Respiratory Therapists: Heroes on the Front Line

Felix Khusid, RRT
President of the New York Downstate Association for Respiratory Therapists and Administrative Director for a Respiratory Therapy Department in New York

More than 100,000 respiratory therapists work in the United States caring for patients who have trouble breathing. These important frontline critical care workers, have been playing a pivotal role in managing mechanical ventilation for critically ill COVID-19 patients. 

We spoke with Felix Khusid, RRT, a respiratory therapist working in New York, about his experiences with COVID-19:

“At times my team and I worked 24 hours straight, standing on our feet the entire time and we were not alone in doing this. All hospital employees worked tirelessly. In the emergency room, there would be numerous intubated individuals at the same time. The intensive care units were full. My team of heroic and devoted respiratory therapists had to carry ventilators to bedsides where they participated in intubations, placed patients on life-support systems, monitored and managed the care of patients while putting themselves at risk.

It felt like a war that was wearing down the staff. In my nearly 33 years of being a respiratory therapist, I could never have imagined 1/10th of anything like this. It was heartbreaking as so many people were affected and critically sick in NYC and Long Island. Most patients, if admitted into the hospital, did not have the ability to have any of their loved ones at their bedside. At times my colleagues and I held their hand, offered comforting words.

I know of numerous health care workers in NY who have died of COVID-19. In the last several weeks, many respiratory therapists, nurses, physicians, radiology, and laboratory personnel lost their lives due to COVID-19. These heroes paid with their lives to provide for others. I myself had symptoms of fever and a cough, but tested negative, so went home to my wife and child, who were later diagnosed with COVID-19. Thankfully, they are okay. 

Mostly what I want people to know is, I saw what healthcare workers are made of. I witnessed people stepping up – going above and beyond the call of duty. Working as close collaborators in amazing ways, heroic ways. We became one big family.”

Share Felix’s story and encourage respiratory therapists that you know to participate in the HERO Registry. All healthcare workers are heroes and we need every voice included in the HERO Registry community.

For more information or to share your story, please contact:          

Renee Leverty, BSN, MA
Program Lead, Duke Clinical Research Institute Stakeholder Engagement