Rapid City, SD (Oct. 22, 2025) – Lisa Aguilar, RRT, RPFT, was awarded Monument Health’s 2024 PHIL award. The Phil Award, which is The FACES Foundation’s signature program, is the only nationally recognized hospital-based recognition program dedicated to honoring outstanding respiratory therapists who provide exemplary care and treatment for patients with respiratory illnesses. Winners are nominated by patients, family members and other caregivers.
Lisa was nominated by multiple patients. Here is some of what they had to say about her care:
- Patient 1: “Lisa is one of a kind. She is kind, professional and is always smiling. She makes you feel so comfortable and not just a patient but a person that matters. I look forward to seeing her monthly for my treatment and recommend her to all.”
- Patient 2: “Lisa has a way of making a person feel comfortable and valuable, yes, that is the only word that explains it. Lisa was our main therapist and always made the lessons interesting, fun, helped us feel at ease and answered all the questions we had. Her encouragement with the exercises invigorated me and helped
Lisa has been with Monument Health since 2005. She started her career as an respiratory therapy assistant then became a Registered Respiratory Therapist in 2013. In 2022, Lisa earned her RPFT credential, which validates an RT’s specialized skill in Pulmonary Function testing. She currently works as an RT in the outpatient setting, performing various PFTs and treatments while also facilitating the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program.
Monument Health adopted The PHIL award in April 2023 to recognize respiratory therapists who are heart and lung specialists. They work with patients of all ages, from premature babies to the elderly. Disease states or conditions often requiring diagnostic and therapeutic respiratory care include asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia and respiratory distress syndrome. Respiratory Therapists also manage ventilators and artificial airway devices for adult, pediatric and infant patients who can’t breathe normally on their own.
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About the FACES Foundation
The FACES Foundation was founded in 2006 to acknowledge and promote professional excellence in the education and care of patients with life-threatening pulmonary illnesses. The FACES Foundation is dedicated to educating professionals, patients, and families on issues relevant to lung disease.
About Monument Health
Headquartered in Rapid City, S.D., Monument Health is a community-based health care system with a mission to make a difference, every day. The system offers care in 31 medical specialties and serves 14 communities across western South Dakota and in eastern Wyoming. With over 5,000 physicians and caregivers, Monument Health is composed of 5 hospitals and 38 medical clinics and specialty centers. Monument Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.