AARC Election 2026 — Kenneth Harker

AARC Activities:

• AARC Diagnostic Section Chair 11/6/23 – Present
• AARC Board of Directors 11/21/24 – Present

Affiliate Activities:

• Michigan Society of Respiratory Care – Diagnostics Section Chair 1/1/22 – 11/2024
• Michigan Society of Respiratory Care – District Representative 1/1/23 – 12/31/24

Education and Credentials:

• BSRT

Elections Committee Questions:

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

Maintaining and growing membership. The AARC is a member focused organization, and I believe it should continue to do anything and everything it can for its members. Continue to support the current members but reach out to those who are not. Listen and learn to them and figure out what needs to be done to gain their membership back. I think this can be done together with the AARC and the state affiliates.

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

I think we need to be open to change and to accept that it’s the one constant in healthcare. We should be flexible enough to work with the changes and adapt to them. I also think we need to open to AI to help us with our work.

I would love to see us have more education around AI and how to adapt to change in healthcare in general. Let’s meet RT’s where they’re at and give them the tools and resources they need to succeed in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.

The value of this section is important. If given the opportunity to represent, what would you do to increase the value of this section, and how would you increase interest in section membership?

I would love to continue to provide monthly section meetings that provide education around all diagnostics. I would continue to facilitate lively discussion through AARConnect and to encourage the section to continue learning. I am excited for the opportunity; thank you for allowing me to participate.