AARC is pleased to announce the addition of Lisa Fuchs, EdD, MHA, RRT, CTTS, CHWC, FAARC, FNAP, ACUE, to our staff as the new Director of Education.
Lisa is an accomplished academic leader with more than 15 years of experience advancing health sciences education, accreditation excellence, and strategic academic innovation. Her career is distinguished by launching successful educational programs, leading complex accreditation processes, and building high-performing teams across colleges and universities. She is known for aligning academic programs with workforce needs, public health priorities, and institutional strategic plans.
She most recently served as the Founding Program Director of the Master of Respiratory Care at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where, along with an Advisory Board, she developed both an entry-to-practice and a degree-completion program. She introduced immersive virtual 3D lung-disease models for experiential learning. Fuchs previously served as Program Director at Nebraska Methodist College, where she led the design, accreditation, and national recognition of the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy program, oversaw multi-campus clinical partnerships, and established innovative hybrid, online, and simulation-based learning pathways.
Her academic leadership spans curriculum design, program evaluation, faculty development, accreditation readiness, and multi-site academic operations. She has successfully led CoARC accreditation cycles, secured program approvals across institutional and state systems, developed MOUs with major health systems, and built centralized onboarding and clinical education infrastructures that enhanced consistency, compliance, and student success.
Dr. Fuchs holds a Doctor of Education in Leadership and Healthcare, a Master of Healthcare Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management. She is a Registered Respiratory Therapist, Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Certified Health & Well-Being Coach, and an ACUE-certified educator. Her advanced leadership and public policy training through Harvard Medical School further support her ability to lead complex academic and organizational initiatives.
A Fellow of the American Association for Respiratory Care (FAARC), Lisa is well known for her dedication to promoting inclusive excellence, advancing health equity, and fostering education that engages the community. She serves as a media spokesperson and advocate for underserved and rural populations, ensuring respiratory and public health education remains responsive and forward-thinking.
In March 2025, she was honored as a Distinguished Fellow by the National Academies of Practice (FNAP) in Washington, D.C., acknowledging her significant achievements in healthcare education and academic leadership.
