Mary M. Kontos Award

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.

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The Mary M. Kontos Care Champion Award honors Mary Kontos, who passed away in 2012 at age 60. A pediatric nurse practitioner and program coordinator at the Cystic Fibrosis Center at the Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo (New York), Kontos was deeply committed to the mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and played key roles in the Foundation's efforts to advance quality improvement locally and nationally.

The 2019 Kontos Award recipients are:

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

Barbara Jansma

Nurse practitioner, Center co-coordinator at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Engaged in CF care for 25 years, Barbara is co-coordinator of the care center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She led a multidisciplinary team that developed a clinical pathway for diagnosing and treating pancreatic insufficiency. A frequent presenter at NACFC, Barbara is the facilitator of the CF Foundation Nurse Practitioner Mentoring Program. Her commitment to quality improvement and education is inspired by her patients, particularly those families who she guides through the initial period after their children have been diagnosed with CF.

“I am now thriving, in nursing school, and working as a nurse tech. I have her to thank - not for getting me to this point, but for instilling in me the tools, skills, and confidence with tough, compassionate love to take control of my own health and my own life and to create my own path.” -- Former patient, now an adult with CF

Cindy George presented Barbara Jansma and Kathleen Richards the 2019 Mary M. Kontos Care Champion Award. (From left to right, George, Jansma, Richards.)
Cindy George presented Barbara Jansma and Kathleen Richards the 2019 Mary M. Kontos Care Champion Award. (From left to right, George, Jansma, Richards.)
Cindy George presented Barbara Jansma and Kathleen Richards the 2019 Mary M. Kontos Care Champion Award. (From left to right, George, Jansma, Richards.)
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