The Zenith Awards were started in 1989 as a way to recognize companies in the respiratory industry for their support of the profession. The AARC Zenith Award is the “people’s choice” award of the respiratory care profession because its recipients are chosen by you — the respiratory therapist. Manufacturers, service organizations, and supply companies receive votes based on the quality of equipment, supplies, or services; accessibility and helpfulness of sales personnel; responsiveness; service record; truth in advertising; and support of the respiratory care profession.
Voting for the 2023 Zenith Awards starts June 14 and runs through Aug. 22.
AARC annually lists 120–180 companies on the ballot. To be listed, companies must have conducted some type of “business” with the AARC during the previous year — exhibit, sponsorship, advertising, etc. Each summer when launched, the Zenith Awards are voted on by the AARC membership for a period of six weeks.
From 1989–2011, the top five companies were selected as winners. In 2012, AARC increased the number to the top six vote getters that now receive the award. Since 2018, AARC has also recognized companies as runners-up if their votes are within 10% of the sixth place vote total.
AARC Zenith Award Recipients
Aerogen
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Inc.
Medtronic
Monaghan Medical Corp.
Drager
Tri-anim Health Services
Hamilton Medical
2022
Aerogen
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Inc.
Medtronic/Puritan-Bennett
Masimo
Hamilton Medical
Dräger, Inc.
2021
Aerogen
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Inc.
Medtronic
Monaghan Medical Corp.
Philips
Tri-anim Health Services
2020
Aerogen
Fisher & Paykel
Monaghan Medical
Philips Healthcare
Tri-anim Health Services
Vapotherm
2019
Aerogen
Draeger Medical
Fisher & Paykel
Hamilton Medical
Monaghan Medical Corporation
Philips
2018
Aerogen
Draeger Medical
Fisher & Paykel
Monaghan Medical Corporation
Philips
Tri-anim Health Services
2017
Aerogen
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Inc
Monaghan Medical Corporation
Philips Healthcare
Tri-anim Health Services
Vyaire Medical
2016
Aerogen
CareFusion
Draeger
Fisher & Paykel
Monaghan Medical
Philips Respironics
2015
Aerogen
CareFusion
Drager Medical
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare
Monaghan Medical
Philips Healthcare
2014
CareFusion
Covidien
Draeger
Masimo
Resmed
Teleflex
2013
Aerogen
Covidien
Draeger Medical Inc.
Masimo Corporation
Philips Respironics
Teleflex Medical
2012
Boehringer Ingelheim
Covidien
Draeger
Fisher & Paykel
Philips
Teleflex
2011
Covidien
Draeger
Philips Respironics
Masimo
Carefusion
2010
CareFusion
Covidien
Draeger
Kimberly-Clark
Masimo Corporation
2009
CareFusion
Covidien
Draeger Medical
GE Healthcare
Masimo
2008
Cardinal Health
Covidien
Masimo
Monaghan Medical
Respironics
2007
Cardinal Health
Covidien
INO Therapeutics
Monaghan Medical
Respironics
Cardinal Health
INO therapeutics
Maquet
Nellcor Puritan Bennett
Respironics
Viasys Healthcare
2005
Cardinal Health
Maquet
Nellcor Puritan Bennett
Respironics
Viasys Healthcare
2004
Cardinal Health
Monaghan Medical
Nellcor Puritan Bennett
Pulmonetic Systems
VIASYS Healthcare
2003
Boehringer Ingelheim
DHD Healthcare
Nellcor Puritan Bennett
Respironics
Sepracor
2002
Bayer Diagnostics
Nellcor Puritan Bennett
ResMed
Respironics
VIASYS Healthcare
2001
DHD Healthcare
Monaghan Medical
Puritan Bennett
Salter Labs
VIASYS Healthcare
2000
Allegiance Healthcare
DHD Healthcare
GlaxoWellcome
Mallinckrodt
Pulmonetics Systems
1999
Dey Labs
Hamilton
Mallinckrodt
Monaghan
Respironics
1998
AVL Scientific
Dey Labs
DHD
Nellcor Puritan Bennett
Respironics
1997
Dey Labs
DHD
GlaxoWellcome
Radiometer
Siemens
1996 (tie for 4)
AVL
DHD
Monaghan
Nellcor Puritan Bennett
Respironics
1995
Allen & Hanburys
Baxter
Ciba Corning
Lifecare
Nellcor Puritan Bennett
Siemens
1994
Allen & Hanburys
Ohmeda
Puritan Bennett
Respironics
Siemens
1993
Allen & Hanburys
IL
Monaghan
Nellcor
Respironics
1992
Allen & Hanburys
Baxter
Hudson RCI
Nellcor
Puritan-Bennett
1991
Allen & Hanburys
IL
Puritan-Bennett
Radiometer
Respironics
1990
Allen & Hanburys
Baxter
Ohmeda
Puritan-Bennett
Siemens
1989
Allen & Hanburys
Hudson
Nellcor
Puritan-Bennett
Siemens