An Open Letter from Over 400 Respiratory Care Practitioners and Respiratory Therapists to Hospital Administrators Across California

An Open Letter from Over 400 Respiratory Care Practitioners and Respiratory Therapists to Hospital Administrators Across California

April 15, 2020

As respiratory care practitioners and respiratory therapists, we are on the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19. Because of the nature of our work, we are brought into especially close proximity to COVID-19 patients. In these situations, our personal protective equipment (PPE) is the only thing that stands between us and infection.

But many of us are not being issued crucial PPE — including N95 masks, face shields, eye protection, nitrile gloves, and isolation gowns — during procedures such as intubation that normally require such equipment because of the high infection risk. Some of us have even faced the outrageous experience of being refused N95 masks and other PPE even as the doctors and nurses working right beside us in the very same room are wearing them. This inequality is demeaning. It is also dangerous to ourselves, our families, the other patients we care for, and the public at large.

We expect to be protected and respected in our work. To that end, we call on all hospitals throughout the state to:

  • Provide respiratory care practitioners and respiratory therapists the same PPE that doctors and nurses have for any given procedure. Such PPE includes N95 masks, face shields, eye protection, nitrile gloves, powered air purifying respirators (PAPR), and isolation gowns.
  • Respect our input. We are right beside the patients who are suffering the most from COVID-19 — and we have valuable, sometimes even life-saving guidance to share.

We call on you to quickly implement and enforce these measures at your hospitals. By working together, we can ensure all our health and safety.

Take Action Now

Let’s all take action for the equipment we need to lead our state through this crisis:

Let Congress and the Trump administration know that we demand PPE!

Sincerely,

More Than 400 Respiratory Care Practitioners and Respiratory Therapists Across California:
Nicholas Hayworth, Alameda Hospital
Tracie Reames, Alameda Hospital
Mark Zaragoza, Anaheim Global Medical Center
Micheal Thomasson, Bakersfield Memorial Hospital
Booker Taylor, California Hospital Medical Center
Edith Gonzalez, California Hospital Medical Center
Godofredo Razon Jr, California Hospital Medical Center
Russel Sion, California Hospital Medical Center
Salina Koy, California Hospital Medical Center
Nelson Miller, Centinela Hospital Medical Center
Esveidy Arellano, Chapman Global Medical Center
Frank De Asis, Chapman Global Medical Center
Josephine Soliman, Chapman Global Medical Center
Veronica Gonzalez, Chapman Global Medical Center
Demi Felix, City of Hope
Alka Sharma, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Andrew Ugarte, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Armstead Windham, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Brach Price, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Brian Shelton, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Cheryl Solorio, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Constance Finley, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Darla Mondragon, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Debbie Altman, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Domenico Bentivegna, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Donna Talabis, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Ember J Alinsug, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Emma Shelton, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Gina Brown, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Jennifer Gerrie, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
John Quan, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
John Smith, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Justin Knowles, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Karen Thomas, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Khusboo Patel, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Kim Smith, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Liliana Owen, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Louise Arensberg, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Marc Lacson, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Marlyn Espino, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Melissa Abello, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Michael Kingston, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Natalie Garcia, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Ravinder Dhillon, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Richard Drenning, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Rolan Maghirang, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Stephanie Lumley, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Veronica Carlos, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
Irene Guevara, CPMC Mission Bernal/St Luke’s Hospital
Jon Baltero, CPMC Mission Bernal/St Luke’s Hospital
Linda Feist, CPMC Mission Bernal/St Luke’s Hospital
Paul Lopez, CPMC Mission Bernal/St Luke’s Hospital
Vue Hao Ngoy, CPMC Mission Bernal/St Luke’s Hospital
Gisella Thomas, Desert Regional Medical Center
Jessica Woodburn, Desert Regional Medical Center
Adam Kelley, Dominican Hospital Santa Cruz
Amir Beetajian, Dominican Hospital Santa Cruz
Clark Phillips, Dominican Hospital Santa Cruz
Erik Strong, Dominican Hospital Santa Cruz
Phuong Holland, Dominican Hospital Santa Cruz
Dennis Marshall, El Camino Hospital
Curtis Bender, Emanuel Medical Center
Rachel Cross, French Hospital Medical Center
Tiffany Ortiz, French Hospital Medical Center
Denise Bermejo, Garden Grove Hospital & Medical Center
Grace Licup, Garden Grove Hospital & Medical Center
Hong Tran, Garden Grove Hospital & Medical Center
Lois Masumoto, Garden Grove Hospital & Medical Center
Michael Latham, Garden Grove Hospital & Medical Center
Nancy Vo, Garden Grove Hospital & Medical Center
Phillip Tolentino, Good Samaritan Hospital-Los Angeles
Mary Ellen Rzodkiewicz, Hemet Valley Medical Center
Dale Baquiran, Hollywood Presbyterian Med Ctr
June Miranda, Hollywood Presbyterian Med Ctr
Brian Nguyen, Kaiser-Antioch
Bryan Lockett, Kaiser-Antioch
Denise Mendoza, Kaiser-Antioch
Donna Hardy, Kaiser-Antioch
Erica Chinchilla, Kaiser-Antioch
Marshall Clark, Kaiser-Antioch
Renee Ritchie, Kaiser-Antioch
Ruby Robley, Kaiser-Antioch
Sharon Lewis, Kaiser-Antioch
Silvia Balbach, Kaiser-Antioch
Vince Martinez, Kaiser-Antioch
China Tran, Kaiser-Baldwin Park
Christian Cruz, Kaiser-Baldwin Park
Christiana Luna, Kaiser-Baldwin Park
Georgina Moreno, Kaiser-Baldwin Park
Jackie De Haro, Kaiser-Baldwin Park
Lei Lee, Kaiser-Baldwin Park
Magda Martin-Lomeli, Kaiser-Baldwin Park
Paul Gaa, Kaiser-Baldwin Park
Selina Yeh, Kaiser-Baldwin Park
Veralyn Benitez, Kaiser-Baldwin Park
Veronica Tsang, Kaiser-Baldwin Park
Viviane Chiu, Kaiser-Baldwin Park
Mark DeLaTorre, Kaiser-Downey Clinic
Joseph Mejia, Kaiser-Downey Clinic
Charlotte Thurman, Kaiser-Downey Hospital
Dennis Pineda Ruiz, Kaiser-Downey Hospital
Emilio Letona, Kaiser-Downey Hospital
Geoffrey Hughes Jr, Kaiser-Downey Hospital
Janet Delrosario, Kaiser-Downey Hospital
Kris Bradley, Kaiser-Downey Hospital
Laura Galvez, Kaiser-Downey Hospital
Maria T Dean, Kaiser-Downey Hospital
Angela Coleman, Kaiser-Fremont
David Ngo, Kaiser-Fremont
Ivy Gonzalez, Kaiser-Fremont
Jennifer Mone, Kaiser-Fremont
Melissa Coker, Kaiser-Fremont
Quyen Nguyen, Kaiser-Fremont
Shelsea Shofner, Kaiser-Fremont
Sunita Murti, Kaiser-Fremont
Vanessa Howard, Kaiser-Fremont
Catherine Brannigan, Kaiser-French Campus
Allison Rawitch, Kaiser-Fresno
Gina Martinez, Kaiser-Fresno
Kanwaljit Kaur, Kaiser-Fresno
Marielle Del Mundo, Kaiser-Fresno
Michelle Guelce, Kaiser-Fresno
Monica Pedraza, Kaiser-Fresno
Patrick Santiago, Kaiser-Fresno
Taryn Ruiz, Kaiser-LAMC Clinics
Guy Hamrick, Kaiser-LAMC Hospital
Michael Floros, Kaiser-LAMC Hospital
Jimmie Morris, Kaiser-Manteca
Sandrine Reffell, Kaiser-Manteca
Dalisay Banaria, Kaiser-Martinez
Jerry Golez, Kaiser-Martinez
Lynn Cahatol, Kaiser-Martinez
Nezam Mardanzai, Kaiser-Martinez
Crystal Mata, Kaiser-Modesto
Glenda Cachero, Kaiser-Modesto
Lizette Patterson, Kaiser-Moreno Valley
Ashleigh Francis, Kaiser-Oakland
Cenna Torres, Kaiser-Oakland
Derek Prine, Kaiser-Oakland
Dolores Paz, Kaiser-Oakland
Hajar Williams, Kaiser-Oakland
Mustafa Masody, Kaiser-Oakland
Phillip Rodriguez, Kaiser-Oakland
Stoney Jones, Kaiser-Oakland
Susan Smith, Kaiser-Oakland
Adrian Ruiz, Kaiser-Orange County North
Adrian Ollero, Kaiser-Orange County North
Christy Hartman, Kaiser-Orange County North
Maria Rodriguez, Kaiser-Orange County North
Marie Tran, Kaiser-Orange County North
Molly Munoz, Kaiser-Orange County North
Tam Nguyen, Kaiser-Orange County North
Thi Nguyen, Kaiser-Orange County North
Thomas Dumaup, Kaiser-Orange County North
Jose Caluag, Kaiser-Orange County South
Josephine Merket, Kaiser-Orange County South
Neil Grecia, Kaiser-Orange County South
Rizalina Reyes, Kaiser-Orange County South
Rosemarie Rae, Kaiser-Orange County South
Von Panganiban, Kaiser-Orange County South
David Zuniga, Kaiser-Panorama City
Michael Maus, Kaiser-Panorama City
Dharitri Pattanaik, Kaiser-Redwood City
Erin Hartzell, Kaiser-Redwood City
Kimmylou Lam, Kaiser-Redwood City
Mcwayne Enad, Kaiser-Redwood City
Editha Crisostomo, Kaiser-Rosevile Hospital
Genie Buksh, Kaiser-Rosevile Hospital
Pamela Reeder, Kaiser-Roseville Clinics
Carol Leon, Kaiser-Roseville Hospital
Elizabeth Grigsby, Kaiser-Roseville Hospital
Erin Hickam, Kaiser-Roseville Hospital
Maleponi Smith, Kaiser-Roseville Hospital
Melissa Pryde, Kaiser-Roseville Hospital
Monica Arbizo, Kaiser-Roseville Hospital
Ruby Favila-Reyes, Kaiser-Roseville Hospital
Victor Ibarra, Kaiser-Roseville Hospital
Albert Regadio, Kaiser-Sacramento
Bobby Hinkley, Kaiser-Sacramento
Coby Theodosis, Kaiser-Sacramento
Lanette Novella, Kaiser-Sacramento
Ljiljana Andrich, Kaiser-Sacramento
Mimi Fermer, Kaiser-Sacramento
Parneet Singh, Kaiser-Sacramento
Ronald Patterson, Kaiser-Sacramento
Sibichen George, Kaiser-Sacramento
Alan Pineda, Kaiser-San Francisco
Amy Ng, Kaiser-San Francisco
Karlo Viray, Kaiser-San Francisco
Ruby Durr Griffith, Kaiser-San Francisco
Sherri Olson, Kaiser-San Francisco
Tracy Ford, Kaiser-San Francisco
Amy Snyder, Kaiser-San Jose
Cory Oogjen, Kaiser-San Jose
Nashih Gilazgi, Kaiser-San Jose
Salvador Sevilla, Kaiser-San Jose
Swapna Chimote, Kaiser-San Jose
Theresa Forbes, Kaiser-San Jose
Elisa Lai, Kaiser-San Leandro
Phillipa Sibanda, Kaiser-San Leandro
Jawana Swanson, Kaiser-San Rafael
Ghassan Bechara, Kaiser-Santa Clara Hospital
Jason Villavert, Kaiser-Santa Clara Hospital
Mohamed Albedaewy, Kaiser-Santa Clara Hospital
Monica Centoni, Kaiser-Santa Rosa
Ravjot Lally, Kaiser-Santa Rosa
Sabrina Mikolon, Kaiser-Santa Rosa
Shelley Radtke, Kaiser-Santa Rosa
Stephanie Pahwa, Kaiser-Santa Rosa
Stephanie Valverde, Kaiser-Santa Rosa
Abdulwaalee Sultan, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Adrienne Woodfork-Carrasco, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Alice White, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Alicia Blevins, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Allan Reeser, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Angela Cason, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Beth Burriss, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Caroline Monceaux, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Chris Moses, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Christina Phan, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Christine Chua, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Claudia Vallery, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Connie Davila, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Daniel Castro, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Dina Lewis, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Ezekell Powell, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Gregory Campbell, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Heather Gregoire, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Janet Preston, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Jill Nekrassoff, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Joseph Tien, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Karen Scriven, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Kevin Gosiengfiao, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Kitzia Criado, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Kristine Fagan, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Marie Stovall, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Mark Quimbo, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Matthew Walker, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Matthew Pugmire, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Minh LE, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Reet Gupta, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Sandra Joseph, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Shaleeni Singh, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Shani Vang-mouayang, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Steven Rodriguez, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Thanhthuy Nguyen, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Tiffany Butler, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Vanessa Nanca, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Alexis Cisneros-Hurtado, Kaiser-So.Sacramento
Debbie Vaz, Kaiser-So.San Francisco
Eugene Taguinod, Kaiser-So.San Francisco
Kimberly Whitlow, Kaiser-So.San Francisco
Maria Escandor, Kaiser-So.San Francisco
Rhistian Garcia, Kaiser-So.San Francisco
Rowena Santos, Kaiser-So.San Francisco
Sofia Jurado Rogers, Kaiser-So.San Francisco
Olga Pimentel, Kaiser-South Bay
Scott Rogers, Kaiser-South Bay
Sydney Seiffert, Kaiser-South Bay
Joleen Hansen, Kaiser-Vacaville
Liza Staton, Kaiser-Vacaville
Melissa Barton, Kaiser-Vacaville
Samantha Torres-ramondo, Kaiser-Vacaville
Ana Dorsett, Kaiser-Vallejo
Miguel Saavedra, Kaiser-Vallejo
Porter Rennix, Kaiser-Vallejo
Sophia Bekele, Kaiser-Vallejo
Tiffany Myers, Kaiser-Vallejo
Consuella Thorpe, Kaiser-Walnut Creek
Consuella Thorpe, Kaiser-Walnut Creek
Helen Jackson, Kaiser-Walnut Creek
Karen Noble, Kaiser-Walnut Creek
Karen Gordon, Kaiser-Walnut Creek
Kymbrlye Feldman, Kaiser-Walnut Creek
Timothy Rice, Kaiser-Walnut Creek
Guang Yang, Kaiser-West Los Angeles
Kathleen Jonte, Kaiser-West Los Angeles
Ben Maguerrero, Kaiser-Woodland Hills
Cecille Abeleda, Kaiser-Woodland Hills
Hernan Sanchez, Kaiser-Woodland Hills
Iwona Wysocka, Kaiser-Woodland Hills
Jennifer Millman, Kaiser-Woodland Hills
Keisha Cox, Kaiser-Woodland Hills
Kimberly Samuel, Kaiser-Woodland Hills
Maribelle Rimando, Kaiser-Woodland Hills
Nancy Gamez, Kaiser-Woodland Hills
Nicholas Black, Kaiser-Woodland Hills
Robert Weber, Kaiser-Woodland Hills
Tara Bangthamai, Kaiser-Woodland Hills
Veronika Bakal, Kaiser-Woodland Hills
Loree Angel, Kentfield Rehabilitation & Specialty Hospital
Curtis Harris, Kindred Hospital Ontario
Lauren Grenier, Kindred Hospital Ontario
Leilani Amores, Kindred Hospital Ontario
Lerma Elises, Kindred Hospital Ontario
Tommie Washington, Kindred Hospital Ontario
Veola Graham, Kindred Hospital Ontario
David Hoagland, Kindred Hospital South Bay
Nelson Puzon, Kindred Hospital South Bay-Tri-Cities
Crystal White, Lakewood Regional Medical Center
Hani Ghattas, Los Alamitos Medical Center
Joe Babauta, Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center
luis guillen, Marina Del Rey Hospital
Magdalena Brewis, Marina Del Rey Hospital
Yvonne Cannell, Marina Del Rey Hospital
Mario Romano, Mercy General Hospital
Michael Farley, Mercy General Hospital
Mark Killmer, Mercy Hospitals of Bakersfield
Tom Phelan, Mercy Hospitals of Bakersfield
Andrea Tuma, Mercy Medical Center Redding
Edward Nickerson, Mercy Medical Center Redding
Miranda Devai, Mercy Medical Center Redding
Anna Krasniy, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
Cassandra Sosebee, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
Daniele Butler, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
David Clark, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
Gabriella Rose, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
Harminder Hayer, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
Heidi Hanson, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
Ioana Hiticas, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
Jessica Wiggins, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
Juanita Cheng, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
Judy Sanders, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
Karen Hill, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
Krista Larson, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
Lisa Waters, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
Megan Blevins, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
Melyssa Dam, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
Michelle Hersevoort, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
Mladen Jokic, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
Nicholas Griffiths, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
Nicholas Wallace, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
Sabra Faravelli, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
Saheen Ali, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
Sarah Kelleghan, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
Soura Edwards, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
Tammy Zalutskiy, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
Anne Arroyo, Methodist Hospital of Sacramento
Alice Sahagun, Northridge Hospital Medical Center-Roscoe
Christine Loya, Northridge Hospital Medical Center-Roscoe
Ebrahim Pahlavan, Northridge Hospital Medical Center-Roscoe
Gladdy Sunga, Northridge Hospital Medical Center-Roscoe
Ilyne Maglalang, Northridge Hospital Medical Center-Roscoe
Kristie Stone, Northridge Hospital Medical Center-Roscoe
Laney Duarte, Northridge Hospital Medical Center-Roscoe
Sandra Solorzano, Northridge Hospital Medical Center-Roscoe
Shirley Carpio, Northridge Hospital Medical Center-Roscoe
Brian Galaviz, Providence St Johns Health Center
Linda Phongsvej, Providence St Johns Health Center
Patinee Meesri, Providence St Johns Health Center
Iman Khalil, Saint Francis Memorial Hospital
Cathy Paredes, Sierra Vista Regional Med Center
Eric Rodgers, Sierra Vista Regional Med Center
Erik Zamora, Sierra Vista Regional Med Center
Noah Aisner, Sierra Vista Regional Med Center
Heidi Mehrmand, South Coast Global Medical Center
Minerva Salazar, South Coast Global Medical Center
Mychelle Ramey, South Coast Global Medical Center
Arturo Espinoza, Southern California Hospital at Culver City
Jai Narain, Southern California Hospital at Culver City
Roy Lainez, Southern California Hospital at Culver City
Yoko Tanaka, Southern California Hospital at Culver City
Ashley Mccall, St Bernardine Medical Center
Cherise Lindia, St Bernardine Medical Center
Danielle Medley, St Bernardine Medical Center
Eddie Trinidad, St Bernardine Medical Center
Lauren Temelo, St Bernardine Medical Center
Mark Santini, St Bernardine Medical Center
Melissa Lee, St Bernardine Medical Center
Patricia Soriano, St Bernardine Medical Center
Rebecca Avila, St Bernardine Medical Center
Rebecca Dominguez, St Bernardine Medical Center
Renee Long, St Bernardine Medical Center
Ruben Garcia, St Bernardine Medical Center
Ruth Larriba, St Bernardine Medical Center
Shuree Trammel, St Bernardine Medical Center
Wendy Sappington, St Bernardine Medical Center
Emily Garcia, St Elizabeth Community Hospital
Armando Almanza, St Francis Medical Center
Christina Gerard, St Francis Medical Center
Donald Bolt, St Francis Medical Center
Edward Vicente, St Francis Medical Center
Emmanuel Reyes, St Francis Medical Center
Gonzalo Chavez, St Francis Medical Center
Ismael Millan, St Francis Medical Center
James Macasaet, St Francis Medical Center
Leticia Arroyo, St Francis Medical Center
Luis Baez, St Francis Medical Center
Melissa Francisco, St Francis Medical Center
Nalin Kapoor, St Francis Medical Center
Nyangoma Owachgiu, St Francis Medical Center
Rayleen Gentry, St Francis Medical Center
Claudia Powell, St Joseph’s Medical Center
Fernando Lopez, St Vincent Medical Center
Noemi Shouppe, Sutter Lakeside Hospital
Karen Schuber, Sutter Lakeside Hospital
Alex Singh, Sutter Roseville Medical Center
Tanya Ogorodnik, Sutter Roseville Medical Center
Tiffany Pratt, Sutter Roseville Medical Center
Gina Mangrubang, Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital
Kathleen August, Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital
Catherine Werle, Sutter Solano Medical Center
Joshua Munoz, Sutter Solano Medical Center
Kimberly Dacoron, Sutter Solano Medical Center
Stacy Sauls, Tri-City Medical Center
Gurjot Sidhu, Vibra Hospital of Sacramento
James Copaciu, Vibra Hospital of Sacramento
Kristina Palmer, Vibra Hospital of Sacramento
Michelle Nielson, Vibra Hospital of Sacramento
Jernetta Backus, Washington Hospital