Mike D’Amico’s connection to FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake began long before his career. He was born at the hospital, started working there as a teenager and even met his wife, Noel, while they were both team members.
Now, after 41 years of service, the respiratory supervisor continues to find fulfillment in caring for patients and supporting his colleagues.
A Career Built on Opportunity
Mike’s journey began in 1981 when Sister Mary Edana Corcoran helped him become a radiology assistant at the then-new Essen Lane campus while he was finishing high school.
That early opportunity sparked an interest in healthcare that would shape his future.
With encouragement from Jim Hammerschmidt, a former director who became an important mentor, Mike pursued respiratory therapy. He began with on-the-job training before returning to school and advancing in his career.
Today, Mike serves as a respiratory supervisor, helping patients, solving problems and supporting a team he considers family.
“I enjoy caring for our patients, helping others and troubleshooting issues,” Mike says. “I am also part of an awesome RT team.”
Making a Lasting Impact
For Mike, some of the most meaningful moments come from making patients and their families smile. One recent encounter reminded him just how lasting those connections can be.
While shopping at Walmart, a man approached Mike and recognized him from an asthma camp nearly three decades earlier.
“We never know how the things we do impact the community we serve,” Mike recalls.
Beyond patient care, Mike has also shared his talents by cooking large pots of jambalaya for hospital events and fundraisers, another way he has supported the Our Lady of the Lake family.
A Family That Keeps Growing
After more than four decades, Mike continues to appreciate the ministry’s growth and the opportunities it creates for others.
He takes particular pride in seeing new respiratory therapists join the team and begin their own careers.
For Mike, the sense of family that has defined his time at Our Lady of the Lake remains as strong as ever. It’s a place where he has built a career, formed lifelong relationships and found countless opportunities to make a difference.
