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Awards and Recognition

National Respiratory Patient Advocacy Award

The only nationally-recognized advocacy program dedicated to honoring outstanding registered respiratory therapists nominated by leadership

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Through a collaboration of the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) and The FACES Foundation (Family & Caregiver Education & Support), the award commemorates a vital member of the health care team: the respiratory therapist. This excellent professional appreciates the “individual” instead of the “patient” and is dedicated to the principle that every breath matters.

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“It was such an honor to receive the National Patient Advocacy Award. To be acknowledged for something we as practitioners do every day was really special. It lets you know that through it all — RTs really do make a difference. Sometimes we have a bad day or have a negative client interaction — but then all it takes is one kind word or amazing patient outcome to boost and renew your enthusiasm. Winning the award left me reinvigorated and inspired to meet future challenges.”

Brigitte Trace, BA, RRT
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Brigitte Trace, BA, RRT, 2024 National Patient Advocacy Award Winner

Tracy Edwards photo

Tracy Edwards, RRT, 2024 Patient Advocacy Award Finalist

Award Focus

  • Patient and family-centered care: Evidence provided as testimonials or other documentation that nominee is actively engaged in, or a champion of, patient and family-centered respiratory care.
  • Quality and safety: Evidence that nominee is actively engaged in efforts to improve the quality and safety of respiratory care.
  • Advocacy for respiratory care as a profession: Evidence that nominee sets an exemplary level of professionalism and clearly demonstrates advocacy for the profession.
  • Nominee meets the definition of an advocate: Evidence that nominee is a champion, supporter, promoter, fighter, crusader and proponent.
  • Nominee works across continuums and/or disciplines: Evidence that nominee’s work leads to increased integration of programs and services, resulting in improved outcomes for the patients.
  • Nominee’s work exemplified best practices: Evidence that nominee’s work results in improved outcomes for patients and clients.
  • Development of an innovative idea or suggestion: Resulting in a change of service delivery model, cost savings, time savings, workflow improvement or general safety improvement.

Nominations

Nominations come from facilities where registered respiratory therapists provide direct care to patients with cardiopulmonary diseases and disorders and are actively engaged as a champion of patient and family-centered care.

Award finalists are chosen by a national review committee, with representatives selected by AARC and The FACES Foundation. Each year, the award recipient and finalists are honored before their peers at the AARC Congress. Finalists are also recognized in other AARC publications and on The FACES Foundation website and social media.

The award recipient receives complimentary travel with hotel accommodations for 2 nights, as well as, complimentary registration to attend the AARC Congress. Award finalists will receive a one-year paid extension to their AARC membership.

The nomination deadline is July 31.

Nomination Form

The Sculpture

In the spirit of The National Respiratory Patient Advocacy Award, MK Shannon adapted the sculpture “Unity.” Unity, a pewter sculpture sitting atop a black marble base, consists of a trio of figures lifting a fully opened butterfly. The figures represent the triad of support upon which the person with life-threatening pulmonary illness depends. The figure on the left represents the patient’s loved ones: family and close friends. The figure on the right represents the integrated medical team. The center, and central, figure is the committed, gifted respiratory therapist, who works side by side with the patient, families and the health care team. The respiratory therapist is key to improving lung function; the lungs are represented here by the extended wings of the butterfly. It almost appears as if the butterfly emerged from its chrysalis and is ready to take flight. The symbolism resonates for those who have watched an RRT continually seek more effective ways to enable patients to breathe comfortably.

Breathing is natural and the essence of life. Patients with lung disease cherish every breath they take. AARC, The FACES Foundation, and the sculpture “Unity” honor the outstanding respiratory professional who strives each day to make that breath as easy as possible.

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