RCPs in Utah

Annual USRC Awards

Provider of the Year - Dr. Peter Crossno

Dr Crossno is a phenomenal advocate for Respiratory Therapy. He is our physician partner in clinical research as the medical director. He continues to publicly praise the contribution of RTs. He is a member of the AARC/USRC, took a delegation of RTs to a national research conference (the only physician to do so), is currently the principal investigator of a $2 million funded research study listing an RT as a co-principal investigator, and is a strong supporter of the Pulmonary Disease Navigator position. He submitted a presentation for the AARC Congress this year and will be traveling with his team to Congress. Dr Crossno is highly professional leader of our profession and deserves this recognition. - Kim Bennion

Leader of the Year - James Pippin

James is a coordinator at St. Marks hospital that is always putting his coworkers and patients first above all. If something is asked of him he figures it out and takes the bull by the horns. James became a coordinator when COVID began to ramp up and acted as such a positive personality for all his coworkers, even when it felt like the world was coming down on healthcare. James stepped up when his director had to go on maternity leave and trained on everything he needed to in order to keep the department in good standing. He did this with a motivated spirit as well as made sure he did whatever he could to ensure nothing was missed. James also took the time to gain extra certifications such as becoming a CPFT RT to provide proper training within our PFT lab. James continues to show how much he prioritises his career and job field. He takes it seriously and does whatever he can to keep learning and grow as a RT and leader. - Whitney Fosmark

James not only oversees adult care, he solves problems while establishing trust and fostering a culture of belonging. He encourages collaboration between all departments while providing support in weathering the changes during the Hospital expansion and the Covid 19 pandemic. He truly listens, sets good examples and backs his team. He takes an active interest in each person, treating them as a peer and knowing how to bring out the best of them. That includes people in other departments as well as his own. He approaches issues from multiple perspectives and formulates rational, practical solutions. - Jack Fried

Respiratory Therapist of the Year - Rick Carter

Rick is the consummate educator with and without the title. He has been a Respiratory Therapist for 27 years with 26 of those service critically ill newborn and pediatric patients at primary children’s hospital and also in transport with transport for many years. He is a strong clinician at the bedside, but has spent years training Respiratory Therapists, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Residents, Fellows, and Physicians on mechanical ventilation and the nuances associated caring for such a fragile patient populations . He is one of the most passionate caregivers when it come to provide quality compassion care. It is my pleasure to nominate Rick for Practitioner of the Year. My appreciation and gratitude for your consideration. - Kevin Crezee

Student of the Year - Wade Mather

Wade is a one of a kind student! He came to respiratory with a previous degree in engineering who had worked with high frequency ventilation. Wade decided he wanted be at the bedside and make a difference to patients. He is brilliant and, yet, humble. Wade is always on top of things and extremely organized. He also stays very involved while balancing school, family life, and work. Wade was elected as president of his cohort and he leads his group very well. He is always looking for ways to make things better, and he communicates and works with people to help make improvements.
Wade is extremely smart, and he is always willing to help other students understand concepts without making them feel dumb. Wade goes above and beyond to help others. He strives for excellence in all that he does.
Wade applied for and received funding to participate in AARC Congress this past fall and he presented research that he worked on with Intermountain. Wade also attends most (if not all) of the USRC board meetings. He is committed to the profession and has and will continue to be a great contributor to the profession. - Sarah Allred