AARC member since 1987
Vice President, Respiratory Group
Invacare Corporation
North Ridgeville, OH
AARC Activities:
AARC Board of Directors 2001-2004 AARC Home Care Section Chair 1999-2004 AARC Representative to JCAHO PTAC 2004 to present
Related Organizations:
American College of Chest Physicians, Home Care Network Steering Committee 2002-2008 American Association for Homecare, Chair HME/RT Council 2007-present
Education:
BSBA, Myers University, Cleveland, OH AS, University of the State of New York, Albany, NY
Publications:
Respiratory Clinics of North America, chapter on Homecare. Pediatric Asthma. W.B. Saunders: Philadelphia, PA. March 2000
What steps will you take to strengthen international exposure of respiratory care?
As the global vice president of respiratory for an international respiratory products manufacturer, I can serve as an ambassador of the AARC and respiratory therapists as I work with health care providers around the world. Building recognition of the AARC internationally starts at the most basic level, the establishment of professional and trusted relationships.
How would you suggest we recruit and educate the leaders of the future for the AARC?
I believe that strong leadership and active mentoring are essential in developing future leaders. We need to identify and recruit those passionate young professionals within the organization and guide them down the leadership path. It is essential for our future that we find the next Rob Chatburn, Rich Branson, Sam Giordano, Tom Kallstrom, etc. and pull them into the ranks to work along side the current leadership. Active mentoring with a transition plan to pass the torch must be part of our long-term planning.
With the introduction of the Medicare Respiratory Therapy Initiative Bill in Congress, how are you going to work to get that bill successfully passed?
The introduction of the bill is only the first step. Hundreds of bills are introduced into Congress each year and few make it into law. The real work is now, as we recruit passionate co-sponsors. It is also critical that we get the support of other key industry stakeholder groups, including the physician and other professional organizations. As an active member working regularly in DC and with other organizations, I will lobby for the support and passing of our bill.
