Jimmy A. Young Dedicated To Inspiring Future RTs

Jimmy A. Young, MS, RRT, dedicated his career to advancing respiratory care, leaving a lasting impact on the profession. Starting as Chief Inhalation Therapist at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in 1960, he later helped establish the Respiratory Therapy Department at Massachusetts General Hospital and served as an associate professor at Harvard Medical School.

Alongside Dr. Dean Crocker, Young co-authored Principles and Practices of Inhalation Therapy, one of the first respiratory therapy textbooks, helping educate generations of RTs. Throughout his career, Young remained dedicated to his patients and the advancement of the respiratory care field. He served on the Board of Directors of the American Association for Inhalation Therapy, later renamed the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC). His leadership and vision helped to pave the way for generations of future respiratory therapists. 

Though his life was tragically cut short in 1975, his legacy lives on through the Jimmy A. Young Medal, AARC’s highest honor, which is awarded to those making significant contributions to respiratory care.

During Black History Month, we celebrate Jimmy A. Young’s dedication, innovation, and profound influence on the respiratory therapy profession. His story is a powerful reminder of the impact Black respiratory therapists have made in healthcare and beyond.