Artesia, Hobbs, N.M. (January 9, 2026) – The Permian Strategic Partnership (PSP) today announced the expansion of access to critical early hearing detection and intervention services for infants and families across Southeast New Mexico. Two new infant tele-audiology clinics, located in Artesia and Hobbs, will be operated by the New Mexico School for the Deaf (NMSD).
The Hobbs clinic is supported through a partnership between the JF Maddox Foundation and the PSP, while the Artesia clinic is funded by the PSP in collaboration with the Written in Red Foundation, John A. Yates & Charlotte G. Yates Legacy Foundation, Carlsbad Community Foundation, and the PY Foundation. Together, these partners are helping bring timely infant hearing screening, diagnosis, and intervention services closer to families in rural communities.
The clinics will utilize tele-audiology technology to connect families with licensed pediatric audiologists, addressing longstanding access gaps in rural and underserved communities. Once operational, the clinics are expected to significantly shorten the time between initial screening and diagnosis, an essential factor in effective early intervention.
“Early diagnosis of hearing differences allows infants and their families timely access to the intervention and resources they need to avert language and cognitive delays,” said Joanne Corwin, Director of Early Intervention Department at New Mexico School for the Deaf. “The generosity of our philanthropic partners clears the way for the babies in southeastern New Mexico to maintain a typical developmental trajectory. The New Mexico School for the Deaf wishes to express our heartfelt thanks for making a difference for these precious little ones.”
This initiative is made possible through collaboration among multiple funding partners, including the Permian Strategic Partnership, JF Maddox Foundation, PY Foundation, and other regional philanthropic organizations committed to improving health outcomes and family services in Southeast New Mexico.
“These clinics will help ensure infants in Southeast New Mexico receive timely, high-quality care close to home, setting them up for better developmental outcomes from the very start,” said Tracee Bentley, President and CEO of the PSP. “We are proud to partner with these philanthropic leaders to bring this essential service to the Permian.”
“Through our partnership with CARC, Inc., the PY Foundation learned that children ages 0–2 in Southeast New Mexico faced critical delays in accessing audiology services, with wait times of up to nine months – stunting key developmental milestones,” said Sandra Borges, Executive Director, PY Foundation. “Collaboration is essential in addressing health disparities like this. We are especially grateful to our program officer, Destiny Rojo, whose efforts in connecting with partners helped bring this initiative to life, and to all the organizations who came together to make these infant tele-audiology clinics a reality.”
“Families in rural communities often face significant barriers to specialized healthcare,” said TJ Parks, CEO of JF Maddox. “This partnership with the New Mexico School for the Deaf helps remove those barriers by bringing essential infant hearing services directly to the communities that need them most.”
The Artesia clinic is expected to begin serving infants in January 2026, with both clinics planning ribbon-cutting ceremonies in April 2026.