Lindsey Sherf, a senior student in Indiana University of Pennsylvania's Respiratory Care program from Kittanning, has been selected by the program faculty as the Class of 2021 recipient of the Ann and Daniel McCauley Memorial Award for Respiratory Care.
Each year, the respiratory care faculty nominates worthy candidates, and subsequently votes for one graduating senior to receive this prestigious award.
The recipient is one who best exemplifies and demonstrates the “4 Cs” of Respiratory Care—Compassion, Caring, Communication, and Competence—in their day-to-day interactions with others, and most importantly, their clinical interactions with patients.
Scherf, of Silvis Hollow Road, Kittanning, is the daughter of Mark Moore, Log Cabin Road, Kittanning, and Theresa Hudepohl, North Race Street, Worthington. She is a 2016 graduate of Armstrong Junior Senior High School.
Scherf is graduating with a bachelor of science in respiratory care with a minor in psychology. A dean's list student at IUP, she served as the class representative for the senior respiratory care class and was active in the IUP Respiratory Care Club student group. She volunteered to serve food at Ronald McDonald House in Pittsburgh and worked to ensure social distancing at Bloomfield Market. She completed an internship at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, where she will work after her IUP graduation.
The McCauley Award was first established in 1993 by the Daniel McCauley family of Penn Hills, as a legacy to memorialize their beloved wife and mother, Ann. When Ann became ill and hospitalized, she and the family members routinely noted those clinicians who provided her with exemplary care and concern. Because daughter Patricia had graduated with a degree in respiratory care from IUP, the respiratory therapists were especially scrutinized for these qualities.
Following Ann's untimely passing, Dan and their daughters (Margaret McCauley Hamerly '70, Patricia McCauley '76, and Maureen McCauley McArdle) decided to create an annual award at IUP. Working with the Foundation for IUP, they determined that the honor would go to a student in the graduating class, acknowledging the qualities most appreciated by Ann and her family. The “4 Cs” were top of mind as the Ann McCauley Memorial Award was established.
For many years, Dan McCauley attended the annual respiratory care graduation ceremonies to present the award to the deserving graduate—even making the trip while requiring supplemental oxygen. Upon his passing in 2003, the McCauley sisters included their father's name in the title of the award. Since then, Maureen, of Greensburg, has often been the presenter, with a sister or two accompanying her.
“While it's always a difficult decision to select only one recipient, Lindsey is very deserving of the honor,” Jackie Heisler, faculty member and program director for IUP's respiratory program, said. “She is very mature, polite, and caring in her interactions with patients and staff.”