Kathleen was one of only two honorees chosen from a national field of highly qualified nominees to receive the prestigious Mary M. Kontos Care Champion Award at the 2019 North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference in Nashville TN. Here is what the CF Foundation says about the award and Kathleen on their website:
The Kontos Award, created in 2014, recognizes the contributions of nonphysician members of a care team who demonstrate a passion for excellence and commitment to care of individuals with cystic fibrosis.
Kathleen Richards
Respiratory therapist and pulmonary function lab supervisor at the Intermountain Cystic Fibrosis Center, University of Utah
For 25 years, Richards has long been involved in quality improvement. She participated in the first CF Foundation Learning and Leadership Collaborative in 2003-2004 and was a member of the CF pediatric benchmarking team in 2006. Richards helped develop the CF Foundation's Respiratory Therapy Mentoring Program, writing the Respiratory Therapy 101 document and serving as the facilitator for four years. In addition, she has served on the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC) Planning Committee since 2016. She also oversees the respiratory care for approximately 320 pediatric patients, including respiratory training for families of newly diagnosed children with CF.
“She puts my daughter's uncertainty and fears at ease the second she walks through the door at clinic. Managing CF is tough, and she empowers us and helps us navigate through our ever-changing emotions and struggles.” -- Parent of a pediatric patient with CF
Congratulations Kathleen! Barb would be so proud of her amazing friend and colleague!
Best buddies
Since1995 when Barb started at the University of Utah
Research Poster Apron
Fashioned for Kathleen by Barb