AARC member since 1966
President
Durable Medical Supply
Destrehan, LA
AARC Activities:
Member, Program Committee, 1989-1990. Member, Healthcare Promotion Committee, 1992. Member, Political Advocacy Contact Team, 1999-Present
House of Delegates Activities:
Delegate, Mississippi Society for Respiratory Care 1971-1973. Delegate, Louisiana Society for Respiratory Care, 2000-Present. Chairman, Resolutions Committee, Present. Member, Bylaws Committee, Present. Member, Resolutions Committee, 2002-2007. Member, Special Recognition Committee, 2002-2006
Affiliate Activities:
Mississippi Society for Respiratory Care, 1971-1986. President, 1974 and 1979. Member, Board of Directors, 1975-1980. Chairman, Education and Membership Committees, 1971. Chairman, PSRO Committee, 1977-1980. Member, Licensure
Committee, 1976-1986 Louisiana Society for Respiratory Care. President, 1999. Member, Board of Directors, 1994-1996. Chairman, Bylaws Committee, 1997. Co-Chairman, PACT Committee, 1999-Present
Related Organizations:
Associate Examiner, National Board for Respiratory Care, 1972-1978. TriState Respiratory Care Conference,Co-Founder,1971. Member, Board of Directors, 1971-1987, 1995-2005. Consulting Manager, 2005-Present. Member, Louisiana Thoracic Society, 1992-2007. Member Latin America Cardio-Pulmonary Congress, 1992-2000.
Education:
RRT, Mississippi Baptist Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 1965 BA, Ottawa University, Ottawa, KS, 1978 MS, Buxton University, London, UK, 2004
Publications:
"Respiratory Therapy Equipment" fifth edition Mosby Publishing, Editorial Board and contributor, 1995. "Foundations for Respiratory Care" first edition Delmar Publishing, contributor, 2002.
What steps will you take to strengthen international exposure of respiratory care?
The AARC International Committee is our resource to bring International Fellows to the United States to observe. Follow-up with the Fellows is step one. Even the Fellows from past years must be kept in the loop. Some represent countries with developed respiratory care services. They need our continuing support. Special attention should be given to those without developed respiratory care services. We need to identify individuals to serve as contact persons, one on one, with them. There are no "Respiratory Therapists" which means we need to select physicians and/or critical care nurses and then train them to be instructors with our guidance; their background requires shorter training periods. We provide symposia for physicians to verify the need for this specialty and our support soliciting approval and funding from government authorities for funding. Program graduates become instructors with our continuing support.
How would you suggest we recruit and educate the leaders of the future for the AARC?
Recruiting and educating the leaders of the future for the AARC begins at the Society level. Communicate to the membership, active and student, that there is no mystique in becoming an elected officer for the State Society or the Chapters of that Society. Inform them about how to become involved and the responsibilities of each office. Mentor them when they become involved and keep them motivated. As they become more involved and familiar with the organization, encourage them to run for the Executive Offices. Next, focus on their advancement toward Specialty Sections leadership and/or the House of Delegates. At this point, current leaders need to network with these potential leaders encouraging them to accept leadership roles and mentoring them for success as AARC leaders.
With the introduction of the Medicare Respiratory Therapy Initiative Bill in Congress, how are you going to work to get that bill successfully passed?
I will continue visiting my Congressional Delegation and/or their staff in Washington annually soliciting their support of our Bills, continue visiting their district offices and attending Town Hall Meetings within their districts; encouraging others to do the same. Actively encourage use of the Capitol Connections by respiratory therapist and their families, friends and patients to contact their Congressman/woman soliciting support for our Bills. Maintain the 435 Plan and coordinate the plan activation when needed. Be available to speak at professional and civic meetings to promote support for the Respiratory Therapist Initiative. I will continue to work getting the message to all respiratory therapists making sure they understand why the Respiratory Therapist Initiative addresses only baccalaureate level RRTs presently. We must present a unified front with a show of support for the bills in Congress.
