| Mary Lou Drahnak (right center) with (from left) Tim Myers, Kathleen Deakins and FACES Foundation founder, Sharman Lamka |
| Congratulations Mary Lou Drahnak October 2009 ~~~~~~~~~~~~ UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital |
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. Mary Lou 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.”
Cleveland, Ohio. She has been a Respiratory Therapist for 25 years at University Hospitals Case Medical
Center/ Rainbow. Mary Lou 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.”