Tuesday Gazette
Sputum Bowl 2016: We have winners!
National winners from Florida
Student winners from Minnesota
The Medtronic Sputum Bowl Finals were fierce last night as teams from across the country battled it out for the top prizes. The winners are —
National Bowl
First place: Florida
Second place: Michigan
Third place: Colorado and Missouri
Student Bowl
First place: Minnesota
Second place: California
Third place: Texas and Michigan
Congratulations to these winners and all of our Sputum Bowl competitors this year!
Phil Kittredge Memorial Lecture
The Future of Mechanical Ventilation for ARDS
Mechanical ventilation for people suffering from the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a bit like the proverbial Catch-22. While those with acute lung disease must be mechanically ventilated to have a chance at survival, mechanical ventilation itself can cause lung injury.
Lung protective ventilation has been hailed at the solution, but mortality and morbidity from ARDS remain unacceptably high. In this morning’s Kittredge Lecture Eddy Fan, MD, reviewed the evolution of lung protective ventilation and shared upcoming evidence-based guidelines that are expected to direct clinicians on its administration. He also took a look at new research coming down the pike that may help shape the way we mechanically ventilate ARDS patients in the future.
Dr. Fan is a professor in the University of Toronto’s Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation who has a special interest in advanced life support for patients with severe acute respiratory failure. He has published 100 papers in peer review journals.
The Kittredge Lecture will be published in a 2017 edition of Respiratory Care.
International Reception honors our friends from abroad
International colleagues from around the world traveled many miles to attend the AARC Congress this week and they were all honored in an International Reception that took place yesterday evening. In addition to recognizing this year’s speakers from abroad and our 2016 International Fellows, Jingen Xia, MS, RRT; Julita V. Toledo, RMT, RTRP, MPA; and Marina Labor, MD, PhD, the 2016 Toshihiko Koga, MD International Medal was presented to Lisa M. Trujillo, DHSc, RRT, for her work with respiratory professionals in Ghana.
An associate professor and director of clinical education for the respiratory care program at Weber State University in Ogden, UT, Dr. Trujillo has spearheaded a years-long effort to help health facilities in Ghana upgrade their respiratory services and work with the educational system to launch a program aimed at training respiratory therapists to serve the country.
Love is in the air at AARC Congress 2016
Tyler Nelson and Ashlyn Krupa
Ashlyn Krupa couldn’t have been more excited to have her abstract accepted to this year’s OPEN FORUM, and sharing it with her colleagues on Monday was a big thrill for this Boise State University RT student.
Little did she know the excitement wouldn’t end with the conclusion of her presentation at the podium.
After she finished her remarks, in walked her boyfriend Tyler Nelson, who she did not know had come to San Antonio.
Yes, you guessed it – he climbed on the podium, got down on his knees, held out a beautiful engagement ring, and said the words she never expected to hear at the AARC Congress, “Will you marry me?”
Ashlyn wasted no time saying “yes,” a big embrace followed, and the crowd burst out in applause.
“This is such a huge event for her, for her research, for her career, so it would be amazing if I could work it out to come propose here at the AARC Congress,” said Tyler. The AARC staff helped him plan everything and get ready. “They loved the idea. I believe this was the first time it has ever happened here,” Tyler pointed out. “Thank you to AARC for helping it happen.”
“It was definitely a surprise, that’s for sure. I was completely shocked!” said Ashlyn. “It’s awesome. I will remember this forever.”
Congratulations to Ashlyn and Tyler on their engagement!
Stories of 9-11 highlight Closing Ceremony
Richard Picciotto
The AARC Congress finished with a bang, as FDNY fire chief Richard “Pitch” Picciotto wowed attendees with stories of the 9-11 attacks during the Closing Ceremony. In addition to talking about his role in helping to rescue victims in the North Tower, Picciotto expressed his gratitude for the respiratory therapists in New York who have helped so many first responders -- himself included -- with the lung problems they developed as a result of their exposure to all of the dust and debris at Ground Zero.
We’ll have a recap of Picciotto's talk in our February issue of AARC Times.
Summer Forum heads to Tucson
AARC Summer Forum 2017 will be June 25–27, in Tucson, AZ
Respiratory care managers and educators will be heading to Tucson, AZ, for the 2017 Summer Forum, and the Program Committee is sure to have a great line-up of lectures and symposia ready to bring them up to date on all the latest developments in their areas of expertise.
Tucson will be a great place to gather as well. With easy access to the Grand Canyon and other points of interest in Arizona, it will be the perfect jumping off place for a family vacation, and there are a wealth of attractions within the city itself to keep your traveling companions busy while you’re at the meeting. From the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum to Reid Park Zoo to the Tucson Botanical Gardens to the historical wild west town known as Old Tucson, everyone will enjoy the stay.
Summer Forum dates are June 25–27, Sunday–Tuesday. Stay tuned to AARC.org for more information on the site and registration!
On to Indianapolis!
AARC Congress 2017 will be Oct. 4–7, in Indianapolis, IN
AARC Congress 2016 may have just ended, but it’s not too early to start thinking about AARC Congress 2017! We’ll be in Indianapolis, IN, next Oct. 4–7 for our 70th anniversary meeting, and the city promises to welcome us with open arms.
Save $100 on Congress Registration
Known best for its Indy 500 racing event, Indianapolis is the perfect place to gather for great education and fun times with friends and colleagues. Rated the #1 convention city in America by USA Today, there’s something for everyone. From the famous Indianapolis 500 speedway itself and the Hall of Fame Museum adjacent to it, to world class art museums, the 3-mile Central Canal, the Indianapolis Zoo, Lucas Oil Stadium (home of the Colts!), the Indiana War Memorial, and more, you’ll find plenty to occupy your downtime at the meeting.
Our early October dates almost guarantee we’ll be met by spectacular weather, and even if inclement weather does move into town while we’re there, all of the hotels are interconnected with the convention center via skybridges, which means no one will have to expose themselves to the elements to get where they need to go.
Attendees will also appreciate the fact that there are 200+ great restaurants covering all tastes and budgets within a short 5 minute walk of the convention center. No need for costly cab rides here!
RFPs for speakers and topics are being accepted online now, and the deadline is Dec. 31. There will be no extensions!