AARC Activities:
- AARC Elections Committee (2026 – present)
- NextGen RT Network co-chair (2025 – present)
- AARC Bylaws committee (2022 – 2023)
HOD Activities:
- Junior Delegate – Respiratory Care Society of Washington (2013 – 2018)
- Senior Delegate – Respiratory Care Society of Washington (2019 – 2025)
- Student Mentorship Committee member (2013 – 2025)
- Student Mentorship Committee co-chair (2018 – 2025)
Affiliate Activities:
- President – Respiratory Care Society of Washington (2012)
- President-elect – Respiratory Care Society of Washington (2011)
- Past President – Respiratory Care Society of Washington (2013)
- Junior Delegate – Respiratory Care Society of Washington (2014 – 2018)
- Senior Delegate – Respiratory Care Society of Washington (2019 – 2025)
- At-large Board Member – Respiratory Care Society of Washington (2004 – 2012)
- Strategic Planning Committee – Respiratory Care Society of Washington (2011 – current)
- Bylaws Committee – Respiratory Care Society of Washington (2010 – 2025)
- Parliamentarian – Respiratory Care Society of Washington (2018 – 2025)
Related Organizations:
- Site Visitor – Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (2025 – current)
- Advisory Board Member – Washington HOSA (2024 – current)
Education and Credentials:
- Master of Education (M.Ed.), Instructional Design, Western Governors University, Salt Lake City, UT — September 2016
- Associate of Science, Respiratory Therapy, Highline Community College, Des Moines, WA — June 1995
- Bachelor of Science, Exercise Science, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA — December 1990
Publications:
- Carter G, et al. Validation of an Epidemiologic Screening Protocol for Acute Lung Injury. Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 2002
- Carter G, et al. Barriers to Providing Lung-Protective Ventilation in ALI/ARDS. Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 2001
Elections Committee Questions:
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the AARC and what do you recommend addressing it?
A primary challenge facing the American Association for Respiratory Care is maintaining robust member engagement while effectively demonstrating organizational value in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment.
To address this challenge, the AARC should prioritize delivering tangible member value through practical clinical resources, accessible continuing education, mentorship, and career development. These efforts should be supported by transparent, bidirectional communication that demonstrates how member input informs organizational decisions and advocacy. Ongoing leadership in workforce advocacy, clinician well-being, and professional recognition, achieved through policy engagement, equitable compensation, and appropriate scope of practice, will further enhance organizational relevance. Purposeful engagement of students and early-career professionals through strategic partnerships and leadership development pathways is essential to ensure long-term organizational sustainability.
Health care is changing more rapidly than ever. What ideas do you have to help today’s Respiratory Therapist meet these challenges?
Facilitating the success of contemporary respiratory therapists in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment necessitates a deliberate emphasis on adaptability, professional development, and comprehensive support. Continuous access to relevant, practice-oriented education is critical, especially in advanced clinical decision-making, technology integration, interprofessional collaboration, and innovative care models. Flexible, accessible continuing education enables clinicians to maintain up-to-date competencies while managing demanding workloads.
Supporting respiratory therapists in a dynamic healthcare environment requires a sustained commitment to education, leadership development, innovation, and advocacy. Practice-oriented and accessible continuing education enables clinicians to adapt to advancing technologies, evolving care models, and increasing interprofessional demands while managing substantial workloads. Leadership development, mentorship, and defined care.
How would you approach optimizing, developing, and implementing value added benefits, programs, and resources within AARC leadership and governance structures to meet the diverse needs of our members while also cultivating a keen sense of belonging and encouraging long term membership?
To enhance value-added benefits within the American Association for Respiratory Care, I would collaborate closely with leadership and governance to align initiatives with the organization’s mission and members’ evolving needs. I would prioritize data-driven decisions, using member feedback, workforce trends, and outcomes assessments to guide program development.
I would focus on scalable, practice-relevant resources to support clinicians at all career stages, including education, leadership development, mentorship, and wellness initiatives. Transparent communication is essential to show how member input shapes priorities and investments. To foster belonging and long-term engagement, I would promote inclusive programming, leadership pathways, and recognition opportunities that reflect the profession’s diversity. By building trust, relevance, and shared purpose, the AARC can strengthen member loyalty and deliver sustainable value.
Your role as Director-at Large is to represent the general AARC membership. If given the opportunity to represent, what will be your goals in advocating for the everyday respiratory care professional?
As Director-at-Large for the American Association for Respiratory Care, my primary goal will be to advocate for respiratory care professionals by ensuring their voices and priorities guide organizational decisions. I will champion initiatives that deliver practical value, including accessible continuing education, career development resources, and support for clinical excellence in all practice settings.
Workforce sustainability will be a key advocacy priority. I will address burnout by promoting work-life balance, adopting technological advancements such as AI to reduce administrative burdens, and encouraging advanced certifications to expand career pathways.
I will promote open communication between leadership and members to ensure feedback informs organizational strategy. By supporting inclusivity, professional development, and strong representation, I aim to ensure respiratory therapists feel valued and supported throughout their careers.
