AARC Names Zenith Award Recipients
In December, five respiratory companies received the Zenith Award during the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) 49th International Respiratory Congress in Las Vegas.

The winning companies were:

• Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc. Based in Ridgefield, Conn, Boehringer Ingelheim makes pharmaceuticals for pulmonology, cardiology, rheumatology, neurology, and urology.

• DHD Healthcare Corp. This Wampsville, NY-based company provides products for incentive spirometry, secretion clearance, aerosol therapy, and ventilator support.

• Nellcor Puritan Bennett. Headquartered in Pleasanton, Calif, this 14-time Zenith award winner develops and manufactures ventilators, pulse oximeters, airway management products, spirometers, and oxygen and sleep therapy products.

• Respironics Inc. Based in Murrysville, Pa, Respironics provides products and programs to manage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, infant care, heart failure, and restrictive lung disorders. This is the company’s eighth Zenith Award.

• Sepracor Inc. This company develops and produces pharmaceuticals for the treatment of respiratory, urologic, and central nervous system disorders. Sepracor’s headquarters are in Marlborough, Mass.

AARC members choose recipients based on the companies’ quality of equipment and/or supplies; accessibility and helpfulness of sales personnel; responsiveness and service record; truth in advertising; and overall support of the respiratory care profession, says 2004 AARC President Janet Boehm, MS, RRT.