Education 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 Megan Koster, EdD, RRT, RRT-NPS
• 2023 J. Brady Scott, PhD, RRT, RRT-ACCS, AE-C, FAARC
• 2022 Dr. Ralph David “Chip” Zimmerman, PhD, RRT, RRT-NPS, FAARC
• 2021 Georgianna Sergakis, PhD, RRT, AE-C, FAARC,
• 2020 Arzu Ari, PhD, RRT, PT, CPFT, FCCP, FAARC
• 2019 De De Gardner, DrPH, RRT, RRT-NPS, FAARC, FCCP
• 2018 Ellen A. Becker, PhD, RRT, RRT-NPS, RPFT, AE-C, FAARC
• 2017 Monica A. Schibig, MA, RRT-NPS, CPFT
• 2016 David L. Vines, MHS, RRT, FAARC, FCCP
• 2015 Will Beachey, PhD, RRT, FAARC
• 2014 Helen Sorenson, MA, RRT, FAARC
• 2013 Lynda Goodfellow, EdD, RRT, FAARC
• 2012 Douglas Gardenhire EdD RRT-NPS
• 2011 Teresa A. Volsko, MHHS, RRT, FAARC
• 2010 Thomas A. Barnes, EdD, RRT, FAARC
• 2009 Jeffrey J. Ward, MEd, RRT
• 2008 Kathy Jones Boggs Rye, EdD, RRT
• 2007 Joseph G. Sorbello, MSEd, RRT
• 2006 Thomas V. Hill, PhD, RRT
• 2005 William Galvin, MSEd, RRT, CPFT, AE-C
• 2004 James M. Cairo, PhD, RRT, FAARC
• 2003 Susan P. Pilbeam, MS, RRT
• 2002 Vijay Deshpande, MS, RRT, FAARC
• 2001 David C. Shelledy, PhD, RRT
• 2000 Debra Lierl, MEd, RRT
• 1999 Patricia Munzer, MS, RRT
• 1998 Karen A. Milikowski, RRT, CPFT
• 1997 Shelley C. Mishoe, PhD, RRT
• 1996 Mark L. Simmons, RRT
• 1995 F. Herbert Douce, RRT
• 1994 Carl P. Wiezalis
• 1993 Linda Van Scoder
• 1992 Deborah L. Cullen
• 1991 David Rice
• 1990 Carolyn O’Daniel
• 1989 Tim Op’t Holt