Dr. Forrest Bird Receives Presidential Citizens Medal

December 12, 2008

Long-time AARC member Forrest M. Bird, MD, PhD, ScD, was honored recently with the Presidential Citizens Medal. Established in 1969 to recognize U.S. citizens who have performed exemplary deeds of service for the nation, it is one of the highest honors the President can confer upon a civilian, second only to the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

President Bush bestowed the medal on Dr. Bird during a ceremony held in the White House on December 10, recognizing him for helping to transform and enhance quality of life for people around the world through his groundbreaking contributions to mechanical ventilation, and for working to keep America at the forefront of discovery.

After inventing the first modern respirator in 1955, Dr. Bird flew his own plane across the country, visiting facilities with critically ill patients who had failed other treatments to evaluate the device. The Bird respirator was introduced to the market in 1956; and in 1970, Dr. Bird followed with the BabyBird, which is credited with reducing infant mortality due to respiratory problems from 70% to less than 10%.

Dr. Bird has been a member of the AARC since 1956, working closely with respiratory therapists to ensure high quality of care for people with lung conditions. He was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in the mid-1990s.