Chicago City Wire

Andrew Klein, MS, RRT, has been honored as the 2024 Illinois Society for Respiratory Care (ISRC) Practitioner of the Year. Klein is an adult clinical education coordinator and assistant professor at the College of Health Sciences.

The ISRC aims to foster educational programs in respiratory care while advancing the profession's science, technology, ethics, and art. Klein’s work in patient care and respiratory therapy has made a significant impact on his colleagues, patients, and students.

“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 University has developed a leading respiratory care team with staff recognized nationally as educators and researchers. The CHS Respiratory Care program provides training across various cases from newborns to older adults and offers 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," said Klein.

Klein's leadership in education has earned him several awards including being named a Fellow of both the American Association for Respiratory Care and the American College of Chest Physicians; he is also a 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,” he added.

Klein highlighted Rush University's role in his career growth: “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 had no direction on how best to utilize my skills. I came to Rush and found everything I needed: education, mentorship, and a special group of people who would become family.”

For further information about Rush University's respiratory care program visit: rushu.rush.edu/respiratorycare.