The DFW Hospital Council (DFWHC) announced today the Honorable Lyndon L. Olson, Jr. will be the 2025 recipient of its Distinguished Health Service Award, an honor dating back to 1948. The award will be presented during DFWHC’s 77th Annual Awards Luncheon on October 24 at the Loews Arlington Convention Center.

Olson has demonstrated a long commitment to a host of civil, political, cultural and philanthropic organizations in the state of Texas and across the nation. Since 1995, Olson has served on the Scottish Rite for Children Board of Trustees and has been chair of the board since 2006. Olson was born with bilateral club feet. At 10 years old, complications led his parents to bring him to Scottish Rite for Children. It was decided amputating both legs would give him a better chance to continue enjoying his favorite activities like baseball. Olson believes it was the right decision and has never looked back.

Olson was a longstanding member of the board of trustees for the Baylor Scott & White Healthcare System, chairman of the board of the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, and is an Emeritus Trustee of the Baylor College of Medicine. He is also a former member of the Advisory Committee for MD Anderson Cancer Center and former Chairman of the Texas Mental Health Association.

Olson served as a former member of the Texas House of Representatives (1973-1979). President William J. Clinton appointed Olson as a U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Sweden (1997-2001). A former Commissioner and Vice Chairman of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, he was appointed by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Olson served as CEO of the National Group Insurance Companies, as well as CEO of Travelers Insurance Holdings in New York City for many years.

“Ambassador Olson has volunteered decades of his career to support North Texas healthcare,” said Stephen Love, president/CEO of DFWHC. “We are so indebted to his leadership at Scottish Rite and Baylor Scott & White. I cannot think of a more deserving recipient. We are looking forward to honoring him.”

The Young Healthcare Executive of the Year and the Kerney Laday, Sr. Trustee of the Year awards will also be presented during the luncheon. An additional highlight will be the appearance of Dr. Stephen Trzeciak as keynote speaker. The bestselling author of “Compassionomics: The Revolutionary Scientific Evidence That Caring Makes a Difference,” Trzeciak will share his story of going through burnout while working as a physician, and how compassion was the key to his recovery.

Sponsored in part by Hall Render, Forvis Mazars and ShiftKey, the event will begin with a reception at 11:00 a.m. followed by the luncheon and awards from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m.

For information, please contact Chris Wilson at chrisw@dfwhc.org.