The landscape of respiratory care is defined not only by the clinical expertise of its practitioners but by their unwavering commitment to education, advocacy, and community engagement. As we navigate the complexities of modern healthcare, members of the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) continue to distinguish themselves as leaders, innovators, and pillars of their respective communities.
From the halls of academia to the front lines of hospital maternity wards and the investigative depths of environmental health, AARC members are driving the profession forward. This report highlights the recent achievements, personal milestones, and public contributions of several members whose work exemplifies the vital role of the respiratory therapist (RT) in the 21st century.
The Academic Frontier: Elevating the Profession
Boise State University’s New School of Respiratory Care
The evolution of respiratory care education reached a significant milestone at Boise State University, where the discipline has been elevated to its own School of Respiratory Care. Previously operating under the umbrella of the School of Allied Health Sciences, this transition represents a strategic move to foster greater autonomy in research, curriculum development, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
AARC member Megan Koster, EdD, RRT, RRT-NPS, FAARC, has been instrumental in this transition. Dr. Koster’s leadership during this organizational restructuring underscores a growing trend in higher education: the recognition of respiratory care as a distinct, essential academic pillar. By carving out a dedicated school, Boise State empowers RT educators to secure more robust research funding, refine specialized training modules, and ultimately produce clinicians who are better prepared for the technological demands of contemporary pulmonary medicine.
Excellence in Advancement: The Apex Award
Academic rigor is further validated by national recognition. Joan Kreiger, EdD, RRT, RPFT, FNAP, FAARC, recently represented Southern Connecticut State University as it accepted the prestigious AARC Apex Award. The honor recognizes the university’s Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) degree advancement program, a critical initiative designed to bridge the gap between associate-level practice and the advanced clinical leadership required by modern healthcare systems.
Dr. Kreiger accepted the award at the AARC Congress 2026 in Phoenix, an event that serves as a nexus for the brightest minds in the field. The Apex Award is not merely a trophy; it is a signal to the industry that degree advancement programs are vital to the profession’s longevity and the quality of patient outcomes.
Compassion at the Bedside: The Personal Impact of RTs
A Family Affair: Bridging the Gap in the NICU
While systemic changes are essential, the heart of the profession remains the individual patient interaction. The story of AARC member John Dvorak, BS, RRT, captured by St. Cloud LIVE, serves as a poignant reminder of the personal stakes involved in respiratory therapy.
Dvorak’s journey into the field was tested when his own niece required neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) support due to acute respiratory distress shortly after birth. In an industry where clinicians are trained to maintain a professional distance, Dvorak found himself uniquely positioned to advocate for his family. His experience highlights the "human element" of the profession—the ability to interpret complex ventilator data and physiological cues not just as a clinician, but as a protector. His story has resonated widely, reminding the public that RTs are often the most critical advocates for their patients during their most vulnerable moments.
Celebrating the Next Generation
The cycle of mentorship and professional entry was on full display at Newman University, where a recent pinning ceremony celebrated the next cohort of respiratory care graduates. AARC members Tim Cho, MD, RRT, and Charity Clark, MSOHRD, RRT, alongside student member Haven Sjogren, were featured in reports detailing the ceremony.
Pinning ceremonies are more than academic formalities; they are symbolic transitions from student to practitioner. The involvement of established members like Dr. Cho and Professor Clark ensures that the tradition of excellence is passed down with a clear understanding of the ethical and clinical standards that define AARC membership.
Public Health and Advocacy: Beyond the Hospital Walls
Investigating Environmental Hazards
Respiratory therapists are increasingly serving as experts in public health, particularly concerning air quality and environmental triggers. AARC member Joseph Buhain, EdD, MBA, RRT, CHSOS, CMSP, FAARC, NBREMTB, recently provided expert commentary for a WINK News investigation into a Florida waste and recycling plant.
Residents near the facility reported a surge in health concerns linked to persistent dust particles. Dr. Buhain’s involvement illustrates the versatility of the RT credential. By analyzing the intersection of environmental particulate matter and respiratory health, Dr. Buhain bridged the gap between clinical respiratory pathology and public policy. His contribution highlights a growing necessity: the need for RTs to act as consultants in environmental health to protect community lung health before acute clinical intervention becomes necessary.
High-Performing Maternity Care
Recognition for excellence in hospital performance often rests on the shoulders of the multidisciplinary team. At the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, the facility was recently named a 2026 High Performing Hospital for Maternity Care by U.S. News & World Report. AARC member Haley Mitchell, RRT, RRT-NPS, was featured in the coverage of this achievement.
Maternity care is inherently a respiratory challenge for neonates, and the presence of specialized RRT-NPS (Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist) staff is a key metric in achieving such high rankings. Mitchell’s role in this success reinforces the fact that high-quality maternity care is a team sport, with the respiratory therapist serving as the primary gatekeeper for neonatal oxygenation and ventilation safety.
Arts, Culture, and the RT Spirit
The diversity of the AARC membership is further evidenced by the personal pursuits of its members. Jim Rudegeair, RRT, RRT-ACCS, recently gained local media attention for a unique artistic contribution. In anticipation of America’s semi-quincentennial (the 250th anniversary of the nation) in 2026, Rudegeair designed a custom Liberty Bell sculpture.
While his work as a respiratory therapist with the RRT-ACCS (Adult Critical Care Specialty) credential keeps him focused on the life-saving science of the ICU, his creative efforts demonstrate the well-rounded nature of the AARC community. The pursuit of the arts serves as a necessary outlet for healthcare professionals, fostering the creativity and patience required to solve complex problems in the clinical setting.
Implications for the Future of Respiratory Care
The collective activities of these AARC members provide a roadmap for the future of the profession. Several key themes emerge:
- Specialization as a Growth Engine: The transition at Boise State University demonstrates that respiratory care is gaining the institutional respect required to command its own academic territory.
- The "Expert Witness" Role: As environmental hazards and public health crises become more prevalent, the RT’s knowledge of pulmonary mechanics makes them ideal candidates for community advocacy and environmental health oversight, as demonstrated by Dr. Buhain.
- The Integration of Clinical and Humanist Values: The stories of John Dvorak and the pinning ceremonies at Newman University emphasize that the technical nature of the job is secondary to the human connection that defines the patient experience.
- Credentialing and Quality: The recognition of the Apex Award and the U.S. News & World Report ranking for maternity care validate the importance of advanced certifications (NPS, ACCS) and degree advancement programs.
As we look toward 2026 and beyond, the AARC remains committed to supporting these professionals. The members highlighted here are not just practitioners; they are the architects of a more robust, scientifically grounded, and compassionate healthcare system. Their ability to balance the demands of the ICU with the needs of the community is a testament to the resilience and versatility of the modern respiratory therapist.
The profession continues to move toward a model of practice where the RT is not just a participant in a care plan, but a leader in the design of care delivery, an advocate for public health, and a steward of the next generation of clinicians. As these members continue to make strides, the entire respiratory care community benefits, setting a standard of excellence that reverberates across the healthcare landscape.
