AARC Election 2025 — Keith Siegel

AARC Activities:

• AARC Board of Directors (HOD Immediate Past-Speaker), 2019-2020, 2024;
• AARC Board of Directors (Director at Large), 2021-2023;
• Chair, AARC Bylaws Committee, 2009;
• Chair, AARC Audit Subcommittee, 2016;
• Member, AARC Bylaws Committee, 2008-2009, 2015;
• Member, AARC Social Media Committee, 2013;
• Member, AARC Audit Subcommittee, 2014, 2016
• Member, AARC Finance Committee, 2014, 2016
• Member, AARC Advocacy & Government Affairs Committee, 2016, 2019-2024
• Member, AARC Fellowship Committee, 2024

HOD Activities:

• Delegate, Maine Society for Respiratory Care, 2004-2015;
• Speaker of the House, 2017-2018;
• Speaker-elect, 2016;
• Immediate Past-Speaker, 2019-2020, 2024;
• Treasurer, 2014;
• Co-Chair, HOD Elections Committee;
• Member, HOD Orientation Committee;
• Member, HOD Delegate Assistance Committee, 2015

Affiliate Activities:

• President, Maine Society for Respiratory Care, 1999;
• President-elect, 1998;
• Immediate Past-President, 2000;
• Delegate, 2004-2015;
• Board Member-at-Large,1997;
• Maine PACT Representative, 2007-2024

Related Organizations:

• Chair, Kennebec Valley Community College RT Advisory Board, 2011-2012, 2018-2024;
• Member, Kennebec Valley Community College RT Advisory Board, 1996-2002, 2006-2024;
• Member, American College of Chest Physicians, 2017-2023
• Board of Directors, American Lung Association of Maine, 1998-2009;
• Member, American Lung Association of Maine Pediatric Asthma Advisory Board, 1991-1998;
• Member, American Lung Association of Maine Public Policy Advocacy Committee, 2011-2016;

Education:

• Master of Business Administration (Healthcare Management), Southern New Hampshire University, 2016;
• RRT, Southern Maine Community College, 1992
• CRTT, Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute, 1981

Publications:

• Siegel K, (2017). 2017 GOLD recommendations. AARC Times, 41(11): 14-16.;
• Sullivan J, Pravosud V, Mannino DM, Siegel K, Choate R, Sullivan T. (2018) National and state estimates of COPD morbidity and mortality — United States, 2014-2015. Chronic Obstr Pulm Dis. 5(4): 324-333. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15326/jcopdf.5.4.2018.0157;
• Pasquale C, Malanga E, McCreary G, Siegel K, Clark W, Mularsky R, Yawn B. (2019) Developing a Self-Report Tool for Collecting COPD Medicines [Abstract]. Chest. 156(4): A1613-A1614. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2019.08.1419
• Oakes, D. F., Shortall, S. P., & Jones, S. (2022). Oakes’ Ventilator Management: An Oakes Pocket Guide. (5th ed.). Respiratory Books. (Asst.Ed.)

Elections Committee Questions:

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the AARC, and what do you recommend to address it?

The respiratory therapy profession faces a significant challenge in retaining its workforce due to staffing shortages, limited opportunities for advancement, and restrictions on the scope of practice for RTs. The AARC needs to continue working to help RTs understand the critical role the AARC plays in advancing the respiratory therapy profession and the equally important role each RT plays in making the AARC a strong organization.

Continuing our advocacy efforts to assure that patients have access to RTs in all settings is very important. We must publicize the value of the RT profession and the meaningful ways the AARC helps the RT and our patients. Finally, we need to continue the working to build an organization that is representative of our membership through embracing diversity and inclusion within our ranks. Implementing these initiatives will allow our profession and our organization to remain the leading organization to advance the profession of respiratory care worldwide.

Healthcare is changing more rapidly than ever. What ideas do you have to help today’s respiratory therapist meet these changes?

Ongoing professional development is crucial. As healthcare becomes more focused on technology, outcomes, and evidence-based care, it is vital that RTs keep up with the changes to remain relevant. I recommend four strategies to assist RTs in navigating the evolving healthcare landscape:

1. Incorporating technology into clinical practice can improve efficiency and enhance patient care.
2. Staying abreast of the latest research ensures evidence-based practice, optimizing patient outcomes.
3. Working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals fosters interdisciplinary care and demonstrates the value of the RT.
4. Advocating for the recognition and importance of the respiratory therapist can help secure essential support and resources, ensuring optimal patient care delivery.

These strategies will enable respiratory therapists to adapt to the evolving healthcare landscape, allowing us to deliver high-quality care and remain at the forefront of our profession.

Share your thoughts about how you can encourage the AARC Committees, Specialty Sections, and Special Representatives to contribute to the strategic plan for the AARC. How do you see your role in this process?

Like all professional associations, the AARC can only be effective if everyone is pulling in the same direction. Effective communication is key. AARC committees, specialty sections, special representatives, and the chartered affiliates all play important roles in the driving the mission of the AARC, but there needs to be active communication between all stakeholders. As Vice President of Internal Affairs, my role would be to act as liaison to these different groups, communicating the AARC’s strategic plan to them, and bringing their ideas on ways to best implement it to the AARC Board and Executive Office. Ensuring ongoing dialogue and collaboration would be a very important part of my role as VP of Internal Affairs.