Respiratory Care Department Earns Apex Award

By Ben Boulden

With its Apex Awards, the association seeks to honor institutions for their commitment to excellence in professional development, evidence-based care, patient safety, patient satisfaction and quality improvement.

“We are one of only eleven programs in the country recognized, and one of only eight programs to receive the prestigious honor multiple times,” Tom Jones said. “Program faculty and the entire CHP team works hard to maintain or exceed the AARC and UAMS high standards of excellence. It is gratifying that the association believes we have succeeded in doing that.”

The AARC Apex Recognition Award Program was developed in 2017 as a way for the AARC Board of Directors to recognize respiratory care programs that exhibit high quality curriculum and program standards.

“Whether in the classroom with students or at the bedside with patients, respiratory care teams dedicate themselves to delivering excellent care,” AARC President Carl Hinkson, MSc, RRT, said. “Earning the Apex Award is a tremendous honor. It shows how these teams reach ambitious standards, proving to be stellar examples of the respiratory therapy profession. Congratulations to our 2023-2024 Apex Award recipients.”

The Apex Award includes five categories for recognition: acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, home medical equipment companies, educational programs, and dedicated transport teams.