Governor Christie has appointed John as sole Respiratory Therapist on the first-ever COPD task force!
The purpose of the task force is to conduct an investigation and study strategies to promote public awareness about, the causes of COPD, in order to increase knowledge about the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, effective prevention strategies, and disease management.
The task force will be required to determine what existing resources are currently being utilized statewide, evaluate the effectiveness of COPD treatment and prevention strategies currently in place in the State, examine the current scientific base of knowledge concerning COPD through surveillance, epidemiology, and research, and investigate the need for improving the quality and accessibility of existing community-based services related to COPD.
The eleven members will include the Commissioners of Health and Human Services, one member of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate President and one member of the General Assembly to be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, two public members who represent the health care industry in the state, and five public members appointed by the Governor.
The public members appointed by the Governor include one member who represents the American Lung Association in New Jersey, one member who has been diagnosed with COPD, one member who is a pulmonologist with experience in diagnosing persons with COPD, one member who is a respiratory therapist with experience in treating persons with COPD, and one member who represents the health care industry in the State of New Jersey.John Rutkowski
