THE PURPOSE: Respiratory Care Week is a week set to honor and recognize respiratory therapists. Respiratory Care Week is celebrated internationally but most notably in Canada and the United States. Respiratory Care Week, a time to honor and recognize the invaluable contributions of respiratory therapists to patient care.
THE HISTORY: In November 1982, President Ronald Reagan established the third week of October as National Respiratory Care Week. What began as a humble initiative has now transformed into a celebration of unity and excellence within the profession. As we enter the year 2023, the significance of this week remains unwavering. Respiratory Care Week is usually the last full week of October. Celebrate Respiratory Care Week 2023 (Oct. 22–28) and let your community, patients, and colleagues know how vital you are to patient care. Use the tag #RCWEEK23 on your social posts!
2023 THEME: “Our Passion, Our Purpose” – Embracing Unity and Recognition.
GET INVOLVED: Your involvement in Respiratory Care Week raises awareness in respiratory health and inspires your fellow respiratory therapists; thank you! To help you plan your Respiratory Care Week celebrations, the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) has what you need to get started and to keep you on track.
RC Week is your chance to celebrate the profession and let your community know how vital you are to patient health. Respiratory therapists have entered the spotlight for their efforts in saving lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. We could not have made it through without your lifesaving work and dedication to patient care. Now is the time to celebrate YOU!
A Message from RespiratoryEdu to Our Friends During Respiratory Care Week
Respiratory Care Week celebrates those individuals who provide care to some of the most difficult management cases in health care. From the intricacies of ventilator dependence to those COPD patients who often mistreat their caregivers because of their own frustration with their disease, Respiratory Care Practitioners deal with the entire spectrum of disease states.
I have been a respiratory therapist for over 60 years, having been involved in university-based academic medicine, rural health care, home care, electronic remote education and yes, even accreditation. But my circumstance is not unique, as members of our industry well know. We are adaptable to the many care environments presented to us. Yet we remain patient-centric – always concentrating on the patient’s well-being in attempting to achieve positive outcomes.
It is with great humility and gratitude that I celebrate Respiratory Care Week with the thousands of practitioners providing care.
Bob Floro
Managing Partner
respiratoryedu.org
