Andrew Klein, MS, RRT, adult clinical education coordinator and assistant professor, College of Health Sciences, was recently named the 2024 Illinois Society for Respiratory Care (ISRC) Practitioner of the Year.
The ISRC was formed to encourage, develop, and provide educational programs for those interested in respiratory care. The organization’s goals include advancing the science, technology, ethics, and art of the profession.
Klein’s dedication to improving patient care and advancing the respiratory therapy field has significantly impacted his colleagues, patients, and students by preparing them to provide excellent care.
“This award is a great honor for me, but more than that, it is validation that the work and sacrifice over the years has truly meant something,” said Klein.
Rush has built a leading respiratory care team and educational program with staff who are nationally recognized as preceptors, educators, researchers and published authors. The CHS Respiratory Care program teaches students to apply scientific principles in both acute and chronic respiratory cases across the lifespan, from newborns to older adults. It is one of a handful of programs in the nation to provide a Master of Science degree in respiratory care.
"Achieving the career success that led to this recognition is entirely related to mentorship, education, motivation, and the people who provided those to me. I want to be that person for my students and other respiratory therapists—the educator and mentor that so many people cared enough to be for me."
Klein’s leadership, expertise and commitment to education have earned him numerous awards and honors, including being named a Fellow of the American Association for Respiratory Care and the American College of Chest Physicians; and Distinguished CHEST Educator.
“I can honestly say that, for me, achieving the career success that led to this recognition is entirely related to mentorship, education, motivation, and the people who provided those to me. I want to be that person for my students and other respiratory therapists—the educator and mentor that so many people cared enough to be for me. I want to leave the profession better than I found it, and I hope to use this recognition as a platform to reach more people and have a bigger impact.”
Klein emphasized the impact Rush University had on his career development.
“I made the most difficult decision of my life in 2013. I decided to leave the place I grew up and my job of 10 years to move to Chicago because I wanted to know if I could do something more with my career,” explained Klein. “I knew I had the capability and the desire, but I had no direction on how to best utilize my skills. I came to Rush and found everything I needed: education, mentorship and a special group of people who would become family.”
To learn more about the respiratory care program visit: rushu.rush.edu/respiratorycare.