Kristine Lisa Wirta, RRT

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Get to know Registered Respiratory Therapist Dr. Kristine Lisa Wirta, who serves the population of Washington. Kristine graduated with an Associate of Applied Science Crafton Hills College. Additionally, she holds certification as a Registered Respiratory Therapist since 1983, giving her over three decades of experience her field. She has previously practiced with San Bernardino County Medical Center, Loma Linda Medical Center, Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, and the Portland Providence Hyperbaric Department. She currently practices with Morton General Hospital where she holds an expertise in Trauma and Critical Care Respiratory. Kristine attributes her professional success to the inspiration to help others and to her brother Kirt, who passed away at the age of 18 after going through a bone marrow transplant. A respiratory therapist is a specialized healthcare practitioner trained in pulmonary medicine in order to work therapeutically with people suffering from pulmonary disease. Respiratory therapists are specialists and educators in many areas including cardiology, pulmonology, and sleep therapy. Respiratory therapists are clinicians trained in advanced airway management; establishing and maintaining the airway during management of trauma, and intensive care. Respiratory therapists initiate and manage life support for people in intensive care units and emergency departments, stabilizing, treating and managing pre-hospital and hospital-to-hospital patient transport by air or ground ambulance.

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