Every breath you take

Breathe deeply. That’s easier said than done for some people. I help people with breathing conditions and limitations. GRMC has six full-time respiratory therapists, like me, to assist the physician in your care. You may be wondering what a respiratory therapist is or what it is that we do.

A respiratory therapist treats people with disorders affecting the cardiopulmonary system such as asthma, emphysema, pneumonia, cardiovascular disorders, and trauma.

Respiratory therapists earn an accredited two- or four-year degree, pass a national exam, and are licensed by the state they practice in. The program has both classroom and clinical experience so that when the practitioner comes out to work they, have already had hands-on experience in patient care.

Respiratory therapists can be found in many other areas such as home health care, long-term acute care hospitals, physician offices as well as in research positions. The role of the respiratory therapist has and continues to expand to meet the various needs of the cardiopulmonary patient.

Here at GRMC the respiratory therapists provide care and life support to patients in the emergency room, intensive care unit, pre/post operation, obstetrics unit, as well as the medical/surgical floors. We also offer inpatient and outpatient pulmonary function testing, outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation, and sleep studies.

Every breath matters, and we are here to help.

Written by Lori Dvorak, RRT, MBA
GRMC respiratory therapist