AARC Champion, Jie Li: Advancing Evidence-Based Respiratory Care

From bedside care during SARS to internationally recognized COVID-19 research, Jie Li, PhD, RRT, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, FAARC, FCCM, discusses mentorship, evidence-based care, and the future of respiratory therapy. Dr. Li is an internationally recognized researcher, professor, and respiratory therapist at Rush University in Chicago. Her work in critical care research, education, and mentorship has contributed to evidence-based respiratory care and helped shape the future of the profession.

What inspired you to pursue a career in respiratory care, and how has your passion evolved over the years?

My interest in respiratory care began from both personal experience and historical events. My grandfather passed away from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) before I entered university, which motivated me to pursue a career related to pulmonary medicine. Later, during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in China in 2003, I witnessed firsthand how critically ill patients struggled because of limited respiratory support resources and a shortage of trained respiratory therapists. At that time, respiratory therapy was still a very new profession in mainland China.

That experience shaped my career path. Initially, my passion was centered on helping individual patients survive acute respiratory failure and critical illness. Over time, my perspective expanded beyond bedside care into research, education, and leadership. I realized that improving patient outcomes requires not only excellent clinical care but also strong evidence, mentorship, and system-level improvements.

Today, what motivates me most is the opportunity to contribute to the long-term advancement of the profession—through clinical research, mentoring younger therapists, and helping respiratory therapists become leaders in evidence-based critical care.

You’re one of China’s first respiratory therapists. What does that distinction mean to you? 

It is both an honor and a responsibility. When I entered respiratory therapy training in China, the profession was still in its infancy. There were very few formal educational programs, and many clinicians were unfamiliar with the role of respiratory therapists in critical care.

Being among the first generation meant that we were not only learning the profession—we were also helping define it. We had to demonstrate the value of respiratory therapists in intensive care units, advocate for professional recognition, and help establish standards for education and clinical practice in China.

Looking back, I feel fortunate to have witnessed and contributed to the growth of respiratory care in China and to have helped build connections between respiratory care communities in China and the United States.

Do you think your background of growing up in a different country helped shape your work here? What role does diversity play in supporting the profession and enabling greater respiratory health outcomes? 

Absolutely. Growing up in China and later training and working in both China and the United States exposed me to very different healthcare systems, educational structures, and clinical cultures. That experience taught me adaptability and helped me appreciate multiple perspectives when approaching patient care, education, or research.

Diversity strengthens healthcare because respiratory diseases affect patients across cultures, languages, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Diverse teams often communicate differently, challenge assumptions, and approach problems more creatively. In research, international collaboration became especially critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the most impactful projects I participated in involved investigators from multiple countries working toward a common goal.

On a personal level, my background also helps me connect with trainees and colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds, especially those adjusting to a new country or healthcare system. I understand many of the challenges they face, and I believe mentorship becomes much stronger when people feel understood, supported, and encouraged to grow.

What are some of the biggest challenges currently facing respiratory therapists in critical care settings, and how can the profession address them?

One major challenge is the increasing complexity of critically ill patients. Respiratory therapists today manage advanced technologies, including advanced ventilator modes, high-flow nasal cannula, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), aerosol delivery systems, and complex airway management strategies. At the same time, healthcare systems continue to face staffing shortages and burnout.

Another challenge is ensuring that respiratory therapists are fully integrated into evidence-based decision-making and multidisciplinary leadership. RTs are often deeply involved in patient management, but their expertise is sometimes underutilized.

To address these challenges, we need continued investment in education, research training, and professional development. We also need to encourage respiratory therapists to pursue advanced degrees, participate in clinical research, publish their findings, and take leadership roles within healthcare systems and professional organizations.

The future of respiratory care depends not only on technical competence, but also on critical thinking, adaptability, communication, and scientific literacy.

What skills or competencies do you believe are most important for the next generation of respiratory therapists to develop?

Technical skills remain essential, but they are no longer enough on their own. Future respiratory therapists must develop strong critical thinking skills and become comfortable interpreting evidence and applying it to patient care.

Adaptability is also extremely important. Respiratory care evolves rapidly. During COVID-19, many clinicians had to adjust quickly to unfamiliar situations and rapidly changing evidence. Therapists who could learn continuously and remain flexible adapted best.

I also believe research literacy is increasingly important. Not every therapist needs to become a principal investigator, but every therapist should understand how to critically evaluate evidence and recognize the strengths and limitations of clinical studies.

Finally, communication and collaboration are vital. Respiratory therapists work closely with physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other professionals. Strong teamwork and communication directly impact patient outcomes.

You’ve contributed extensively to peer-reviewed literature. What advice would you give to respiratory therapists who are interested in getting involved in research or publishing?

Start small and stay curious. Many therapists think research is only for large academic centers or senior investigators, but meaningful research often begins with a simple clinical question from bedside practice.

The first step is to find a mentor and join existing projects. Research is much easier when you learn within a collaborative environment. I also encourage therapists to focus on developing foundational skills, understanding study design, statistics, scientific writing, and critical appraisal.

Another important point is persistence. Research can be frustrating. Manuscripts get rejected, studies encounter obstacles, and projects often take longer than expected. But consistency matters more than speed.

Most importantly, therapists should not underestimate the value of their clinical observations. Respiratory therapists spend an enormous amount of time at the bedside and often recognize practical clinical problems before anyone else. Those observations can become impactful research questions.

What motivates you to pursue research? What does it mean that some of your research has gained considerable traction in the industry? 

My motivation comes from wanting to improve patient care through evidence. In respiratory care, many clinical practices historically developed from experience or tradition rather than strong scientific evidence. I became interested in helping strengthen that evidence base.

COVID-19 reinforced this motivation. During the pandemic, clinicians around the world urgently needed reliable evidence to guide treatment decisions. Being able to contribute to international studies on awake prone positioning and aerosol transmission risk was deeply meaningful because the findings influenced real-world clinical practice and guidelines.

It has been rewarding to see some of our work incorporated into treatment guidelines and cited internationally, but the most meaningful aspect is knowing that the research potentially improved patient outcomes and helped clinicians make safer, more informed decisions.

Research also creates opportunities for mentorship and international collaboration, which I value tremendously.

Can you share any memorable or rewarding experiences from your interactions with patients that have left a lasting impression on you?

One of the most rewarding aspects of respiratory work is that we often care for patients during the most vulnerable moments of their lives. I still remember many patients from my early ICU experiences who struggled with severe respiratory failure and eventually recovered enough to speak with their families again or walk out of the hospital.

During COVID-19, some experiences were especially emotional because many patients were isolated from loved ones. Respiratory therapists often become not only clinicians but also sources of reassurance and human connection.

Those moments remind me that behind every ventilator setting, oxygen device, or research protocol is a real person and family. That perspective keeps the work meaningful.

How do you stay updated on the latest advancements and developments in respiratory care, and how has continuous learning played a role in your professional growth?

Continuous learning has been essential throughout my career. I regularly read journals on respiratory care, critical care, pulmonary medicine, and aerosol science. I also attend national and international conferences because they provide opportunities to learn from experts and exchange ideas with colleagues.

Research itself is another powerful learning process. Conducting studies forces you to critically evaluate literature, understand methodology, and stay aware of emerging evidence.

I also learn a great deal from students, residents, fellows, and collaborators. Mentorship is never one-directional. Academic discussions with trainees and colleagues often challenge my thinking and help me continue growing professionally.

You’ve received numerous honors, including recognition from AARC. What accomplishments are you most proud of, and why?

I have been deeply honored to receive recognition from organizations such as AARC. Among those honors, the one that has been most meaningful to me is the Forrest M. Bird Lifetime Scientific Achievement Award. To me, it represents not only recognition of my work, but also recognition of the growing contributions of respiratory therapists to research and critical care medicine.

That said, I view awards more as reflections of collective effort than individual achievement. I am most proud of the work that directly improved patient care and advanced the profession. International studies on awake prone positioning during COVID-19 are among the most meaningful because they addressed urgent clinical questions during a global crisis and influenced international treatment guidelines.

I am also very proud of mentoring students and junior investigators. Watching trainees grow into independent clinicians, educators, and researchers is incredibly rewarding because it represents the future of our profession.

Beyond any individual recognition, what matters most to me is helping elevate the role of respiratory therapists as clinician-scientists, educators, and leaders within critical care medicine. Contributing to the long-term advancement of the profession is ultimately more meaningful than any single award.

Looking ahead, what trends or emerging areas in respiratory care research do you believe will shape the future of the profession? How can RTs stay current? 

I believe several areas will significantly shape the future of respiratory care. First, precision respiratory support will continue to grow. We are moving toward more individualized approaches to oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, and noninvasive respiratory support rather than “one-size-fits-all” protocols.

Second, artificial intelligence and advanced physiologic monitoring will likely become increasingly integrated into respiratory care. These technologies may help clinicians optimize ventilator settings, predict deterioration earlier, and personalize treatment strategies.

Third, respiratory therapists will continue to expand their roles in research, quality improvement, and multidisciplinary critical care leadership. I believe the profession will increasingly emphasize advanced education, scientific training, and evidence-based practice.

To stay current, RTs should remain engaged in lifelong learning through journals, conferences, professional societies, mentorship, and collaboration. The profession evolves rapidly, and maintaining curiosity is essential for long-term growth.