AARC Activities:
- AARC Neonatal Pediatric SPOTY Award winner 2021
- AARC Clinical Preceptor 2017-Present
- AARC APEX recognized institution 2017-present
- AARC Management Leadership Institute Scholarship recipient March 2021
- Respiratory Care Journal Reviewer July 2021-Present
- AARC Education Advisory Counsil 2024
- Specialty section member of Neonatal Pediatrics (2012-present), Education (2016-present), Leadership and Management (2019-present)
Affiliate Activities:
- Illinois Society for Respiratory Care (ISRC)
- ISRC President (2023-2025)
- ISRC Board of Directors 2020-present (5 years)
- ISRC Past-President 2025-2026
- ISRC President-Elect May 2022-May 2023
- ISRC Ch 2 Chair 2020-2021
- ISRC Ch 2 rep 2019-2020
- ISRC Program Committee Co-chair (2020-2025), ISRC nominations committee (2024-2026)
- ISRC 2022 President’s Award Winner
Related Organizations:
- Respiratory Health Association
- Associates Board Member April 2021-Present
- Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
- Respiratory Care Board member April 2025-Present
Education and Credentials:
- MSc, RRT, RRT-NPS
- Master of Science (MSc) in Respiratory Care, Rush University 2012
Publications:
- Clinical Pocket Guide: Transcutaneous CO2 Monitoring for Neonates. Rush University Medical Center, Department of Cardiopulmonary Sciences, Division of Respiratory Care.
Geistkemper, A. M., Lauderbaugh, D. L. P., Donnelly, A., Erkinger, J., Proffitt, B., & Mayar, S. (Eds.). January 2024
- Academic Output of Fellows of the American Association for Respiratory Care
Andrew Miller, Anne Geistkemper, Awni Al-Subu
Respiratory Care October 2023, 68 (Suppl 10) 3946784
- RT education and COVID-19 pneumonia discharge quality
Ramandeep Kaur, Anne Geistkemper, Riten Mitra, Ellen A. Becker
Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy September 2023, 59
- A Quality Improvement Project to Reduce Unplanned Extubations in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Caprio, Adelaide B.; Niewinski, Krystle N.; Murphy, Sara; Geistkemper, Anne; Seske, Laura M.
Advances in Neonatal Care December 2024, 24(6):500-509
- Jet Ventilation Algorithm Decreases Variations in Practice
Sara Murphy, Anne Geistkemper and Andrew Berenz
Respiratory Care October 2021, 66 (Suppl 10) 3609639
- Sustained Reduction of Nasal Pressure Injuries in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with the Use of Bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure: A Quality Improvement Project
Lawrence, Christie; Mohr, Lynn D.; Geistkemper, Anne; Murphy, Sara; Fleming, Kellianne
Journal of Wound Ostomy & Continence Nursing in Vol. 48, No. 2, March/April 2021
- Benefits of BCPAP Guidelines and the Reduction of BPD in the NICU
Sara Murphy and Anne Geistkemper
Respiratory Care October 2019, 64 (Suppl 10) 3229360
- Eliminating Device Related Hospital Acquired Pressure Injuries in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Through Quality Improvement Methods
Christie Lawrence, Sara Murphy, Kellianne Fleming, Anne Geistkemper, Jean Silvestri and Laura Hernandez
Respiratory Care October 2018, 63 (Suppl 10) 3024435
- Reducing Unplanned Extubations in the NICU through PDSA cycles and Quality Improvement Methods
Sara J. Murphy MBA, RRT-NPS, Kellianne Fleming MS, RRT-NPS, Anne Geistkemper MS, RRT-NPS, Christie N. Lawrence DNP, RNC-NIC, APN/CNS, Jean M. Silvestri, MD, Patoula G. Panagos, MD
Respiratory Care October 2018, 63 (Suppl 10) 3016047
- Five Things to Improve Your Comfort This Allergy Season
Anne Geistkemper, MS-RC, RRT
April 2014 – AARC’s Your Lung Health Article
Elections Committee Questions:
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the AARC, and what do you recommend to address it?
One of the most significant challenges facing the AARC is the enrollment and retention of new members. To address this, we must identify effective strategies to engage respiratory therapists who are not yet connected with their state affiliates or the AARC. Once we make those connections, it’s essential that we clearly communicate the value and benefits of membership—both at the state and national levels.
As an organization, we need to consistently highlight the positive impact membership has had on others. Sharing these success stories throughout the year will help build trust and inspire involvement. We should also recognize and celebrate our members more frequently—not just for major accomplishments, but for the everyday contributions they make to the profession. When people see others like themselves being acknowledged, it creates a sense of belonging and a desire to be part of something meaningful.
We must also shine a light on the exciting opportunities AARC offers and encourage our experienced members to help open doors for newcomers. We should remain humble and recognize that opportunities to engage members can come from many directions. Partnering with supportive organizations like the NBRC and CoARC, and showcasing our members’ active roles in groups such as CHEST, ATS, SCCM, and PAS, will demonstrate the broader influence of respiratory care. Our profession does not exist in isolation—it plays a vital role across the healthcare spectrum.
Healthcare is changing more rapidly than ever. What ideas do you have to help today’s respiratory therapist meet these challenges?
Healthcare is evolving quickly, and respiratory therapists (RTs) are on the front lines of this transformation—especially given their critical role during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. To stay ahead and help shape the future of care, RTs must adapt through clinical innovation, ongoing education, technology adoption, and expanded scopes of practice. But the key is to start small and stay engaged.
One of the most effective ways to begin is by getting involved with your local AARC State Affiliate. Active participation allows RTs to stay informed about the latest changes and trends in the profession, access continuing education and leadership development opportunities, collaborate with peers to address local and national healthcare challenges, and participate in advocacy efforts for licensure recognition, Medicare reimbursement, and scope of practice expansion. By becoming an active member, RTs can move from simply reacting to change to leading it. The future of respiratory care depends on professionals who are not only clinically skilled but also engaged, informed, and connected.
Your role as Director-at Large is to represent the general AARC membership. If given the opportunity to represent, what will be your goals in advocating for the everyday respiratory care professional?
If given the opportunity to serve as Director-at-Large for the AARC, my focus would be on elevating the voice, value, and visibility of everyday respiratory care professionals—those delivering care at the bedside and in the community. My goals would center around three key priorities- advocating for professional recognition and advancement, strengthening communication and member engagement, and promoting clinical excellence and evidence-based practice.
To achieve this, I would collaborate closely with state leaders, initiate conversations with key stakeholders, and work to amplify the stories of respiratory therapists through the AARC platform. These stories matter—they highlight the vital work RTs do every day and serve as inspiration for others to step forward, get involved, and lead.
Opening doors for others is essential—not just so they can see what’s possible, but so they feel welcomed and supported in taking part. One of the most powerful ways we can do this is by leveraging mentors and sponsors, both formally and informally.
I know this from personal experience. I didn’t believe I had what it took to be recognized or involved in the AARC until a colleague chose to sponsor me. They saw my passion, understood my experience, and—most importantly—spoke my name in rooms I wasn’t in. That act of sponsorship changed my path. As leaders, we all have the opportunity—and responsibility—to do the same for someone else. By sponsoring our frontline professionals, we help them feel seen and valued, while encouraging the growth of future leaders in our profession.
At my core, I believe in servant leadership. That means putting others first, listening with intention, and using my position to lift others up. If elected, I will serve with humility, integrity, and a commitment to representing and supporting the respiratory therapists who are the foundation of our profession. Together, we can strengthen our community and build a future where every RT feels heard, valued, and empowered to lead.
Thank you for your consideration and this opportunity.
