The National Association for Public Education in Respiratory Therapy: an interview with N.A.R.T. Chairman David Walch.(Interview)

What is N.A.R.T.?

N.A.R.T. is the National Association for Public Education in Respiratory Therapy, a 5OI (c) (3) not-for-profit (pending) organization incorporated in the state of Illinois.

What are the goals of N.A.R.T.?

N.A.R.T.'s principal goal is to educate the lay public about the profession of Respiratory Therapy in terms of its positive effects on health care, its manpower needs and the opportunities the profession presents to people considering a career in medicine. It is felt that these educational endeavors will, as one of its end results, present meaningful career opportunities to people, while simultaneously strengthening and helping keep viable, the profession of Respiratory Care in the United States and abroad. Neither N.A.R.T. nor any of its board members, have any political functions, nor is N.A.R.T. or any of its board members official spokespersons for the profession of respiratory care.

Why was N.A.R.T. created?

It is felt by many that the profession of Respiratory Care suffers in a number of ways from a lack of exposure, and an overall lack of consciousness amongst too high a percentage of the lay public in the United States. While most people have at least a basic, general idea of what, for instance, a nurse, pharmacist, or a radiologic technologist does in the course of their duties, most have no idea of the duties, role and contributions respiratory therapists make every hour of every day in numerous settings across America. In addition, a serious situation exists whereby thousands of …