AARC Strategic Plan 2026–2028

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.

Vision

The AARC will be the leading organization to advance the profession of respiratory care worldwide.

Mission

The AARC is the foremost professional association promoting respiratory therapists.

Strategy

The AARC will serve its members and engage, elevate, advocate, and educate the respiratory care profession.

Objectives

1A. Foster leadership skills at the chartered affiliates level through tools, resources, and educational offerings.

1B. Effectively communicate the AARC message.

1C. Optimize, develop, and implement value-added benefits, programs and resources with relevance to diverse needs of members and which incentivize long-term membership.

1D. Cultivate a sense of belonging for all members.

Objectives

2A. Showcase professional impact through patient experiences and quantified data.

2B. Develop tools and resources to support front-line leaders.

2C. Continue producing evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines based on the needs and trends of the profession.

2D. Highlight varied career paths in the profession.

2E. Examine and optimize leadership structure for AARC publications.

2F. Promote value of Apex Designation recognition and participation.

2G. Identify key research priorities and advance respiratory therapists as researchers.

Objectives

3A. Enhance partnerships and professional collaborations to advance health policy strategy.

3B. Partner with federal agencies to monitor and address RT workforce shortages.

3C. Strengthen AARC and VHA partnership to expand work within the Veteran population.

3D. Support state legislative adoption of APRT licensure and program expansion.

3E. Continue developing federal and state legislative policies that advance respiratory therapy initiatives, such as compact licensure, RRT to entry, and the SOAR Act.

3F. Champion high-quality respiratory care through recognition programs, potentially including accreditation programs.

Objectives

4A. Advance RT education and research through scholarships and grants.

4B. Develop microcredentials to expand career opportunities and enhancement.

4C. Enhance AARC professional development programs, such as leadership, research, and quality assurance and improvement programs.

4D. Enhance tools and resources to support faculty and clinical educators.

4E. Recruit and support RT students and graduates through professional development and leadership opportunities (e.g., NextGen RT Network, volunteer opportunities, career path resources, etc.).

4F. Continue producing high-level educational content relevant to the RT professional’s needs and career journey.

Overall Expected Outcomes for the Strategic Plan

• Increase membership by at least 3% while maintaining 90% retention.
• Increase output from research grants and awards.
• Increase RT advocacy engagement by at least 10%.
• 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%.