Commemorating Respiratory Care Week

This week is Respiratory Care Week. The theme this year is "Respiratory Therapists: Working Together, Saving Lives." Concorde and its respiratory therapist programs across the country joined the American Association for Respiratory Care in recognizing and celebrating this annual event that recognizes the respiratory care profession and raises awareness for improving lung health around the world.

Respiratory Care Week is a time for respiratory therapists to tell their stories and educate their communities. It also is a time to celebrate respiratory therapists and respiratory therapist students. Our Concorde students at campuses across the country are doing just that. They're celebrating with events that not only recognize their own work and that of RTs everywhere. Students also are giving thanks to Concorde affiliate organizations that work with them.

Here's a sampling of what some of our Concorde campuses have planned to commemorate Respiratory Care Week.

Celebrating Respiratory Care Week

The Miramar, FL campus hosted a pot luck Monday with its two cohorts and also presented gifts to the students, said Arleen Avariano, BA, RRT, Director of Concorde respiratory therapist programs in Miramar, FL.

Amir Mirisoleiman, BS, RRT, Director of Concorde respiratory therapist programs in San Antonio, TX, said his students take either breakfast or lunch to the 22 clinical sites which serve as affiliates for the program. Students spend time visiting with staff at each site and also include a thank you card and small token of appreciation.

Concorde respiratory therapist programs in Portland, OR. is furnishing cupcakes, candy and having a raffle for prizes for all three of its cohorts during the week, according to Program Director Leeann Forsythe, RRT, BHSc. The governor of Oregon, Kate Brown, also presented the campus with a proclamation proclaiming and honoring Respiratory Care Week.

The Jacksonville, FL campus has a Mardi Gras theme planned for the week and will be having a luncheon at the end of the week to celebrate, according to Kimberly Buckaloo, RRT, Director of Concorde respiratory therapy programs in Jacksonville, FL. Some activities will include RT trivia, celebrating the senior class with announcements and special T-shirts and giving RT gifts to all students as a thank you for their hard work to keep the profession moving forward.

Students in Concorde respiratory therapist programs in Dallas, TX performed pulmonary function testing for the campus and gave out smoking cessation pamphlets. They also took small gifts like cookies and popcorn to clinical affiliates.