Neonatal Pediatrics Specialty Practitioner of the Year

The annual Specialty Practitioner of the Year (SPOTY) Awards recognize one member from each AARC Specialty Section who has gone above and beyond to advance the art and science of respiratory care within their specialty through exceptional contributions in professional service, leadership, or scholarship.

Stay tuned for 2026 nomination information.

Past Recipients

• 2024 Jennifer Erkinger, MS, RRT-DPS, AE-C, C-NPT
• 2023 Khris E. O’Brien, BA, RRT-NPS
• 2022 Amanda Nickel, MSc, RRT, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS
• 2021 Anne M. Geistkemper, MSc, RRT, RRT-NPS
• 2020 Emilee Lamorena, MSc, RRT, RRT-NPS
• 2019 Sara Wing Parker, MPH, RRT, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, AE-C
• 2018 Ryan M. Sharkey, MSc, RRT, RRT-NPS
• 2017 Melissa K. Brown, BS, RRT-NPS
• 2016 John T. Gallagher, MPH, RRT-NPS, FAARC
• 2015 Shari Toomey, MBA, RRT-NPS
• 2014 Karl Kaminski, BSRT, RRT-NPS
• 2013 Wade Rich BS RRT CCRC
• 2012 Robert DiBlasi BSRT RRT-NPS FAARC
• 2011 Matthew McNally, BS, RRT
• 2010 Lee Williford, RRT
• 2009 Cynthia C. White, BA, RRT-NPS, AE-C
• 2008 Dave Crotwell, RRT-NPS
• 2007 Tiffany Mabe, RRT
• 2006 Mark Reeves, RRT-NPS, AE-C
• 2005 Douglas Petsinger, RRT
• 2004 Natalie Napolitano, RRT-NPS, AE-C
• 2003 Brian Walsh, BS, RRT-NPS, RPFT
• 2002 Melissa K. Brown, RRT
• 2001 Kathleen M. Deakins, RRT
• 2000 Justin Twitchell, RRT
• 1999 Jenni L. Raake, RRT
• 1998 Michael Tracey, BS, RRT
• 1997 Esther Taylor, RRT
• 1996 Connie Watkins, RRT
• 1995 Stephen K. Dickson, RRT
• 1994 Theresa Ryan Schultz
• 1993 Carl Pace
• 1992 Lynne K. Bower
• 1991 Jamie Clink
• 1990 Theresa Reno, RN, RRT-NPS
• 1989 Darrell Benham