PHIL Award Winner
October 2009
October 2009
Mary Lou Drahnak is a Pediatric Respiratory Therapist at Rainbow Babies &
Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. She has been a Respiratory Therapist
for 25 years at University Hospitals Case Medical Center/ Rainbow.
MaryLou is a registered respiratory therapist licensed in the state of Ohio and
received her Neonatal Pediatric Specialist Credential.
Mary Lou received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Indiana University
of Pennsylvania in 1975. She taught school for five years before returning to
school to fulfill her passion in health care as a Respiratory Therapist. She
received an Associates’ Degree in Science and Respiratory Therapy from Lakeland Community College
in 1984. She briefly worked in the adult arena prior to pursing the field in pediatrics.
Mary Lou states that her favorite part of her job as an RT is providing patient care. Her special interests
are working with patients requiring home mechanical ventilation, tracheostomy care and Asthma
education Mary Lou was nominated for the PHIL award by a mother of an 8 1/2-year-old ventilator
dependent patient who was well known to Rainbow and spent 10 ½ months in the hospital after birth.
The nomination reads: “Mary Lou has always displayed the utmost professionalism and goes way beyond
the scope of her position. She always makes herself available as a resource even when we are not
admitted to the hospital. Her wealth of knowledge and dedication should be recognized.”
Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. She has been a Respiratory Therapist
for 25 years at University Hospitals Case Medical Center/ Rainbow.
MaryLou is a registered respiratory therapist licensed in the state of Ohio and
received her Neonatal Pediatric Specialist Credential.
Mary Lou received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Indiana University
of Pennsylvania in 1975. She taught school for five years before returning to
school to fulfill her passion in health care as a Respiratory Therapist. She
received an Associates’ Degree in Science and Respiratory Therapy from Lakeland Community College
in 1984. She briefly worked in the adult arena prior to pursing the field in pediatrics.
Mary Lou states that her favorite part of her job as an RT is providing patient care. Her special interests
are working with patients requiring home mechanical ventilation, tracheostomy care and Asthma
education Mary Lou was nominated for the PHIL award by a mother of an 8 1/2-year-old ventilator
dependent patient who was well known to Rainbow and spent 10 ½ months in the hospital after birth.
The nomination reads: “Mary Lou has always displayed the utmost professionalism and goes way beyond
the scope of her position. She always makes herself available as a resource even when we are not
admitted to the hospital. Her wealth of knowledge and dedication should be recognized.”
Mary Lou Drahnak
UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital
UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital
Mary Lou Drahnak (right
center) with (from left)
Tim Myers, Kathleen
Deakins and FACES
Foundation Founder,
Sharman Lamka.
center) with (from left)
Tim Myers, Kathleen
Deakins and FACES
Foundation Founder,
Sharman Lamka.
