AARC member since 1981
Neonatal PFT Specialist
Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital
Cleveland, OH
AARC Activities:
Member, Board of Directors, 2005-2007. Member, CPG Committee, 2007-present. Chair, Neonatal-Pediatric Section, 2005-2007. Neonatal-Pediatric Specialty Practitioner of the Year, 1998 Member, Neo-Peds, Diagnostics and Management sections.
Affiliate Activities:
Oregon Society for Respiratory Care, Bylaws Committee, 1984-1987
Education:
B.A., Hiram College, 1973 RRT, Lakeland Community College, 1981 Neonatal-Pediatric Specialist, 1994
What steps will you take to strengthen international exposure of respiratory care?
Strengthening the international exposure of respiratory care speaks to the globalization of our profession. The AARC is well positioned to increase its global presence. The International Fellows Program of the American Respiratory Care Foundation (ARCF) brings non-U.S. health care professionals to the United States. Fellows are exposed to our profession, science and patient care. Our profession goes home with these Fellows. This program can be enhanced by cultivating a large, diverse pool of Fellow candidates and ensuring hosts have sufficient resources to provide the Fellows with the best possible exposure to our science and profession. The International Council for Respiratory Care's (ICRC) is dedicated to advancing safe and effective respiratory care worldwide. The ICRC works to develop evidence based respiratory care that meets the unique needs of individual nations. We need to publicize and support these programs and facilitate international web based education, communication and recognition. As a profession, we need to be proactive to meet the needs of today and tomorrow.
How would you suggest we recruit and educate the leaders of the future for the AARC?
Recruiting and educating future AARC leadership starts in the classroom. The AARC's high school program provides a glimpse into our profession that is often overlooked by high school guidance counselors. Current leadership must convey the AARC's value to all RTs, most importantly those just entering school and the profession. Engage new RTs early through mentoring, involving them in every aspect of our profession from the beginning. Help them see that professional "ownership" is as beneficial to them as it is for our patients. Establish vested interest early and continue to provide value. Free student membership, discounted/bulk memberships for departments, web based education and more. Web based education, already available (see Webcast Central), should expand to provide online education in management, research and education. It should be possible to partner with institutions of higher learning to work toward advanced degrees through the AARC. At the very least, CRCE should be available for advanced web course work. Early and continued active involvement by the AARC is mutually beneficial. Careers and science are advanced. Leadership for tomorrow is identified and nurtured. Patients, individuals and the profession all benefit.
With the introduction of the Medicare Respiratory Therapy Initiative Bill in Congress, how are you going to work to get that bill successfully passed?
Successful passage of any legislative effort depends on elected officials knowing their constituents want a bill passed. Most important with health care legislation is hearing from patients affected by the bill. Every therapist should be contacting their senator and representative. The AARC facilitates this by providing fax, phone and email templates for communication on the website. Links are also provided to identify your representative and senator. Every contact is VERY important. Our patients, the group that benefits most from this legislation, should be encouraged to contact their elected officials to voice support for this Bill. Activating the "435 plan" will generate therapist and patient response. Department managers and educational faculty can help promote awareness of the Bill and facilitate interested individuals making contact. Ultimately it is the individual who must assume responsibility and act. In Washington, numbers count. The more Washington hears from us and our patients, the more likely Washington will react favorably to this legislation.
