OGDENSBURG -- Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center is recognizing Oct. 25-31 as "Respiratory Care Week (RCW) to acknowledge their respiratory therapists.

They care for patients with breathing difficulties due to chronic conditions like asthma.

This year, more than ever, the healthcare system has relied upon respiratory therapists as frontline workers in the battle against COVID-19.

Their role and care they provide require them to work alongside critically ill patients, often performing life-sustaining procedures at the patient’s head—the most infectious place to provide patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

They have also continued to provide essential care to other patients across the healthcare system who have not been afflicted by COVID-19.

"RCW’s are highly trained health professionals dedicated to providing the best possible cardiorespiratory care by staying at the forefront of all available research and technology. Claxton-Hepburn’s respiratory therapy team consists of Jennifer Walker, Jodi Bresett, Jeff Hampson, Tanya Cook, Jasmin Brien, Melissa Aker, and Terry Padden. We thank them for their hard work and dedication to outstanding patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep all of us North Country strong," CHMC said.