National Organization Honors Leading Respiratory Therapists With Life Memberships
Dallas, TX (January 17, 2008) – The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), a 45,000-member national association for respiratory therapists (RTs), honored two leading RTs with Life Member awards at its recent International Respiratory Congress held in Orlando, FL.
Doug McIntyre, RRT, who is with Durable Medical Supply in Destrehan , LA , received a Life Member award for his leadership in both the development of cutting edge respiratory care departments in the South and the formation of respiratory care educational programs in Costa Rica . McIntyre also played an instrumental role in helping respiratory therapists in Mississippi achieve state licensure, ensuring only qualified respiratory therapists are allow to practice in the state.
Joseph L. Rau, PhD, RRT, professor emeritus at Georgia State University in Atlanta , also received a Life Member award. Dr. Rau has been a leading educator in the profession for many years and is credited with the publication of more than 45 studies in scientific and medical journals. He is also the author of 16 books or book chapters dealing with respiratory care, and is a member of the editorial board at Respiratory Care , the premiere science journal in the respiratory care profession, published by the AARC.
Respiratory therapists are specialized health care providers who take care of people with lung conditions ranging from asthma to COPD. They work throughout the acute care hospital on the general wards, in the emergency department, and in the intensive care units, and are also increasingly being found in sleep centers, physician offices, outpatient clinics, pulmonary rehabilitation programs, skilled nursing facilities, and in patients' homes.
-30
RRT stands for Registered Respiratory Therapist
About the AARC
The American Association for Respiratory Care, headquartered in Dallas , is a professional association of respiratory therapists that focuses primarily on respiratory therapy education and research. The organization's goals are to ensure that respiratory patients receive safe and effective care from qualified professionals as well as supporting respiratory health care providers. Further information about the AARC and how to become a respiratory therapist are available at www.AARC.org .
Contact:
Beth Binkley
972-243-2272
binkley@aarc.org
