The American Association for Respiratory Care has bestowed the designation of Fellow of the American Association for Respiratory Care, or FAARC, on 20 leading respiratory therapists from around the country.

This includes Dave Crotwell, a registered respiratory therapist and neonatal pediatric specialist in Kirkland.

AARC members who earn this designation have excelled in some aspect of the respiratory care profession, from clinical care to education to management to research, and more.

The new FAARCs received their awards at the recent AARC International Respiratory Congress held in Tampa, Fla.

Respiratory therapists are specialized health care providers who work closely with physicians to take care of people with lung conditions ranging from asthma to COPD.

They work throughout the acute care hospital on the general floors, in the emergency department, and in the intensive care units, and are also employed in sleep centers, physician offices, outpatient clinics, pulmonary rehabilitation programs, skilled nursing facilities, and in patients’ homes.

For more information, visit www.AARC.org.