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Edwin R. Levine, MD, establishes the first inhalation therapy program at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago. -
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. -
Albert Andrews, MD, outlines the structure and purpose of a hospital-based inhalation therapy department in his book, Manual of Oxygen Therapy Techniques. -
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. -
The ITA is renamed the American Association of Inhalation Therapists (AAIT). -
The AAIT holds its first annual meeting at the Hotel St. Clair in Chicago. -
The AAIT begins publishing a science journal, Inhalation Therapy (now RESPIRATORY CARE). -
The American Registry of Inhalation Therapists (ARIT) is formed to oversee a new examination leading to a formal credential for people in the field. -
The ARIT administers the first Registry exams in Minneapolis. -
The Board of Schools of Inhalation Therapy Technicians is formed in Chicago. -
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.
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The Board of Schools of Inhalation Therapy Technicians becomes the Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Therapy Education (JRCRTE)
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The AAIT becomes the American Association for Respiratory Therapy (AART) -
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. -
President Ronald Reagan proclaims the first National Respiratory Care Week. -
California passes the first modern licensure law governing the profession of respiratory care.
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The AART becomes the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) -
The NBRT becomes the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). -
The ARTF becomes the American Respiratory Care Foundation (ARCF) -
The JRCRTE evolves into the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) -
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. -
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 -
The AARC celebrates its 50th Anniversary at the International Respiratory Congress in New Orleans, LA.
