Orange County board honors respiratory therapists, cites expanded UCI network

The Board of Supervisors on Oct. 22 recognized Respiratory Care Week and honored respiratory‑care professionals from UCI Health and across Orange County.

"Respiratory Care Week is celebrated...it's a time to celebrate the dedication and crucial work of our respiratory care professionals," said Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, who invited UCI staff and thanked them for pandemic and ongoing care work. Vice Chair Doug Chaffee said respiratory therapists care for a wide range of patients and cited national disease prevalence statistics to underscore the scope of demand.

A UCI Health representative thanked the board and said the system has expanded services across hospitals and community sites, and reported workforce and workload figures. "We have 300 practicing respiratory care practitioners across our UCI network right now," the speaker said, and described pillars of care including education, safety and patient experience.

Supervisors used the recognition to call for continued support for respiratory programs countywide and to highlight the role of therapists in acute and outpatient settings. The board presented a formal recognition and invited staff to accept plaques and photographs.