Member Champion, Ayesha Siddiqa Turns Personal Adversity into RT Calling

Ayesha Siddiqa, BSRT, began her journey into respiratory care not in a classroom, but from a hospital bed. During her school years in Pakistan, Ayesha suffered a prolonged, three-year illness caused by septic arthritis that spread to her right leg. The condition required a three-month hospital stay, multiple surgical debridements, and a long road to recovery.

“It was a very difficult time in my life — it took so long to finally find out what was wrong and be completely cured. During that hospital stay, I was exposed to the healthcare system, and I realized that not only doctors and nurses are part of healthcare, but allied health professionals are integral too. In the ICU, alongside the doctors, they are the compassionate, skilled professionals present during the most critical moments of a patient’s life. That prolonged illness experience left a deep impression on me as a patient and made me want to do something involving direct patient care — an empathy that continues to shape the way I care for my patients today and to give back to the community so no one else would have to suffer the way I did.”

When she thought about going to school for healthcare, she was driven by her passion for critical care and ICU environments and chose respiratory therapy.

Career Trajectory and Advocacy in Action

Ayesha began her formal career in late 2017 after completing her associate degree and clinical training in Pakistan, later earning a bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy from Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Pakistan. Over nine and a half years at Pakistan’s largest JCI-accredited tertiary care institution, she advanced from Junior RT to RT Supervisor and ultimately served as Lead of Respiratory Therapy Services across the organization. She also led home-care respiratory therapy services for chronic patients requiring respiratory care at home.

During her tenure, she developed and expanded the hospital’s Respiratory Therapy Services into a robust team of 50 RTs, creating standard protocols and policies that served as a benchmark for other healthcare institutions nationwide. She also served as a clinical instructor for respiratory therapy students, training hundreds of students on their journey to becoming respiratory therapists and pioneering the region’s first RT internship program. She expanded the profession’s scope, not only within her organization but across the region, by conducting several national-level conferences that emphasized the role of RTs in healthcare. One of her proudest achievements was launching a comprehensive Tracheostomy Safety Project, a first-of-its-kind initiative that established standardized care pathways from initial tracheostomy placement to decannulation and post-discharge home care.

Expanding Horizons: Pediatric and Neonatal Care in Qatar

Two years ago, Ayesha expanded her clinical and cultural horizons by relocating to Qatar to work at a specialized tertiary hospital for women and children. Today, her primary focus is on neonates and pediatric critical care. “I find deep fulfillment in caring for newborns in the NICU, while maintaining a strong appreciation for the adult clinical communication I had earlier in my career,” she said.

She has established the first RT-specific Well-Being Committee at her hospital to support the unique mental health and workplace needs of respiratory care staff. “Well-being isn’t a luxury in critical care — it’s what sustains us. The more grounded we are, the more compassion we can offer our patients. Creating space to support one another is how we keep our teams strong and our care safe.”

Ayesha was recently honored as one of the “40 Under 40” winners at the FLUXX Asia Conference 2026 in the Health & Wellness category, as a Respiratory Therapy Leader and Wellbeing Advocate, recognizing her exceptional dedication, clinical expertise, and leadership as a female international healthcare professional in Qatar.

She was also the first RT from Pakistan to present her research at the ERS Congress 2025 in Amsterdam.

Overcoming Industry Challenges

Throughout her career across developing and international healthcare landscapes, Ayesha has remained a staunch advocate for professional recognition. “One of the biggest ongoing challenges is ensuring proper representation and recognition for RTs as integral members of the multidisciplinary team. Recognition remains a work in progress until allied health professionals have a strong voice at leadership tables to drive organizational change.”

The Impact of AARC Community and Resources

Ayesha joined the AARC early in her studies to access high-quality educational materials, standard guidelines, and global peer networks. “From implementing advanced diagnostics to seeking feedback on staff well-being programs via AARC member forums, I’ve relied on AARC as a cornerstone for my growth and global connection.”

Words of Wisdom for the Next Generation

Ayesha emphasizes continuous growth as being a critical skill for future RTs: “Technology and clinical practices evolve constantly. If you have a curious mind and a passion for healthcare, this field will keep you engaged every day. Respiratory therapy isn’t limited to clinical execution; it can open so many doors to leadership, research, and organizational management. I am deeply grateful for the mentors, leaders, and colleagues throughout my career who have shaped my growth, and for my family’s strong support, which has been the foundation of every step I have taken. My respiratory care journey has taught me that healing is not only what we do for our patients, but also what we owe to ourselves and to each other.”