Board Meeting Minutes

Meeting Highlights

Bylaws voting was underway with 24 unanimous votes recorded and voting scheduled to close August 10. The Board also continued preparations for the 2026 Shore Conference, with the speaker schedule set and registration open.

Steve Vinton resigned as Home Care Committee Chair, and Laurie Barone was approved as his replacement.

Board Decisions

• Nathan Puri of Cooper Medical Center was confirmed as Medical Director/Advisor effective January, pending bylaw approval.
• The Board approved a $1,000 donation to the AARC Disaster Relief Fund, increasing the previously budgeted $500 contribution.
• A new NJSRC podcast and TikTok initiative was approved with production being provided pro bono.
• Board business cards were approved, with William Jackson to produce 100 cards for each Board member.
• The conference hotel policy was clarified: Board members receive two complimentary nights, while speakers receive one complimentary night on the day of their presentation.
• An ad hoc sponsorship committee was approved, led by Mitch O’Shea and William Jackson, with additional Board participation being sought.

Conference and Organizational Follow-Up

Conference ribbons remained under review after Solutions indicated it would no longer cover them. The Board also planned to verify that all bylaws voters were confirmed AARC members after voting closed.

Updates were also discussed regarding respiratory care programs at Fairleigh Dickinson University and Widener University, future Caesars conference contracts, and the Astral ventilator recall and related VOCSN billing issues affecting home care pediatric patients.

Finance and Membership

William Oliver reported that all billing was current and the organization had no debt. Board travel was projected to modestly exceed the $5,200 budget.

Membership retention remained flat, and additional outreach to lapsed members was planned through email, social media, and direct Board-member engagement.

Advocacy and Education

Advocacy updates included introduction of the Access to Improved Respiratory Care (AIR) Act, which targets respiratory therapist reimbursement for pulmonary rehabilitation, as well as continued work supporting the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact.

Education programs continued to report strong progress. Brookdale received 10-year continuing accreditation, Rowan’s Degree Advancement program continued to grow, and the new RTE credentialing exam was reported as scheduled to launch January 1, 2027.

Outreach and Disaster Response

The HOSA report highlighted grassroots high-school outreach as an effective strategy for introducing students to respiratory care careers in New Jersey.

The Disaster Committee reported that no New Jersey hospitals or respiratory therapists had been impacted by recent weather events.

Action Items

• Mitch O’Shea to organize a separate conference planning meeting with Solutions before the conference.
• Bob Guardabasco to provide the AARC member email list for member outreach and develop an RCIC legislative toolkit.
• William Jackson to add the legislative toolkit to the website and distribute POY, VOY, and T-shirt contest materials for Board voting.
• Follow up with Bergen Community College regarding its Student of the Year nominee.
• William Oliver to prepare the $1,000 AARC Disaster Relief donation.
• Mitch O’Shea and William Jackson to launch the ad hoc sponsorship committee and circulate an invitation to the Board.
• Randi Rubin to reach out to lapsed members identified on the membership list.
• Board members to complete the Shore Conference arrival and availability form.

Next Meeting

The next Board meeting is scheduled for October 15, 2026 at 11:00 AM, in person at Harrah’s during the NJSRC Shore Conference.

Meeting Opening

The June 3 meeting began at 6:33 PM with 17 attendees. Executive members in attendance included Mitch O’Shea, Colleen McGowan, William Oliver, and Grace Fong. William Jackson was excused due to hospitalization.

The April 2026 meeting minutes were approved unanimously.

Advocacy Report

Robert Guardabasco reported on the Washington, D.C. Fly-In attended with Erin Sullivan. The Board discussed congressional outreach supporting the SOAR Act, pulmonary rehabilitation legislation, and the new Access to Improve Respiratory Care Act of 2026.

The Board unanimously approved the advocacy report.

Education Committee

Representatives from respiratory care programs across New Jersey shared graduation results, credentialing outcomes, enrollment updates, accreditation progress, clinical partnerships, and workforce developments.

• Rowan University reported 18 graduates and strong clinical-partner feedback.
• Rowan’s Degree Advancement Program reported continued enrollment growth.
• County College of Morris graduated 28 students.
• Bergen Community College graduated 27 students.
• Middlesex College reported strong credentialing and employment outcomes.
• Union College of Union County reported 21 graduates with 100% retention.

Shore Conference Planning

Planning continued for the October 14–16, 2026 Shore Conference at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City. Nineteen presentation submissions had been received, with a goal of securing 22 total speakers.

Early-bird registration pricing remains available through July 7.

Community Outreach and Communications

Board members reported continued participation in career fairs and student outreach activities. The organization’s trifold brochure is being refreshed with updated program information, maps, and QR codes.

Instagram, LinkedIn, website, and events-page updates remain ongoing, with plans to revive the Scope newsletter by the end of the year.

Upcoming Events

• AARC Summer Forum: July 12–14, 2026, in Bonita Springs, Florida.
• NEOP Forum at Morristown Medical Center, with a virtual option available.
• Cooperative Artemis Conference: June 25, 2026.

Legislative and Professional Updates

The Board discussed progress on the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, advocacy following respiratory therapist position reductions at several facilities, and the importance of continued professional engagement through AARC and state societies.

Financial and Operational Updates

William Oliver reported that all organizational accounts remain in good standing. The 990-EZ tax filing and triennial financial compilation were completed, and officer crime and theft coverage was confirmed.

Recognition and Adjournment

The Board congratulated Colleen McGowan on completing her dissertation and earning her doctorate. Members were also recognized for career-fair participation, advocacy, and respiratory care promotion.

The meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM.

Meeting Opening

President Mitch O’Shea called the meeting to order at 6:35 PM and confirmed a quorum of eight Board members. Approximately 52–53 participants attended, including respiratory therapy students from programs throughout New Jersey.

February Meeting Minutes

Two transcription corrections were made before the February minutes were approved unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report

William Oliver presented the financial report, including organizational balances, improved interest earnings, AARC membership-share revenue, and upcoming insurance, tax, and audit obligations.

Membership Report

Membership stood at 1,096 members. Board members were encouraged to personally contact members whose renewals had lapsed.

Bylaws Update

Grace Fong presented the completed proposed bylaw revisions following committee collaboration and alignment with AARC guidance.

• April 15 – Board vote
• July–August – Membership review period
• September – Submission to AARC
• November – Anticipated House of Delegates approval

Communications and Website

Updates included new Board biographies, meeting links, education resources, donation capabilities, licensure information, and continued website improvements.

Advocacy and Education

The Board discussed the AARC Fly-In, federal legislative priorities, interstate compact licensure, educational program developments, and planning for the 2026 Shore Conference.

Other Business

Additional discussion addressed APRT pathways, ECMO legislation, physician-advisor recruitment, sleep medicine research, and New Jersey’s respiratory therapy employment market.