Robert L. Chatburn

Robert L. Chatburn, MHHS, RRT-NPS, FAARC is the enterprise program manager for research in respiratory care at Cleveland Clinic, as well as professor of Medicine, Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. Previously, he served as technical director of respiratory care at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital/University Hospitals for 20 years. Rob holds an AS degree from Cuyahoga Community College, and BS and MHHS degrees from Youngstown State University.

Professor Chatburn has authored six textbooks, 56 textbook chapters, and over 400 articles and abstracts in peer-reviewed medical journals. He serves on the Editorial Board of Respiratory Care Journal and is recognized internationally as a research scientist and authority on mechanical ventilation. Rob teaches classes in mechanical ventilation for Youngstown State University at the bachelor’s and master’s level programs. He was also on the team that designed the original Neonatal-Pediatric Specialty exam for the National Board for Respiratory Care.

Rob was among the first 13 people awarded a fellowship in the American Association for Respiratory Care in 1998 and was the recipient of the 2007 Forrest M. Bird Lifetime Scientific Achievement Award. In 2017 he received the Jimmy A. Young medal for meritorious contributions to the American Association for Respiratory Care and to the advancement of the profession (this is the AARC’s highest award). In 2021, Rob was inducted as a Legend of Respiratory Care in the AARC ‘s Virtual Museum.

Rob is divorced with two adult daughters, Maya and Kendra. He lives with two Zen masters (who happen to be cats) and has a black belt in Kung Fu, a brown belt in Aikido and is a part time survival instructor.