Respiratory Care Week, celebrated Oct. 19–25, is our chance to recognize the skilled professionals who keep us breathing easier — from respiratory therapists and nurses to physicians and sleep specialists. Their work supports not just lung health, but overall well-being for patients across the Hereford community and beyond.
According to the American Lung Association, about 45 percent of Americans live in areas with unhealthy air quality. Combine that with the increasing prevalence of flu, RSV, asthma, COPD, and sleep-related breathing disorders like sleep apnea, and the importance of reliable, local respiratory care becomes even more urgent.
“At HRMC, we believe that rural communities deserve access to the same high-level respiratory care you’d find in any large city,” said Candice R. Smith, MSN, RHCNOC, CCRN, RACR, CEO of Deaf Smith County Hospital District. “We’re proud of our respiratory therapy team, who work every day to help our patients manage chronic conditions, recover from illness, and breathe easier.”
For more than 40 years, Respiratory Care Week has spotlighted the essential role of respiratory therapy in treating everything from chronic lung disease to post-COVID recovery. In 2023, chronic lower respiratory diseases remained the 5th leading cause of death in the U.S., underscoring the need for continued attention and access to lung health services.
At Hereford Regional Medical Center, our respiratory care experts offer:
- Inpatient and outpatient respiratory therapy
- COPD and asthma care
- Pulmonary rehab
- Sleep apnea testing and treatment in partnership with our sleep study team
- Lung function screenings and diagnostic testing
Want to check up on your lungs?
Schedule a respiratory check-up at Hereford Health Clinic by calling 806-364-7512. Whether you’re managing a chronic illness or just want peace of mind, our team is here to help.
Take control of your breathing. Take care of your health.
