Her Story
About Valerie
Valerie Obenchain is the Founder and CEO of Advanced Interactive Response Systems (AIRS), a Michigan-based company dedicated to advancing oxygen therapy and remote patient monitoring. A registered respiratory therapist with more than 20 years of experience, Valerie founded AIRS in 2013 after witnessing the challenges her grandmother faced with COPD and supplemental oxygen. Her firsthand experience caring for oxygen-dependent patients revealed significant gaps in monitoring and oxygen delivery, inspiring her to develop technology designed to improve patient safety, support caregivers, and help reduce avoidable hospitalizations.
Under Valerie’s leadership, AIRS has developed innovative digital health systems that continuously monitor oxygen flow and pulse oximetry while transmitting information such as alarm status and flow or concentration data through multiple communication channels. The company’s Oxygen Flow Monitor is designed to provide clinicians and caregivers with real-time visibility into oxygen therapy, helping identify issues such as disconnections, leaks, kinks, depleted supplies, and improper oxygen delivery. Valerie has guided AIRS through product development, intellectual property and patent efforts, clinical partnerships, and regulatory and commercialization initiatives, with the broader goal of bringing telemedicine capabilities to supplemental oxygen therapy.
Valerie combines clinical expertise with business and entrepreneurial knowledge, holding an Associate’s degree in Applied Sciences from Ferris State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Cornerstone University. She remains engaged in the respiratory care and life sciences communities through professional organizations and innovation programs, including Women in Bio and initiatives supporting medical technology development. Valerie is also a longtime American Heart Association CPR instructor and contributes to STEM and career education through Junior Achievement. Through AIRS, she continues to champion practical healthcare innovation that improves the quality of life for people living with COPD and other conditions requiring supplemental oxygen.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Valerie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to innovation, problem-solving, and the guidance of strong mentors. One of my proudest achievements was launching an FDA-cleared product and introducing new innovations to our Class 1 solution. Mentors such as Ray Stanford, an expert in molecular sieves for oxygen concentrators, have been instrumental in helping me develop new designs and solutions that address a range of challenges.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the medical product industry is to understand the three key areas of bringing a product to market: protect your intellectual property through patents, navigate the regulatory process carefully, and develop a clear reimbursement strategy to understand who will pay for the product.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value mentorship, collaboration, service, and giving back. Throughout my career, I have benefited from strong professional relationships and organizations in respiratory care, including the Michigan Society for Respiratory Care, the National Board for Respiratory Care, and the American Association for Respiratory Care. I am committed to sharing my knowledge through mentoring, CPR instruction, STEM education, and community involvement, while helping advance respiratory care through innovations such as remote patient monitoring.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.