History of
Home Respiratory Therapy
From "oxygen orderlies" in the 1940s to modern PAP therapy, home ventilation, and the fight for clinical recognition — a century of evolution in the home care setting.
Based on Lewarski (2023) · Augmented with CMS, AARC, ATS, NIH, and peer-reviewed sources
Select any milestone on the left
to explore its history in detail.
Chrysalis Ashton, MSRC, RRT, is a respiratory therapist with 13 years of experience and a dedicated advocate for the post-acute care profession. After beginning her career in acute care, she found her passion for home care and DME, where she has served in several roles, including Clinical Director and Compliance Officer. Chrysalis actively advances the respiratory profession by coordinating partnerships with RT education programs, mentoring future clinicians, and volunteering as an AARC Delegate and home care chair-elect for her state respiratory society. She is a graduate of the AARC's inaugural Emerging Leaders Program (2024). Chrysalis regularly volunteers with several advocacy organizations, such as the COPD Foundation, where she is a State Captain, and AAHomecare, where she participates in several committees and work groups.
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