This year, the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) presented members and medical facilities from across the U.S. with prestigious awards and accolades. Among these achievements include the inaugural Apex Recognition Award, the annual Specialty Practitioner of the Year Awards, as well as the new Preceptor Recognition Program.
“Respiratory therapists are a vital component of a well-rounded healthcare team,” said Thomas Kallstrom, AARC executive director. “The specialized services and skills respiratory therapists perform each day provide the necessary foundation for the total patient experience. They work hard to deliver outstanding care and comfort to their patients, and we are thrilled to honor them through these award and recognition programs.”
Apex Recognition Award
The 2017 Apex Recognition Award recipients demonstrate best practices in the profession and promote patient safety by providing access to respiratory therapists to deliver their care. The AARC Apex Recognition Award was developed in 2017 as a way for the AARC Board to recognize respiratory care departments that exhibit high quality patient care. The following medical facilities achieved this designation:
Acute Care Hospital Category
- Piedmont Healthcare-Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
- The Valley Hospital, Ridgewood, New Jersey
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
Long-Term Care Facility Category
- Lifecare Hospital of Chester County, West Chester, Pennsylvania
Specialty Practitioners of the Year
Each year, specialty sections in the AARC select one member to be named Specialty Practitioner of the Year for that section. Criteria for this award included the nominee’s professional service, leadership, as well as whether the individual has furthered the art of science of respiratory care through outstanding contribution to, or service in, a specialty area of practice. This year, eight individuals received this honor:
- Adult Acute Care: Donna Tanner, MHS, MBA, RRT, RRT-ACCS
- Continuing Care/Rehabilitation: Mark W. Mangus, Sr., BSRC, RRT, RPFT, FAARC
- Diagnostics: Curt R. Merriman, BA, RRT, CPFT
- Education: Monica A. Schibig, MA, RRT, RRT-NPS, CPFT
- Long-Term Care: Ryan Stiles, BSRT, RRT
- Management: Dave Crotwell, BA, RRT, RRT-NPS, FAARC
- Neonatal/Pediatric: Melissa K. Brown, BS, RRT, RRT-NPS, RCP
- Surface and Air Transport: Justin S. Misuraca, BS, RRT, RRT-NPS
Preceptor Recognition Program
Also new this year is the Preceptor Recognition Program. This program recognizes preceptors (instructors) whose leadership and mentoring skills stand out. The AARC presented 13 members with this distinction, naming them as the inaugural class of the AARC Education Section Preceptor Recognition Program:
- Ankeet Patel MS, RRT, RRT-ACCS; Rush University Medical Center;
nominated by Rush University respiratory care program - Emilee Lamorena MS, RRT, RRT-NPS; Rush University Medical Center;
nominated by Rush University respiratory care program - Maya Jenkins MS, RRT; Rush University Medical Center;
nominated by Rush University respiratory care program - Roisin McLaughlin BS, RRT, RPFT; Rush University Medical Center;
nominated by Rush University respiratory care program - Edita Meksraityte MS, RRT, RRT-ACCS, AE-C; Rush University Medical Center;
nominated by Rush University respiratory care program - Ellen Moran MS, RRT, RPFT; Rush University Medical Center;
nominated by Rush University respiratory care program - Ryndell Magbalon BS, RRT, RRT-ACCS, RPFT; Rush University Medical Center;
nominated by Rush University respiratory care program - Renee Kiourkas MS, RRT, RPFT; Rush University Medical Center;
nominated by Rush University respiratory care program - Andrew Klein MS, RRT, RRT-ACCS, RRT-NPS, AE-C; Rush University Medical Center;
nominated by Rush University respiratory care program - Anne Geistkemper MS, RRT, RRT-NPS; Rush University Medical Center;
nominated by Rush University respiratory care program - Sachin Patel BSRC, RRT; Houston Methodist Hospital;
nominated by University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston respiratory care program - Kali Moore-Watts MS, RRT; The Ohio State University Medical Center;
nominated by The Ohio State University respiratory care program - Jodylynn Rolla BS, RRT, CPFT; Steward Family Healthcare Northside;
nominated by Laurel Technical Institute respiratory care program
“It is an honor to have the opportunity to recognize members who work hard to promote and advance their section, the AARC, and the profession overall,” said Dr. Shawna Strickland, PhD, RRT, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, AE-C, FAARC, AARC associate executive director of member services. “Members who receive these awards are great examples and leaders to our community. They demonstrate professional excellence and showcase the wide breadth of member specialties. We are truly excited to express our appreciation for these individuals and medical facilities through our award programs.”
Email newsroom@aarc.org with questions or comments, we’d love to hear from you.
Heather Willden is the Director of Governance and Strategic Initiatives for the AARC where she works with state affiliates as the HOD liaison. She also manages DEI efforts and strategic initiatives. Connect with her about these topics by email, AARConnect or LinkedIn. When she's not working, you can find her podcasting with her husband, exploring new hiking trails, photographing, and spending time with her family.
