Makenzie Horner, RRT, is TidalHealth Peninsula Regional’s Tree of Life Award recipient for November 2025.
TidalHealth Peninsula Regional is pleased to announce that Makenzie Horner, RRT, is its Tree of Life Award recipient for November 2025.
This award honors respiratory therapists who provide exceptional care to patients, establish meaningful connections, and collaborate with the care team to ensure the best possible outcomes for their patients.
Horner was nominated by the family member of a recent patient for her compassion, dedication, professionalism and exceptional service:
“I was recently the family member of a patient in the Emergency Department (ED) for my 6-week-old grandbaby. He was in pretty severe respiratory distress when we brought him in. We were assessed quickly in triage and given a room. Makenzie was the [respiratory] therapist working in the ED that night.
I have been in the medical field as a respiratory therapist and critical care nurse and have great knowledge of what was going on, but when it is your loved one that is in distress, all of that knowledge falls by the wayside.
Makenzie was absolutely amazing to our family and me. She understood the clinical picture quickly and developed a plan of care before the pediatrician even entered the room. She brought in a baby warmer and placed my grandson on a heated high flow.
Makenzie was attentive to my grandson first and foremost, but also made sure that mom and dad were okay with all of her interactions with us. Makenzie had two students with her this shift and another extreme emergency that she was dealing with at the same time, yet still made sure that my grandson was being cared for and apologized frequently because she felt like she wasn't giving us enough of her time.
She was so wonderful, patient, kind and warm to us. She explained everything she was doing before she did it, and answered all of our questions without any hesitation. She really was our ‘rock’ that night and advocated for my grandson when needed. She gave us such peace of mind and is absolutely the best at her job. She is very valuable in every aspect of the word. Thank you, Makenzie!”
TidalHealth appreciates Horner and all of the respiratory therapists who provide exceptional care to patients throughout the health system.
To nominate a TidalHealth respiratory therapist for this award, visit tidalhealth.org/recognition.
