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About the AARC

AARC Strategic Plan 2026–2028

The vision, strategy, and mission of the American Association for Respiratory Care

Following the success of the 2022–2025 Strategic Plan, the AARC Board of Directors and other key volunteers have collaboratively set the organization’s course for the next three years to continue our work to engage and educate members, elevate respiratory therapy around the globe, and advocate for the profession. Please check back regularly, as AARC will be updating our progress on the implementation of these important goals.

The 2026–2028 Strategic Plan is also available in PDF format.

AARC Vision, Strategy, and Mission AARC Vision, Strategy, and Mission

Engage

Maximize membership value and engagement

Engage icon

Objectives

  1. Foster leadership skills at the affiliate level.

    Progress
    Notes
    • On track.
    • The HOD Best Practices committee is kicking off an Affiliate Support Series in February 2026 to help foster leadership and governance skills. This will complement the annual Leadership Boot Camp event held in late summer. .
    • Communication resources and messaging for Affiliates are in a planning stage, to kick off Q1 2026 and run through the entirety of the strategic plan.

  2. Effectively communicate the AARC message.

    Progress
    Notes
    • On track.
    • The AARC Communications and Marketing team is working to develop content and communication plans to support RT recruitment strategies, AARC social outreach, Affiliate work, and c-suite engagement.

  3. Optimize benefits relevant for diverse member needs.

    Progress
    Notes
    • Planned.
    • AARC Staff, with continued collaboration with the IDEAA Committee, will produce resources to support affiliates and the membership overall, helping meet member needs and awareness.
    • AARC Membership is actively exploring ways to increase volunteer opportunities, assess overall engagement and interest, and leverage AI knowledge assistance to enhance member experiences.

  4. Cultivate belonging.

    Progress
    Notes
    • On track.
    • AARC Membership continues to develop content for membership nurturing campaigns focused on students and recent graduates, in addition to general membership recruitment and retention work. This includes enhancing AARConnect features, such as the design, Mentor Hub, and mobile app for quick community access.

Elevate

Expand influence and impact of RTs

Elevate icon

Objectives

  1. Showcase impact with data and patient experiences.

    Progress
    Notes
    • On track.
    • AARC Marketing and Communications are seeking PR Firm support to maximize promotion and outreach efforts.
    • With the launch of RC Central, AARC invites members to share their story by using a new online form.

  2. Tools for front-line leaders.

    Progress
    Notes
    • On track.
    • AARC Executive Office is working with the SESG committee to develop new educational learning opportunities.
    • 2026 Emerging Leaders have been announced.
    • Leadership Grand Rounds kicked off in January and will continue throughout the year.
      • January attendance: 95.
      • February attendance: 109.

  3. Produce evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines.

    Progress
    Notes
    • On track.
    • AARC is actively working to produce three CPGs this year focused on the following topics:
      • Management of adult patients with tracheostomy in the acute care setting.
      • Management of pediatric patients with oxygen in the acute care setting.
      • Management of Technology-Dependent Children.

  4. Promote career paths.

    Progress
    Notes
    • On track.
    • AARC continues promoting and developing career exploration resources, such as through the Career Center.
    • Be An RT materials now offer updated salary information and are available in Spanish. AARC continues seeking HOSA-related events and opportunities for RT promotion and recruitment.

  5. Optimize publication leadership.

    Progress
    Notes
    • On Track.
    • AARC is on track for recruiting new content, writers, and experts for Respiratory Care Reports.

  6. Promote Apex.

    Progress
    Notes
    • On track.
    • AARC prepares for the next round of Apex applications while exploring enhanced opportunities to promote Apex overall.

  7. Identify and promote research priorities.

    Progress
    Notes
    • On track.
    • AARC continues promoting Respiratory Care Reports as new articles become available.
    • AARC and ARCF continue to align research priorities and funding strategies to ensure investments support strategic professional needs with appropriate governance separation.

Advocate

Advance health policy and legislation

Advocate icon

Objectives

  1. Advance policy via partnerships.

    Progress
    Notes
    • On track.
    • AARC continues to work with BOMA for advocacy support, in addition to exploring other professional societies for further advocacy support.

  2. Workforce shortage advocacy.

    Progress
    Notes
    • On track.
    • AARC staff continue supporting the Workforce Recovery Taskforce and are on trak for identifying HRSA opportunities and developing legislation/appropriations language to address workforce opportunities.

  3. Expand VHA collaboration.

    Progress
    Notes
    • On track.
    • AARC is evaluating a plan for a PFT Lab Accreditation Pilot.
    • AARC continues to collaborate with the VHA on APRT opportunities.

  4. Support APRT licensure among states.

    Progress
    Notes
    • On track.
    • AARC is developing APRT Best Practices Legislation.
    • The Advanced RT Fund continues to flourish with the next LOI due May 1.

  5. Support compact licensure, SOAR Act, and RRT to entry.

    Progress
    Notes
    • On track.
    • States are making significant progress toward Compact Licensure Legislation.
      • 13 states have filed this year.
    • AARC continues to support legislative initiatives.
    • AARC is currently planning the 2026 Fly-in, to be held June 1–2.

  6. Accreditation and recognition for high-quality RT care.

    Progress
    Notes
    • On track.
    • PFT Lab Accreditation development continues with Bridger Group, including program framework, accreditation model, and pilot pathway evaluation.

Educate

Develop and advance the RT workforce

Educate icon

Objectives

  1. Advance education through scholarships and grants.

    Progress
    Notes
    • On track.
    • Coordination with ARCF is ongoing to align scholarship and grant activity with AARC priorities and recent Board decisions, including the transition of select grant programs to ARCF administration.
    • Continued management of the Advanced RT Fund.
    • Opened Marketing Education Grant application in February 2026 to support BSRT expansion goals.

  2. Develop micro-credentials.

    Progress
    Notes
    • On track.
    • AARC continues seeking micro-credential opportunities through industry collaboration.

  3. Expand professional development programs.

    Progress
    Notes
    • On track.
    • AARC continues the planning and development of major events for 2026, to include Summer Forum and Congress.
    • AARC continues working with HOD Best Practices to develop Affiliate Support Resources.

  4. Support faculty and clinical educators.

    Progress
    Notes
    • On track.
    • AARC continues producing content and communication for faculty and clinical educators. A survey is also being planned to seek out insight from program directors/clinical educators that can support AARC communications and marketing.

  5. Engage students and grads (NextGen, etc.).

    Progress
    Notes
    • On track.
    • AARC continues planning content for RT students, recent graduates, and early careerists.
    • AARC continues development and launch plans for AARConnect Community App.

  6. Produce high-level educational content.

    Progress
    Notes
    • On track.
    • AARC continues to develop new courses and refresh older courses.

Expected Outcomes

  • Increase membership by at least 3% while maintaining 90% retention.
  • Increase output from research grants and awards.
  • Drive policy changes to improve reimbursement and expand patient access to respiratory care.
  • Increase the number of graduates from accredited RT programs by at least 3%.
  • Increase the number of organizations with an Apex designation by at least 25%.
  • Increase RT advocacy engagement by at least 10%.