.
He is a proud grandfather of four grandchildren and in his spare time loves working in the garden.
David Tayloe, Sr., Award - from the North Carolina Pediatric Society, for outstanding commitment/service.
American Academy of Pediatrics Special Recognition Award - for increasing access to dental health care for children.
The Lewis Hine Award - Dr. Huff was one of only 10 people in the nation to receive this prestigious award from the National Child Labor Committee for his work to improve health care for low-income children.
Order of the Long Leaf Pine - the highest civilian honor that can be granted in North Carolina. This award is presented to individuals who have a proven record of extraordinary service to the state. Other recipients of the award include Maya Angelou, Michael Jordan and Billy Graham.
Commissioner Leadership Award - from the Health Wellness Trust Fund for distinguished service in preventative health.
Glenn Wilson Award for Public Service - from the Area Health Education Center.
American Academy of Pediatrics Achievement Award - for Improving Dental Care for Children of North Carolina
North Carolina Alliance for Athletics, Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Advocacy Award.
North Carolina Dental Society Recognition Award.
Child Health Recognition Award - from Glaxo Smith Kline
Dick Arnold Volunteer Award - from Smart Start of North Carolina,
100 most influential persons in western North Carolina in the 20th century - as named by the Asheville Citizen-Times
Founder’s Award - from Mission Hospital
“When the history of children’s health care in North Carolina is written, Dr. Huff’s picture will be on the front cover.”
-- Lt. Governor of North Carolina Beverly Perdue
Receive free tips, updates & special offers
