What The FACES Foundation does

The FACES Foundation (Family and Caregiver Education & Support) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2006 in Milford, Michigan, in memory of Philip Lamka, who passed away from interstitial lung disease. Its mission is to acknowledge and promote professional excellence in the education and care of patients with life-threatening pulmonary illnesses. The foundation operates The PHIL Award (Pulmonary Health & Illnesses of the Lungs), the only national hospital-based recognition program that honors respiratory therapists as nominated by patients, families, and caregivers. Since launch, the foundation has recognized over 1,000 respiratory therapists through 251 hospital partners encompassing 330 hospitals across 40 states and the District of Columbia.

The foundation's product portfolio centers on The PHIL Award plus the National Respiratory Patient Advocacy Award, co-developed with the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC). Supporting programs include the RT Community Speaks video testimonial series, a hospital partner portal for nominations and marketing materials, and the annual Philip C. Lamka Memorial Golf Outing as the primary fundraising event. The organization is led by President and co-founder Sharman Lamka and Director of Operations Lisa Hayes, with a Board of Directors that includes clinicians and healthcare industry executives.

Revenue is generated through four streams: recurring hospital partnership fees for PHIL Award program participation, one-time golf outing sponsorships (Gold $2,000 down to $250 hole sponsorships), corporate sponsorships led by an exclusive grant from Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, and individual donations starting at $25. The foundation relies on relationship-driven direct outreach to hospitals, AARC International Congress presence, and digital channels (website, social, podcast, newsletters) for partner acquisition. The organization is small (1–10 employees) and does not develop proprietary technology; its platform is the recognition program itself and the partner ecosystem around it.

Name

The FACES Foundation

Legal name

The FACES Foundation

Website

https://thefacesfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The FACES Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating The PHIL Award, the only national hospital-based recognition program for respiratory therapists, serving 251 hospital partners across 40 states plus D.C. with funding from hospital fees, donations, and corporate sponsorships led by Fisher & Paykel Healthcare.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Recognition Programs

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Hospital & Medical Service Plans (6324)

akta.pro primary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA), International & Local Implementing NGOs (HLAJAKAD)

Keywords

• Respiratory therapy recognition
• Hospital award programs
• Nonprofit healthcare awards
• Patient advocacy recognition
• Healthcare staff recognition

Headquarters

HQ city

Milford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Hospital Partnership Fees: Hospitals pay to become PHIL Award partners, receiving recognition program implementation support, marketing materials, and access to the national recognition platform. The foundation provides all support necessary for quick and effective implementation at partner hospitals.
2. Golf Outing and Event Sponsorships: Annual Philip C. Lamka Memorial Golf Outing generates revenue through event registrations (individual $125, foursome $450, student $100) and corporate sponsorships at various tiers (Gold $2,000, Silver $1,600, Bronze $1,000). Additional hole and contest sponsorships available at various price points.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners provide monetary support, including the exclusive sponsorship of The PHIL Award by Fisher & Paykel Healthcare. Companies share passion for respiratory care and support the foundation's mission through charitable grants and donations.
4. Donations: The foundation accepts donations at various levels ($25 to $1,000+) through its website. Donations support the mission to acknowledge and promote professional excellence in education and care of patients with life-threatening pulmonary illnesses. Commemorative and memorial giving options available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The FACES Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates The PHIL Award (Pulmonary Health & Illnesses of the Lungs), the only national hospital-based recognition program honoring respiratory therapists as nominated by patients, families, and caregivers. Hospitals pay annual partnership fees to implement the program locally and access implementation support, marketing materials, and a hospital partner portal. The foundation also co-presents the National Respiratory Patient Advocacy Award with the AARC and runs the annual Philip C. Lamka Memorial Golf Outing fundraiser.

Product overview

The FACES Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering a portfolio of recognition and advocacy programs centered on respiratory therapy excellence. Its core product is The PHIL Award (Pulmonary Health & Illnesses of the Lungs), the only national hospital-based award that honors respiratory therapists as nominated by patients, families, and caregivers. The organization also operates the National Respiratory Patient Advocacy Award in collaboration with AARC, an annual Philip C. Lamka Memorial Golf Outing fundraising event, the RT Community Speaks testimonial video series, and a Hospital Partner Program that provides hospitals with implementation support and marketing materials for recognizing their respiratory therapy teams. Through these programs, the foundation has partnered with over 250 hospitals encompassing 330 facilities across 40 states and Washington D.C.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The PHIL Award: The only national hospital-based award that honors respiratory therapists as nominated by patients, families, and other caregivers. Stands for Pulmonary Health & Illnesses of the Lungs.

Products and services

• The PHIL Award (Pulmonary Health & Illnesses of the Lungs) The signature national hospital-based recognition program of The FACES Foundation that honors respiratory therapists as nominated by patients, families, and caregivers. Since 2006, over 1,000 respiratory therapists have been honored through 251 hospital partners across 40 states and D.C.
• National Respiratory Patient Advocacy Award A recognition award co-presented by The FACES Foundation and the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) that commemorates respiratory therapists dedicated to patient and family-centered care. Honorees and finalists are recognized annually at the AARC International Congress.
• PHIL Award Hospital Partner Program A subscription-style partnership program that enables hospitals to implement The PHIL Award locally, including implementation support, marketing materials such as pull-up banners, and access to the Hospital Partner Portal for honoree photo submission and program management.
• Philip C. Lamka Memorial Golf Outing An annual fundraising golf event featuring foursome and individual registrations, multi-tier corporate sponsorships (Gold $2,000, Silver $1,600, Bronze $1,000, plus à la carte hole/contest sponsorships), and a silent auction. Proceeds support The PHIL Award program and the foundation's mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,000+ respiratory therapists have received The PHIL Award since 2006
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Fisher & Paykel HealthcareflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerFisher & Paykel Healthcare Inc. (Irvine, California) is the exclusive corporate sponsor of The PHIL Award (Pulmonary Health & Illnesses of the Lungs) through an unrestricted charitable grant. This partnership supports recognition of outstanding respiratory therapists at AARC Congress and throughout the year. Fisher & Paykel Healthcare helps the foundation recognize RTs for providing outstanding care.
• American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerA collaboration on the National Respiratory Patient Advocacy Award. The award commemorates respiratory therapists dedicated to patient and family-centered care. Representatives from both AARC and The FACES Foundation serve on the national review committee. Award recipient and finalist are honored annually at AARC Congress.
• Cooper University HospitalcoreOthersFirst PHIL Award hospital partner in New Jersey. Honoree Christopher Morley, RRT was recognized in 2023. The hospital received the AARC Apex Award in 2024.
• Children's Hospital of New OrleanscoreOthersBecame the first PHIL Award hospital partner from Louisiana, expanding the program to 39 states and the District of Columbia.
• Mayo Clinic MinnesotacoreOthersNew hospital partner announced October 2024; honoree Assad Ali, RRT, LRT recognized in 2024.
• Providence SwedishcoreOthersMultiple Providence Swedish locations became hospital partners including Cherry Hill Campus, First Hill Campus, Issaquah and Ballard Campus, and Everett Providence Regional Medical Center.
• Rochester Regional Health SystemcoreOthersMultiple hospital locations including Rochester General, Unity Hospital, Clifton Springs Hospital, United Memorial, Massena Hospital, Canton Potsdam Hospital, and Newark Wayne Hospital participate in the PHIL Award program.
• Norton HealthcarecoreOthersMultiple Norton Healthcare locations including Norton Hospital, Norton Audubon Hospital, Norton Brownsboro Hospital, Norton Children's Hospital, Norton Women's and Children's Hospital, and Norton West Louisville Hospital participate as PHIL Award partners.
• Texas Children's HospitalcoreOthersMultiple locations including Texas Children's Hospital - The Woodlands and Texas Children's Hospital - West Campus became hospital partners in 2024-2025.
• Baylor Scott & White HealthcoreOthersMultiple Baylor Scott & White locations including Baylor Scott & White Medical Center (Plano), Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center (Fort Worth), Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital (Denton and Plano) became hospital partners in 2025.
• Emory University HospitalcoreOthersEmory University Hospital and Emory University Hospital Midtown became hospital partners in 2024-2025; honoree Soumaya Osen, PhD, MHA, RRT, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS recognized in 2025.
• Yale New Haven HospitalcoreOthersBecame a new hospital partner in October 2024; honoree Anna Ceccarelli, RRT recognized in 2025.
• Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiacoreOthersLong-standing PHIL Award hospital partner; honoree Susmita Tarafdar, RRT-NPS was 2023 National Award Honoree; Vipin Varughese featured in RT Community Speaks video series.
• UCSF Medical Center/Benioff Children's HospitalcoreOthersPHIL Award hospital partner with multiple honorees recognized including Brian-Alvin Ching, RCP, RRT (2024).
• Draeger, Inc.minorOthersEdwin Coombs, MA, RRT-NPS, ACCS, FAARC, Senior Director of Marketing at Draeger, Inc. serves on The FACES Foundation Board of Directors.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The DAISY Foundation: Operates the DAISY Award, the most recognized patient-nominated nursing recognition program in US hospitals. Highly comparable as a nonprofit running a hospital-based, patient-nominated clinician recognition franchise at scale.
• American Respiratory Care Foundation: The charitable arm of AARC that funds research, education, and awards in respiratory care. Directly comparable mission space and overlapping award programs (e.g., Dr. Charles H. Hudson Award) targeting the same respiratory therapist community.

Broad incumbents

• American Lung Association: Large national nonprofit focused on lung health, including advocacy, research funding, and patient education. Comparable as a major lung-health mission-driven nonprofit, but operates at far broader scale across multiple lung diseases.
• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: Major disease-focused nonprofit funding CF research and care, including pulmonary care. Comparable as a pulmonary-illness grantmaking nonprofit, though focused on a single disease rather than the broader RT profession.
• COPD Foundation: Patient-focused nonprofit for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Comparable as a pulmonary-illness nonprofit with research funding and patient advocacy programs, overlapping the lung disease patient community FACES serves.
• American Thoracic Society: Professional medical society for pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine physicians and researchers. Comparable as an industry convening and recognition body in respiratory care, though physician-focused rather than RT-focused.

Regional players

• Respiratory Health Association: Mid-size lung-health nonprofit historically rooted in the Midwest. Comparable as a pulmonary-focused mission nonprofit, but with a regional footprint and broader disease scope versus FACES' national RT recognition focus.

Emerging players

• Pulmonary Hypertension Association: Patient-focused nonprofit for the pulmonary hypertension community. Comparable as a pulmonary-illness nonprofit that funds education and supports patients and families, intersecting with the population FACES' recognition program ultimately serves.
• American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative: Smaller disease-focused nonprofit in the pulmonary space. Comparable as a specialized lung-health nonprofit supporting patient and clinician education, though narrower disease focus than FACES' RT recognition mission.

Others

• Fisher & Paykel Healthcare: Global medical device company specializing in respiratory care products and the exclusive corporate sponsor of the PHIL Award. Listed as an adjacent strategic partner and funding source rather than a direct program peer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TheFACESFound
• Facebookfacebook.com/thefacesfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-faces-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/thefacesfound

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The FACES Foundation