Fort Wayne, IND. – April 9, 2024 – Parkview Health Respiratory Therapist Chase Gorman was recognized recently with the PHIL Award, a national honor recognizing therapists who provide exemplary care for patients with respiratory illnesses.
Gorman is the first-ever Parkview co-worker to receive the award from The FACES Foundation, although more than 40 therapists within the system were nominated by patients for consideration in 2024.
The PHIL Award was created in 2006 in honor of Philip C. Lamka, who died of interstitial lung disease. This once-per-year award is given to “best of the best” therapists who are nominated by the patients they serve. Gorman joins more than 500 therapists nationwide who have been honored with the PHIL award since 2006.
Gorman started with Parkview in November 2009 as a student associate before beginning as a respiratory therapist in 2010. He is one of Parkview’s charge respiratory therapists and works in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Gorman also works on NICU transport cases at PRMC, the role in which he was nominated for the PHIL Award.
“Nothing can be scarier for a new parent than their newborn or child having trouble breathing, but great therapists like Chase do so much to help put families at ease and make sure their children are safe and healthy,” said Rebekah Johnson, manager of cardiopulmonary services at Parkview Regional Medical Center (PRMC) and Parkview Southwest.
Gorman was nominated by a Parkview intensive care nurse and new mother, whose pre-term baby needed to be transferred to the PRMC NICU shortly after birth. Gorman helped prepare the family and their baby for the transport and upon arrival in the NICU, re-evaluated the baby’s condition, answered numerous questions and helped the parents feel confident and reassured that their newborn was in good hands.
“I remember turning to my husband and saying that I trust Chase with her life because of all the amazing things I, as a nurse, have witnessed him do here at Parkview,” the mother said in her nomination entry. “It was so lovely and reassuring to see a familiar face in one of our darkest moments. My little family will forever be grateful for Chase in the sense that he made our transition from labor and delivery to the NICU feel at ease.”
Parkview leaders surprised Gorman with an award presentation at PRMC on Thursday, March 28. PHIL winners receive an “Appreciation” sculpture, a framed certificate and PHIL Award lapel pin from The FACES Foundation.
Dr. Michael Yurkanin, chief medical officer for Parkview Health hospitals, shared, “As an anesthesiologist, I have always had a deep appreciation for our respiratory therapy team and the compassionate care they provide our patients. Chase is a shining example of the excellence we aim for.”
More information about the PHIL Award and a list of past recipients can be found at https://www.thefacesfoundation.org/phil-award.