Annual USRC Awards

Provider of the Year
Dr Roger Paulman
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Compassionate – Prioritizes patient-centered care with empathy.
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Warm – Builds strong, trusting relationships with patients and students.
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Inspiring – Mentors future providers with excellence and humanity.
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Professional – Communicates with honesty and care, even in tough moments.
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Supportive – Champions respiratory therapy education and community impact.
Submitted by WSU Faculty & Students
Leader of the Year
Micheale Cluff
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Visionary – Leads with forward-thinking strategies to advance respiratory care.
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Advocate – Champions legislation for safer patient care and RT inclusion.
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Determined – Fiercely supports airway management in freestanding EDs.
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Trailblazer – First to secure RT approval in Saratoga Springs ED.
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Community-Focused – Committed to improving healthcare access statewide.
Submitted by Kyle White


Preceptor of the Year
Joshua Lee
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Supportive – Encourages hands-on learning and student involvement.
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Patient – Takes time to thoroughly explain and teach, even when exhausted.
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Kind – Approachable and caring in all interactions.
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Engaging – Actively connects students with valuable clinical experiences.
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Dedicated – Maintains high teaching standards across long shifts.
Submitted by Anonymous WSU Student

Student of the Year
Cyrena Grimm
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Driven – Maintains a 3.85 GPA while excelling in rigorous academics.
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Collaborative – Leads peers as cohort VP, fostering teamwork and engagement.
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Innovative – Initiated and led impactful radon awareness programs.
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Passionate – Enthusiastic about education, advocacy, and public health.
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Resilient – Returned to education after 20 years, showing strong personal growth.
Submitted by WSU Faculty
Board Member of the Year
Kevin Creeze






