Nominate a Respiratory Therapist Form

The PHIL Award for Outstanding Respiratory Therapists

The PHIL (Pulmonary Health and Illnesses of the Lung) Award was established by the FACES Foundation to recognize outstanding Respiratory Therapists who provide care and treatment for patients with respiratory conditions. Sharman Lamka established the PHIL Award as part of the FACES Foundation after her husband, Philip C. Lamka, passed away from Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD). Sharman was highly impressed with the level of care her husband received during his stay at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and she wanted to establish a way of acknowledging the valuable job Respiratory Therapists do.

The PHIL Award honors the unsung heroes in the respiratory therapy profession who understand that each breath matters. Saint Joseph Mercy Health System takes pride in being the first health system nationally to implement the PHIL Award program and honor Respiratory Therapists.

About the FACES Foundation
The FACES (Family and Caregiver Education and Support) Foundation was created in 2006 to acknowledge and promote professional excellence in the education and care of patients with life-threatening pulmonary illness. The FACES Foundation is dedicated to educating professionals, patients, and families on issues relevant to lung disease.

How will Winners be Recognized?
Respiratory Therapists who receive the award will be presented the Appreciation sculpture, adapted by artist MK Shannon specifically for the FACES Foundation. The sculpture represents the appreciation patients and their family members have for Respiratory Therapists that work hard to help them breath easier. Along with the sculpture, information about the recipient and why they were nominated will be displayed at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, St. Joseph Mercy Saline Hospital and St. Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital.