The Jimmy A. Young Award is the highest honor bestowed by the AARC. Named after the late AARC president who dedicated his life to the profession, it recognizes individuals who have made lasting, sustained contributions to respiratory care.
In a special retrospective, Lisa Weisenberger, AARC Director of Content and Communications, sat down with four of the five women who have received this prestigious honor: Dianne Lewis, MS, RRT, FAARC (2025), Trudy Watson, BS, RRT, FAARC (2018), Margaret Traband, MEd, RRT, FAARC (2011), and Teresa Volsko, MBA, MHHS, LSSBB, RRT, FAARC (2020). They discussed their careers, the evolution of the profession, and what it means to lead as a woman in a high-stakes medical field. The fifth woman, Louise Julius, was a recipient in 1988 with her husband, John.
A Legacy of Service
For each recipient, the journey to the Jimmy A. Young Award began with a commitment to service. Lewis, the 2025 recipient, reflected on her roots in the House of Delegates and her pivotal work on the Clinical Practice Guidelines Steering Committee. “My group wrote and published the first clinical practice guideline for the association,” Lewis noted, highlighting a milestone that helped to standardize care for patients nationwide.
Traband, who joined the AARC in 1972, emphasized that professional advancement often starts locally. “We began with our state societies,” she said. “You don’t do it looking for what else you need to check off a list to get an award. You’re just moving ahead where you think you can do the most good.”
Breaking the Glass Ceiling
While women make up a significant portion of the respiratory therapy workforce today, they were historically underrepresented in the highest levels of leadership. Watson shared some eye-opening statistics:
- First 50 years of AARC: Only nine women were elected president (18%).
- First 25 years of this century: 7 of 17 presidents have been female (41%).
Volsko pointed out that this shift has changed the culture of mentorship. “In 1979, if you were invited to the table, you didn’t dare bring another woman up with you because there was only one or two seats,” Volsko explained. “Now we have the power to change that landscape from being competitive to really lifting each other up.”
Lessons for the Next Generation
When asked what advice they would give to new Respiratory Therapists (RTs), the recipients offered a roadmap for a fulfilling career:
1. Master the Art of Networking
Watson stressed the importance of being known both within your hospital and in related organizations like the American Lung Association. “Get involved so your name is known and you are trusted within your own organization,” she advised.
2. Be Over-Prepared
Traband highlighted the value of clinical grounding. She recalled the “Journal Clubs” of the 1970s where therapists would study the latest research. “Being over-prepared is status quo for most of us,” she said. “You have to be well-versed, so you don’t come off half-prepared.”
3. Lead from the Bedside
Volsko reminded new RTs that a title doesn’t define leadership. “Don’t let the fact that you have the title of a clinical respiratory therapist stop you from doing great things. Lead where you are.”
Challenges and the Horizon Ahead
The profession faces a dual reality: massive growth and significant pressure. While Lewis noted the abundance of job opportunities in the coming decade, Watson pointed out the challenge of “finding the students to fill the seats in the classroom” to meet that demand.
Furthermore, the post-pandemic landscape has brought burnout to the forefront. Traband offered a poignant reminder to those feeling the strain: “The further away you get from the bedside, the less positive reinforcement happens. Take the time to reflect at the end of the day. Know that you’ve alleviated breathlessness and calmed patients. Steep in that moment.”
The Jimmy A. Young Award is more than a trophy; it is a testament to a lifetime of professional advocacy. As these four leaders demonstrated, the future of respiratory care relies on a blend of clinical excellence, tireless mentorship, and the courage to take a seat at the table.
