Abby Wortman, RRT, Receives PHIL Award
Abby Wortman, RRT, ACCS, was awarded Monument Health’s PHIL award. The Phil Award, which is The FACES Foundation’s signature program, 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. Winners are nominated by patients, family members and other caregivers.
Abby was nominated by another coworker who recognized her by saying, “Abby responds quickly to requests for Respiratory Therapy (RT) care and is always professional and kind.” Her nominator went on to say that, “every patient interaction was met with genuine concern for the patient. Her patients appreciate her calm and kind demeanor… and her infectious smile.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, in her role as a Clinical Specialist, Abby provided assistance and education to other patient care teams in the event RTs were unable to assist. The nomination continued, “I cannot think of someone more deserving than Abby or who I would want caring for my family or me. She truly epitomizes the values that Monument Health represents!”
Abby has been a Respiratory Therapist with Monument Health since December 2008, providing leadership as a Clinical Specialist and caring for patients in the ICU, NICU and the Emergency Department. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she took on a position as a Clinical Instructor for South Dakota State University’s Respiratory Care program.
Monument Health adopted The PHIL award in April 2023 to recognize respiratory therapists who are heart and lung specialists. They work with patients of all ages, from premature babies to the elderly. Disease states or conditions often requiring diagnostic and therapeutic respiratory care include asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia and respiratory distress syndrome. Respiratory Therapists also manage ventilators and artificial airway devices for adult, pediatric and infant patients who can’t breathe normally on their own.