Established 1983
The James P. Baker, MD Award of merit may be presented annually to the respiratory therapist who has contributed the most to the Society during the year. From 1983-2007 the current Society President in conjunction with past presidents, determined who the recipient should be. In 2008, the VSRC standing rules were revised so selection is made by an Executive Board majority vote. The recipient of this award is also nominated to the AARC’s House of Delegates Outstanding Affiliate Contributor each year (formerly the AARC’s “President’s Award).
James P. Baker, MD helped establish Respiratory Therapy and the VSRC in Virginia and was actively involved for many years following its inception.
Dr. Baker was born in Virginia, attended Medical School at the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) and held academic appointments at MCV and Eastern Virginia Medical School from the 1960s to the 1990s. He served on RT School Program Advisory Committees, represented the American Thoracic Society (ATS) to the AART, was an oral examiner for the NBRT, was a site visitor to the AMA Schools approved for RT, and served as member of the AMA Joint Committee for Respiratory Therapy Education (JCRTE). He distinguished himself in the American Lung Association (ALA) and ATS. He presented countless informative presentations at VSRC Seminars and to a host of others on pulmonary medicine topics. Dr. Baker received several teaching awards at medical schools and served as Director of Pulmonary Division at Eastern VA Medical School, Chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine and Interim Dean while there. The AARC granted Dr. Baker Honorary Membership for his service on the Association’s Board of Medical Advisors (BOMA).
Recipients
1983 Robert Ashley, RRT
1984 R. Douglas Swing Jr., RRT
1985 Joseph DiPietro, RRT
1986 Patricia Doorley, RRT
1987 Daniel Beachy, RRT
1988 Nancylee Petty, CRTT
1989 Larry Eichelberger, RRT
1990 William Dubbs, RRT
1991 Donald O’Donohue, RRT
1992 Robert Bageant, RRT
1993 Samuel Yoder, RRT
1994 Ben Schowe, RRT
1995 Susan Telmanik, RRT
1996 Scott Dralle, RRT
1997 Mark Diana, RRT
1998 Michelle Leonard, RRT
1999 Edward Robinson Jr., RRT
2000 Tom Travis, RRT
2001 Edward Robinson Jr., RRT
2002 Brian Walsh, RRT
2003 Daniel Rowley, RRT
2004 Mary Kane, RRT
2005 Judy Combs, RRT
2006 Michael Klaiber, RRT
2007 J. Wes Mullins, RRT
2008 Jolynn Hamelman, RRT
2009 Lois Rowland, RRT
2010 Natalie Napolitano, RRT
2011 James Shuke, RRT
2012 Sherry Compton, RRT
2013 J. Marc Winstead, RRT
2014 Richard Stairhime, RRT
2015 Chase Poulsen, RRT
2016 Hanns Billmayer, RRT
2017 Shari Toomey, RRT
2018 Andrew Carruthers, RRT
2019 Laura Fails, RRT
2020 Susan Arrington, RRT & Megan Keith, RRT
2021 Not awarded
2022 Daniel Gochenour, RRT