Expo Hall Theater Schedule
All times are Central Standard Time.
Day 1 — Saturday, Nov. 14
12:00 p.m.–12:20 p.m.
Military Community Update: 2026 Activity and Survey-Driven Initiatives
James Woods, CMSgt, USAF, M.A.ED., RRT, CCT
LaToya Huff, BA, AAS, RRT
In response to the 2025 Military Taskforce Survey, the Community has launched initiatives for 2026 and beyond to strengthen engagement at every stage of the military RT career. Active-duty members will receive complimentary AARC membership and Congress registration. Efforts to increase Veterans Affairs RT participation include discounted registration at Congress and Summer Forum, representation in Community leadership, and inclusion in Congress military-focused events.
For military RT schools, the Community is exploring student AARC membership from training through graduation, encouraging graduates to earn the RRT credential and pursue a BS degree; and formal collaboration with the Education Section on education, credentialing, and licensing requirements. Together, these efforts aim to support active duty and transitioning military RTs and to build a stronger, more connected Military Community.
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
The Role of the Respiratory Therapists in Lung Cancer Management
Michelle Rausen, MS, RRT, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, FCCM
The treatment of lung cancer often combines systemic therapy (chemotherapy, immunotherapy), radiation therapy, and surgery. In advanced stages novel therapies (e.g., bispecific antibodies) may be an option. These treatments as well as disease, age-related changes, and comorbid conditions (e.g., emphysema, heart disease) can have adverse effects on respiratory function. Lung cancer treatment is becoming more complex, and patients are treated in many clinical settings, therefore effective communication between thoracic oncologists and RTs is essential to ensure patients receive appropriate care to reduce symptom burden and improve quality of life.
This activity is supported through an educational grant from
Day 2 — Sunday, Nov. 15
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
A Review of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
Heather Hicks, RRT, CTTS
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a common genetic condition that predisposes to emphysema and liver disease. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is under-recognized, so affected individuals often experience long delays in diagnosis and visits to multiple physicians before correct diagnosis. Reasoning that inadequate knowledge about alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency could contribute to this under-recognition, we designed this study to evaluate internal medicine house officers’ and respiratory therapists’ (RTs) knowledge of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
This activity is support through educational grants from Grifols and Beam Therapeutics
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
RT Roundtable: The Tankless Truth
Shanna Strayhall, RRT
Craig Rooks, MMHC, RRT
Erin Carr, MSRT, RRT
What RTs learned before, during and after making the switch to tankless iNO.
Moderated by Nick Dawson, Head of Clinical, Beyond Air.
Sponsored by
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
NAVA and Edi Monitoring in Adults
Hariharan Regunath, MD, FACP
Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist (NAVA) is an advanced mode of mechanical ventilation that synchronizes ventilatory support with the patient's neural respiratory drive using a specialized esophageal catheter (Edi catheter). Clinical case examples highlight its utility in managing patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who experience weaning difficulties or patient-ventilator asynchrony. NAVA and Edi monitoring may also serve a dual purpose as both a therapeutic intervention to prevent over-assistance and a diagnostic tool for assessing phrenic nerve integrity, respiratory effort, and sedation adequacy. Ultimately, monitoring the electrical activity of the diaphragm helps clinicians predict extubation readiness and guide recovery.
Sponsored by