Christine Hartling of Utah is the 2017 recipient of the National Respiratory Patient Advocacy Award. A collaborative effort between The FACES Foundation (Family and Caregiver, Education & Support) and the AARC, this award identifies and honors registered respiratory therapists from across the country who demonstrate excellence in compassionate care for patients and families.
As part of a national review committee, representatives from around the country selected by AARC and FACES Foundation chose Hartling as the 2017 award winner, as well as Jeff Cain of Michigan and Jamie Causey of North Carolina as the runners-up. This is the first year for the award program. These finalists will be honored before an audience of patients, caregivers, advocacy groups and clinicians at the Respiratory Patient Advocacy Summit on Oct. 3, 2017, in Indianapolis, IN.
About the Finalists
Hartling is a member of the Primary Children’s Hospital team in Salt Lake City, UT. She has been a respiratory therapist, educator, manager, and is currently the pediatric trach/vent liaison for her facility, as well as the Intermountain Region.
“She has been a strong proponent for the profession, the AARC, and the patient by sharing her knowledge and expertise across the nation,” said Catherine Nelson, MSN, RN, CCM, ACM.
Cain has been a member of the pediatric respiratory care department at the University of Michigan Hospitals for the last 20 years. Currently, Cain is the clinical supervisor in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
“Jeff has been an exemplary employee and role model for all levels of staff,” said Ken Bandy, BS, RRT, senior administrative director at the hospital. “In this role, Jeff has continually demonstrated excellent skills in all aspects of his job responsibilities.”
Causey is currently the pediatric clinical supervisor for respiratory care services at Levine Children’s Hospital (LCH) in North Carolina. She is responsible for all things pediatric in LCH Respiratory Care.
“I have seen an exponential growth in a teammate; one I have never seen before,” said Matthew Pavlichko, MS, RRT-NPS, RCP, director of cardiopulmonary services at LCH. “She has grown into a phenomenal leader, clinician, teammate, advocate, and visionary.”
About the Award
The National Respiratory Patient Advocacy Award is the only nationally-recognized advocacy program dedicated to honoring outstanding registered respiratory therapists nominated by leadership.
The award commemorates a vital member of the healthcare team that empowers patients to breathe easy: the respiratory therapist. This consummate professional appreciates the ‘individual’ instead of the ‘patient’ and is dedicated to the principal that every breath matters. Nominations come from facilities across the continuum of care where registered respiratory therapists are actively engaged as a champion of patient and family-centered care.
The National Respiratory Patient Advocacy Award program is made possible through the support of the FACES Foundation, the AARC Respiratory Patient Advocacy Summit and its sponsors. Learn more about the award.
