11/02/2025
Two moving nominations from mothers of pediatric patients led to the second annual Pulmonary Health and Illnesses of the Lungs (PHIL) Award being presented to Respiratory Therapist Andrea Kula, RRT. Andrea, who has been working at UMass Memorial Medical Center for less than a year, was surprised with the award during Respiratory Care Week.
The PHIL Award is the only nationally recognized hospital-based recognition program dedicated to honoring outstanding respiratory therapists who provide exemplary care and treatment for patients with respiratory illnesses, as nominated by patients, family members and other caregivers. It was created in 2006 in honor of Philip C. Lamka, who passed away from Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD). The award honors and recognizes the unsung heroes in the respiratory profession who understand that each breath matters.
Andrea's nominators wrote:
"Tonight I brought my son to the ER, and it was one of the scariest nights of my life. He was struggling to breathe, crying, and completely panicked. I was trying to stay calm for him, but inside I was freaking out. She [Andrea] didn’t rush in or go straight to the machines. She sat next to my son, talked to him gently, and took her time. She told him her name, asked about his favorite cartoon, and made sure he understood what she was doing before she did anything. It wasn’t just about giving treatment; she made sure he felt safe and comfy. You could tell she cared. She was patient, calm, and never once made us feel like she had somewhere else to be. She explained things in a way that made sense, and she didn’t push; she worked at his pace. And slowly, he started to relax. His breathing settled, the crying stopped, and for the first time that night, I saw a little bit of peace on his face. Andrea didn’t just help my son breathe easier, she helped both of us. I’ll never forget the way she treated him like a person, not just a patient. She made a really hard night a little bit easier, and I’m so grateful for that."
"I want to spread awareness about the experience I had with Andie, who made such a difference. My son was really scared and didn’t want to do his breathing treatment. He was starting to panic, and I could tell it was going to be a real struggle. But Andie came in and asked, 'Hey, do you like dinosaurs?' He gave a little nod, and she smiled and said, 'I have a mask that can turn you into a dinosaur if you want.' That completely shifted the whole vibe. He actually let her put the mask on without a fight. He took the whole treatment while pretending to be a dinosaur, and it was the first time he seemed relaxed all day. Andie turned something scary into something kind of fun."
"I’m so incredibly thankful to everyone who’s lifted me up and helped me grow this past year," Andrea said. "To my coworkers, mentors and leaders, friends and family, thank you for believing in me and for always supporting me. Everyone played such a special part in shaping me into the respiratory therapist I am today, and I’m grateful to be surrounded by people so kind, supportive and genuine."
Do you want to recognize an outstanding coworker? Visit the Awards and Recognitions page to see the various ways you can thank and honor a fellow caregiver for their excellent work: ummhealth.org/about-us/awards-recognitions
