Daryl Rogers, MAS, RRT and Joseph Goss, MSJ, RRT
As your Delegates to the AARC, we are proud to serve in this role. The AARC delegates meet twice a year where we conduct business relative to the profession of respiratory care. This past June, we had the privilege to attend the meeting in Ponte Vedra, Florida. The meeting is informative and exhaustive at times. We want to update you on just a few of the highlights.
Debra Skees, who is the AARC Military Liaison, updated us on the committee’s initiative to identify respiratory therapist who served our country and is willing to serve as our military liaison. Currently, eleven states have an active military liaison. Their role would be to provide a presentation of colors at our state meetings and perhaps become involved with the Military Roundtable. If you are interested contact us at info@njsrc.org.
Different delegates have the opportunity to present a best practice presentation. The meeting had four presentations: COPD Transitional Care for the Underserved, Student Mentoring, Student Scholarship Program, and a Graduation Toolkit. As you can see, the House is very focused on student engagement both locally and nationally. In fact, the House of Delegates, with support from the Board of Directors, invites students to attend meetings. If you are a student interested in attending, contact the NJSRC.
John Hiser, International Committee chair, presented his committee report outlining the numerous countries that sent individuals to the U.S. to experience respiratory care. He mentioned this year twenty applicants were chosen who will visit 10 host U.S. cities.
A down point in the meeting was the membership report. AARC membership is down from last year. We all recognize professional membership is often a second thought but at about 25¢ per day it is a bargain in today’s world.
Two areas discussed where you can become involved with the AARC without taking much time out of your day is voting for your AARC leadership in the association’s organization. This year, we will be voting for our Vice President’s, Director-at-Large, Secretary / Treasurer, and if you belong to a specialty section, a number of section chairs will be elected. You will also shortly see an email asking your approval of several bylaws changes. While the everyday member may not understand the intricacies of bylaws, we, your delegates have spent much time reviewing and discussing the changes.
Some of you might be members of specialty sections as a benefit to your AARC membership. These are experts that provide the leadership guidance on issues in their areas. There was mixed news from these individuals. Certain sections are holding their own with membership, while other are shrinking. If you work or have an interest in Adult Acute Care, Home Care, Education, Management, or Neonatal & Pediatrics you might want to join a section.
An update from the executive office came from Tom Kallstrom. He outlined our alliances with Alpha 1 Foundation, Allergy and Asthma Network, and the COPD Foundation. The AARC developed a “Toolkit – Guide” for therapists working in physician practice. The AARC has partnered on several projects with the CDC. Information on these and other events are available on the AARC website.
AARC President Frank Salvatore outlined three key issues: Promote, Advance, Advocate respiratory care. The AARC is working with the Institute for Patient Access to create a document that supports improving access to Respiratory Care for patients.” Additionally, the AARC is working with Leonard Nimoy’s family to increase awareness of COPD in a documentary film that includes therapists. Focused on “Advancing” the profession, a group is working on gap analysis related to the Advance Practice Respiratory Therapist. CoARC currently has a matrix in place and the AARC is working on state and federal levels. The bachelor degree is moving closer to an education standard. The AARC will gather data to assist schools to move toward transitioning to bachelor degree. Advocacy is important to all. We want you to get involved, even if it is voting or writing a letter. The AARC is working on getting “therapist” added to the new federal CONNECT Bill.
As we mentioned at the beginning, it is our honor to represent the NJSRC at the national level. It is a duty each delegate looks toward. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@njsrc.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.
Thank you for your commitment to respiratory care.
Your Delegates,
Daryl Rogers and Joseph Goss
