Expo Hall Theater Schedule

All times are Central Standard Time.

Day 1 — Saturday, Nov. 14

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

Ali Ledoux

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

Heather Hicks

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