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The First Inhalation Therapy Program
Edwin R. Levine, MD, establishes the first inhalation therapy program at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago. -
Forming the ITA
1946: Dr. Levine’s students and other interested doctors, nurses, and oxygen orderlies meet at the University of Chicago Hospital to form the Inhalation Therapy Association (ITA). 1947: The ITA is formally chartered as a not-for-profit entity in the state of Illinois. The new Association boasts 59 members. -
Manual of Oxygen Therapy Techniques
Albert Andrews, MD, outlines the structure and purpose of a hospital-based inhalation therapy department in his book, Manual of Oxygen Therapy Techniques. -
Setting the Stage for Formal Education
The New York Academy of Medicine publishes a report, “Standard of Effective Administration of Inhalation Therapy,” setting the stage for formal education for people in the field. -
ITA becomes AAIT
The ITA is renamed the American Association of Inhalation Therapists (AAIT). -
First Annual AAIT Meeting
The AAIT holds its first annual meeting at the Hotel St. Clair in Chicago. -
Inhalation Therapy: A Science Journal
The AAIT begins publishing a science journal, Inhalation Therapy (now RESPIRATORY CARE). -
American Registry of Inhalation Therapists (ARIT)
The American Registry of Inhalation Therapists (ARIT) is formed to oversee a new examination leading to a formal credential for people in the field. -
First Registry Exam
The ARIT administers the first Registry exams in Minneapolis. -
The Board is Formed
The Board of Schools of Inhalation Therapy Technicians is formed in Chicago. -
Technician Certificate Program
The AAIT launches the Technician Certification Program to offer a credential to people working in the field who do not qualify to take the Registry exams. -
Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Therapy Education
The Board of Schools of Inhalation Therapy Technicians becomes the Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Therapy Education (JRCRTE) -
AAIT becomes AART
The AAIT becomes the American Association for Respiratory Therapy (AART) -
NBRT and ARTF
The profession’s two credentialing programs merge into the National Board for Respiratory Therapy (NBRT); the AAIT forms the American Respiratory Therapy Foundation (ARTF) to support research, education, and charitable activities in the profession. -
National Respiratory Care Week
President Ronald Reagan proclaims the first National Respiratory Care Week. -
California: The First State
California passes the first modern licensure law governing the profession of respiratory care. -
AART becomes AARC
The AART becomes the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) -
NBRT becomes NBRC
The NBRT becomes the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). -
ARTF becomes ARCF
The ARTF becomes the American Respiratory Care Foundation (ARCF) -
JRCRTE evolves into CoARC
The JRCRTE evolves into the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) -
Lung Health Day
The AARC launches Lung Health Day to promote better lung health to consumers. The Day takes place every year on the Wednesday during National Respiratory Care Week. -
The Last Contiguous State to Pass Credentialing Law
Vermont becomes the 48th state to pass a licensure or other legal credentialing law governing the profession of respiratory care, effectively bringing legal credentialing to all 48 contiguous states -
50th Anniversary of AARC
The AARC celebrates its 50th Anniversary at the International Respiratory Congress in New Orleans, LA.
