Stormont Vail Health is proud to announce our first recipients of the PHIL Award® (Pulmonary Health and Illnesses of the Lungs), Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs) Melanie Reamer and Michelle Budreau.

The PHIL Award® is a national honor established by The FACES Foundation® to recognize respiratory therapists who exemplify professional excellence, compassion, and dedication to patients and families.

Named in memory of Philip C. Lamka, the PHIL Award celebrates those who go above and beyond in caring for individuals with respiratory illnesses. Nominations come from patients, families, and healthcare colleagues.

What the PHIL Award Recognizes

• Professional excellence
• Compassion
• Patient advocacy
• Commitment to the mission

2025 PHIL Award® Honorees

Melanie Reamer | Topeka Campus

“I work around Melanie in Pulmonary Rehab. She is wonderful when teaching and speaking to patients. She always makes a point to interact with all of her patients and takes the extra time to educate them on not only their Respiratory Illness but things that might be affected because of their illness.

Melanie has embraced working with patients that are very ill not only with Respiratory Illness’ but Cardiac as well. She collaborates well with the Cardiac nurses to make sure that patients received the best care.

Not only does Melanie give it her all when she works with her Pulmonary patients there have been times when Cardiac Rehab has been short due to staff being sick and without hesitation has stepped into the role to help our Cardiac Rehab team.

She is a great team member to her coworkers and an even better health care professional to her patients.”

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“We have known Melanie for years and know she is completely dedicated to her profession. She just takes our breath away.”

Michelle Budreau | Flint Hills Campus

“Michelle exemplifies the very best of respiratory therapy through her outstanding clinical skills, patient centered approach, and collaborative spirit. She consistently goes above and beyond her role making meaningful difference in patient outcomes and team effectiveness.

Patient care excellence

Michelle is highly skilled at optimizing long-term respiratory management. She takes time to provide clear compassionate education on inhaled corticosteroid therapy and oxygen use, empowering patients and families to participate in their care. She is good at weaning patient safely from oxygen by balancing the harms of hyperoxygenation and improving both patient safety and recovery.

Commitment to rehabilitation and education

She has been instrumental in increasing referrals and successful enrollment in pulmonary rehab, a key driver for long-term quality of life for patients. Families and patients frequently share how grateful they are for the time and encouragement that she provides.

Team collaboration responsiveness

Michelle is deeply respected among the care team for her responsiveness and foresight. She often anticipates patients’ needs by finishing clinical thoughts before they are spoken and brings proactive solutions to patient care challenges. Her ability to seamlessly coordinate with physicians, nurses, and staff enhances workflow and elevates the overall standard of care at our hospital.

Her contributions extend beyond individual patients, they raise the standard of our entire institution. The trust she builds with families, the confidence that she inspires in her colleagues, and the improved patient outcomes she delivers are a testament to her extraordinary dedication.

Michelle is not just a respiratory therapist; she is a leader, educator, and advocate for her patients. Her excellence reflects the mission and values of our health system and she is truly deserving of recognition through this award.”

We Celebrate Excellence

Thank you, Melanie and Michelle, for your extraordinary contributions to patient care and for embodying our mission and values.

Learn more about the PHIL Award and how to nominate a respiratory therapist at:
stormontvail.org/phil-award.