Erkinger honored by American Association for Respiratory Care

Jennifer Erkinger, clinical specialist Respiratory Therapy at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital was named Specialty Practitioner of the Year (SPOTY) for Neonatal/Pediatrics by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC).

Erkinger’s manager, Ashley Grim, commented, “Jenn is a remarkable advocate for evidence-based practices that enhance patient outcomes. Her commitment to educating the entire care team is evident as she tirelessly serves as a clinical expert in neonatal and pediatric care at our Children’s Hospital. Her dedication to advancing the field of respiratory care is truly inspiring. Jenn has not only refined our standards of care to align with the latest evidence but has also collaborated with other children’s hospitals nationwide to share insights on both challenges and successes. Her influence on practice improvement is unparalleled, and I feel honored to witness her incredible work ethic and the significant impact she makes every day.”

Erkinger said, “Having the ability to reach out to others in my specialty field to find guidance, receive education and interact with those walking through similar clinical challenges is so helpful as I work to provide our patients with the most evidence-based practices. When we come together, there’s no health system or competition, but simply a desire to learn from each other so we can all do better for our patients.”

SPOTY awards recognize a member from each of the AARC specialty sections who earns special recognition through professional service, leadership and scholarship. There are eight recipients chosen from across the country each year.

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