Mike Hess, MPH, RPFT, RRT
“People still need to breathe outside hospitals. Why should they have to be inside one to see a respiratory therapist? By joining APAC, you can help change that. Our top priority is to help newer roles like care navigators and patient educators become more common as well as help existing roles in settings like pulmonary rehabilitation and telehealth flourish. We challenge the breakroom trope that there’s nothing clinical to do in this field away from the bedside and with your help, we can make sure every RT can find a role that fits their career goals and interests!”
Mike has been an RT since 2006.He started in the ambulatory care space in 2016 as WMed Health’s first primary care-based respiratory therapist and is currently senior director of advocacy & regulatory affairs for the COPD Foundation. He holds degrees in interdisciplinary health sciences and public health, both from Western Michigan University.
In 2019, Mike served as the president of the Michigan Society for Respiratory Care. He also received the Specialty Practitioner of the Year Award from the Ambulatory and Post-Acute Care section, in part for his work integrating respiratory care into Southwestern Michigan’s public health environment through a National Institutes of Health subcontract. The subcontract included billboard advertising and the use of mobile spirometry in community settings (churches, health fairs, shelters, etc.) to raise awareness about lung disease. He was also involved in the development of the first COPD National Action Plan in 2016. More recently, Mike helped launch the World Oxygen Day campaign, addressing barriers to oxygen therapy around the world, regardless of disease state or care environment.
Mike lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan with his wife, family, and a frankly excessive number of cats. Reach out anytime, but be sure to lead with your favorite Star Trek quote!
Mike was elected as Section Chair in 2024.
Student Ambassador
Kendall Walker
Weber State University, UT
Previous Ambulatory and Post-Acute Care Section Chairs
| Year | Chair/Co-chair |
|---|---|
| 2021–2024 | Timothy Buckley, MSc, RRT, FAARC |
Previous Continuing Care/Rehab Section Chairs
| Year | Chair/Co-chair |
|---|---|
| 2019–2021 | Adam Mullaly, BSRT, RRT, AE-C |
| 2017–2018 | Krystal Craddock, BSRC, RRT-NPS, AE-C, CCM, Gene Gantt, RRT, FAARC, Zachary Gantt, BS, RRT |
| 2016 | Trina M. Limberg, BS, RRT, FAARC |
| 2013–2015 | Gerilynn Connors, BS, RRT |
| 2007–2012 | Debra M. Koehl, MS, RRT, AE-C |
| 2003–2006 | Cheri Duncan, RRT |
| 2001–2003 | Mary K. Hart, RRT |
| 1999–2000 | Trina M. Limberg, BS, RRT |
| 1997–1998 | Julien M. Roy, BA, RRT |
| 1995–1996 | Gretchen Lawrence, BA, RRT |
| 1993–1994 | Cathi Muselman, CRTT |
| 1991–1992 | Lana R. Hilling, CRTT |
| 1989–1990 | Laura J. Reisman Beytas, BSPH, RRT |
| 1987–1988 | James M. Maguire, PhD, CRTT |
| 1985–1986 | Jerry A. O’Ryan, BS, RRT |
| 1984 | James M. Maguire, PhD, CRTT |
| 1983 | Unavailable |
| 1982 | James M. Maguire, MEd, CRTT |
| 1979–1981 | Marion T. Leone, RN |
| 1978 | Donna Lee Frownfelter, BA, RPT, RRT |
Previous Long-Term Care Section Chairs
| Year | Chair/Co-chair |
|---|---|
| 2012-2015 | Lorraine Bertuola, BA, RRT |
| 2008–2011 | Gene Gantt, RRT |
| 2007 | Maria M. Wooldridge, MA, RRT |
| 2006 | Gretchen May-Fendo, RRT |
| 2003–2005 | Melinda Gaylor-Childress, MEd., RRT |
| 2002 | Carol C. Dague, BS, RRT |
| 1999–2000 | Becky Mabry, BS |
| 1997–1998 | Kevin Cornish, RRT |
| 1995–1996 | Patrick Dunne, MEd, RRT |
Previous Home Care Section Chairs
| Year | Chair/Co-chair |
|---|---|
| 2014–2016 | Kimberly Wiles, BS, RRT, CPFT |
| 2010–2014 | Greg Spratt BS, RRT, CPFT |
| 2007–2010 | Robert McCoy, BS, RRT, FAARC |
| 2003–2007 | Joan Kohorst, MA, RRT-NPS |
| 1999–2003 | Joseph Lewarski, RRT |
| 1997–1998 | Nicholas J. Macmillan, AGS, RRT |
| 1995–1996 | Allan B. Saposnick, MS, RRT |
| 1993–1994 | Patrick J. Dunne, MEd, RRT |