PHIL Award Winner
July 2008
July 2008
Folk receives PHIL Award for excellence in Respiratory Care*
When Sharman Lamka’s husband, Phil, was near the end of his battle with
pulmonary illness in 2005, his respiratory therapist combed the hospital after
her shift until she found a mask that would provide greater comfort and relief.
Though Sharman and Phil joked about how big the mask was, they realized
how important respiratory care is to end-of-life care. They were so inspired by
Linda Folk, RRT, clinical specialist in Respiratory Care, that they created an
award – the PHIL Award – to recognize the excellent care she provided.
PHIL stands for Pulmonary Health and Illness of the Lungs. After Phil’s death, Sharman created the
FACES Foundation to reflect, acknowledge and advocate for the many “faces” of those living with and
caring for patients with life-threatening pulmonary diseases. The foundation hosts the PHIL Award, which
recognizes respiratory therapists, and the Daisy Award, recognizing excellence in nursing.
“I had no concept of a respiratory therapist and what they do,” Sharman says. “Thanks to Linda scouring
the hospital for the mask, we realized how critical these therapists are to the end of a patient’s life.”
Sharman presented the PHIL Award to Linda at a ceremony this past summer. The PHIL Award
resembles a person (the caregiver) embracing in its circular arms, a butterfly symbolizing the lungs. The
sculpture represents the caregiver’s relationship, which holds the patient’s freedom to breathe easier.
“Respiratory therapists provide a vital life-saving function with every action they take,” says Margaret
Calarco, Ph.D., R.N., senior associate director of Patient Care and chief of Nursing Services. “Thousands
of patients and families are touched every day by these incredible practitioners, and we are so honored
to recognize Linda Folk with the PHIL Award.”
*Reprinted with permission from Applause! University of Michigan Health System
When Sharman Lamka’s husband, Phil, was near the end of his battle with
pulmonary illness in 2005, his respiratory therapist combed the hospital after
her shift until she found a mask that would provide greater comfort and relief.
Though Sharman and Phil joked about how big the mask was, they realized
how important respiratory care is to end-of-life care. They were so inspired by
Linda Folk, RRT, clinical specialist in Respiratory Care, that they created an
award – the PHIL Award – to recognize the excellent care she provided.
PHIL stands for Pulmonary Health and Illness of the Lungs. After Phil’s death, Sharman created the
FACES Foundation to reflect, acknowledge and advocate for the many “faces” of those living with and
caring for patients with life-threatening pulmonary diseases. The foundation hosts the PHIL Award, which
recognizes respiratory therapists, and the Daisy Award, recognizing excellence in nursing.
“I had no concept of a respiratory therapist and what they do,” Sharman says. “Thanks to Linda scouring
the hospital for the mask, we realized how critical these therapists are to the end of a patient’s life.”
Sharman presented the PHIL Award to Linda at a ceremony this past summer. The PHIL Award
resembles a person (the caregiver) embracing in its circular arms, a butterfly symbolizing the lungs. The
sculpture represents the caregiver’s relationship, which holds the patient’s freedom to breathe easier.
“Respiratory therapists provide a vital life-saving function with every action they take,” says Margaret
Calarco, Ph.D., R.N., senior associate director of Patient Care and chief of Nursing Services. “Thousands
of patients and families are touched every day by these incredible practitioners, and we are so honored
to recognize Linda Folk with the PHIL Award.”
*Reprinted with permission from Applause! University of Michigan Health System
Linda M. Folk
University of Michigan Hospital
Ann Arbor, MI
University of Michigan Hospital
Ann Arbor, MI
Linda M. Folk (right) with
FACES Foundation
Founder Sharman Lamka.
FACES Foundation
Founder Sharman Lamka.
