March 27, 2008

AARC PACT Scores Big on Capitol Hill
AARC members who gathered in Washington, DC, for the Association’s annual march up Capitol Hill came home feeling they had made a significant impact on their members of Congress. Nearly 300 visits were made to Congressional offices, and Political Advocacy Contact Team members were able to garner new support for the pulmonary rehab bills and educate legislators about the Medicare Respiratory Therapy Initiative.

AARC Opposes Joint Commission Revisions
AARC issued a letter to the Joint Commission opposing a revision that would require respiratory therapy to fall under the coordination of a nurse executive. The letter and rationale are available for reading online.

Another Joint Commission Survey Seeks Input
Another Joint Commission revision is in the area of Medication Management Standards, and the AARC urges members to participate in the online survey to ensure the respiratory therapist’s voice is heard by April 1.

Nelson Joins AARC for IT and Foundation Management
Steven Nelson, MS, RRT, FAARC, will be directing the information technology services at the AARC and also overseeing the ARCF and NLHEP. His background in IT management and respiratory care will bring a unique perspective to the Association as those services develop for future member growth.

CoARC Appoints New Executive Director 
Thomas R. Smalling, PhD, RRT, RPFT, RPSGT, FAARC, is taking over the top position at the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). As executive director, he’ll oversee the accreditation of respiratory care programs nationwide. Smalling come to the position from Stony Brook University in New York.

New Tool Helps Potential Students Choose RT Program
Do you know someone who is considering a career in respiratory care? The AARC’s Be an RT web site now has a new tool they can use to find the right educational program for them. Developed by members of the Education Section, the online tool allows potential students to fill out a questionnaire template and then e-mail it to program directors of their choice.

  Comments or questions? Send them to info@aarc.org.