Colleen McGowan – With 28 years of dedicated experience as a respiratory care practitioner and over 19 years in leadership roles, Colleen has consistently focused on fostering the personal and professional growth of respiratory therapists. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in health administration, with a mission to elevate and promote respiratory therapy as a vital specialty within healthcare.
Throughout her career, Colleen has led initiatives to improve clinical practices, mentored therapists and students, and served as a voice for the profession. Her recent nomination for Director at Large for the New Jersey Society for Respiratory Care has strengthened her commitment to advocacy, education, and community engagement.
As President-Elect, Colleen aims to promote greater collaboration among members, advocate for increased recognition, and expand educational opportunities to prepare future leaders. She is committed to addressing issues such as workforce development, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring our profession remains vital and adaptable in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.Dr. Mari Stack is a Respiratory Therapist with 10+ years of experience in both the clinical and academic setting. As the Respiratory Care Director at Jersey Shore Medical Center, Mari continues to advocate for the respiratory profession and practitioner empowerment. Mari also has experience in respiratory education and academia as a former Director of Clinical Education for a CoARC accredited RT program and respiratory clinical educator for JSUMC. Mari’s passion for academia and research led her to obtain her Doctorate in Health Sciences from Campbell University in 2024 providing her with the knowledge and skills she currently leverages to highlight the respiratory profession and emphasize its impact on patient outcomes.
As president-elect Mari hopes to encourage current and future respiratory practitioners to find joy in their profession through research, education, advocacy and recognition at the local and national level.
Vice President ExpandGracielle Fong is a highly experienced therapist with over 20 years of expertise in Neonatology and Pediatric Respiratory Therapy, along with a strong background in Healthcare Education. During the COVID-19 pandemic, while working tirelessly on the front lines, she completed her master’s degree in education and earned tenure at County College of Morris. Currently, she serves as the Program Director of the Respiratory Therapy Program, demonstrating her commitment to shaping future professionals. In October 2023, at the NJSRC Conference, she was sworn in as Director at Large, reflecting her dedication and leadership within the respiratory community. Her nomination was fueled by her genuine passion and care for the profession.
Her personal motto, inspired by Ralph Waldo Emerson, is: “To know even one life breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” She finds profound fulfillment in the impact respiratory therapists have on patients’ lives, especially when helping them breathe easier.
A passionate advocate for education, she believes in molding the future of healthcare by inspiring students and fostering their careers. Her engaging and approachable teaching style keeps students motivated and involved, making learning enjoyable and meaningful.
As Vice President of the NJSRC, she aspires to support the growth of the field by increasing member involvement, encouraging the next generation of respiratory therapists to understand upcoming changes, and promoting greater engagement among students and professionals across New Jersey.
Secretary ExpandWilliam Jackson, RRT
I’ve had the privilege of practicing Respiratory Care for 45 years. Along the way, I’ve met countless remarkable people – patients whose resilience has inspired me, and staff whose dedication has uplifted me. Our journey has carried moments of laughter and tears, each one a reminder of why this work matters.
Today, I’m honored to serve on the Board of the NJSRC as Secretary for the last two years and I am seeking re-election. Thank you to all who supported me in this role. I look forward to hearing your suggestions, and – when needed – your critiques.
I encourage everyone in the field to get involved. Join the AARC. Own your profession. Don’t sit on the bench – get in the game.
We have a new generation of talented respiratory therapists emerging. They need your guidance, your support, your mentorship. One day, they may be standing over your bed. Help them rise. Help them “Be the Expert.”
Treasurer ExpandBill started his career in healthcare after 4 years of service in the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps (2 yrs. of which were as a Combat Medic with the U.S. Marines in Viet-Nam). After discharge, Bill enrolled at Stockton State College as a Pre-Med Biology Major. Needing to work, he applied and was offered an “OJT” position in “Inhalation Therapy” at the Atlantic City Hospital (now AtlantiCare Medical Center) in 1971 where he remained until graduation from Stockton in 1974. Relocating to Hollywood, Florida, he began work as a “Respiratory Tech” (no formal RT education or credential) at Memorial Hospital where he was mentored by an outstanding Director who encouraged his to return to school. In 1975, Bill completed the advanced standing, accelerated program of Respiratory Therapy study at the University of Chicago. He successfully completed the written NBRC Registry Exam as well as the Oral Boards shortly thereafter.
Since that time, Bill has served as Department Director in various hospitals (Florida and New Jersey) for over 46 years, retiring in 2017. He now enjoys Consultant status at Aeris Consulting and Management, LLC in South Jersey as well as a Guest Lecturer for A & T Lectures, LLC. He continues his membership in the American Association for Respiratory Care and, over the years, has served in several State Board offices in both FLA and NJ – currently serves as Treasurer for the New Jersey Society for Respiratory Care. In his spare time, he continues to umpire youth baseball and is a Little League World Series Umpire Alumni.
Director-at-large ExpandJuan has dedicated 27 years to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, currently serving as the Clinical Coordinator, where he oversees 85 therapists, ensuring their expertise and safety remain current. Throughout his career as a Respiratory Therapist, he has mentored numerous colleagues and made a lasting impact. His diverse experience spans in liver perfusion, home care, critical care, Neonatal, Pediatrics, adjunct professor at Bergen Community College and corporate settings, broadening his professional influence. Juan is a big proponent of patient safety and has authored articles in preventing patient injuries. Juan earned his bachelor’s degree from Thomas Edison State University and has made significant contributions to the New Jersey Society for Respiratory Care (NJSRC). He is also an active member of the Public Relations and Communications Committee and is the ECMO committee Chair. He loves fishing, baseball, golfing, and spending time with his family.
Lori brings nearly two decades of clinical expertise, leadership, and passionate advocacy to the respiratory care profession. A proud graduated from Bergen Community College in 2007, Lori began her career at Hackensack University Medical Center, where she worked from 2007 to 2019, specializing in pediatric and neonatal care. Currently serving as Assistant Manager for At Home Medical within the Atlantic Healthcare System, Lori continues to strive in patient education and disease management- empowering individuals to improve their quality of life through home-based respiratory care. Lori has also made meaningful contributions through her role as Director-At-Large for the NJSRC board. She is an active member of the Home Care Committee and has been an active AARC member since 2005.
With over a decade of experience in healthcare leadership, I bring a deep understanding of clinical operations, strategic planning, and team development. I am passionate about creating systems that support both patient care excellence and staff wellbeing. As a collaborative leader, I value transparency, inclusion, and innovation qualities. These ideals are essential in the role of director at large. I’m eager to serve in this capacity to help shape policies and initiatives that reflect the needs and voices of our diverse professional community.
As the dayshift supervisor of respiratory care and pulmonary services, Crystal Fey BS-RRT brings a strong foundation in clinical practice and a passion for leadership at RWJUH. I began my career in respiratory care after graduating from Brookdale Community College in 2014 and later earned my bachelor’s degree in respiratory care from Thomas Edison State University in 2020. My clinical experience began at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and per diem at RWJUH. In 2022, I officially stepped into the role of Supervisor, encouraged by my peers who recognized my leadership background and organizational strengths. Since then, I’ve led multiple initiatives that blend clinical expertise with strategic management to drive improvements across our department. I am deeply committed to the continued growth of our department and the advancement of respiratory care professionals throughout the state. My goals are to ensure our practitioners receive the support and recognition they deserve and help the world see the true value of our profession.
Michael is a respiratory therapist who graduated from Bergen community college. He joined Cooperman Barnabas Medical center as a staff therapist but quickly moved into the lead therapist role in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Shortly after, he was promoted to clinical care manager where he helps lead his team through leadership and clinical skill.
Randi is the System Director of Respiratory Therapy at Atlantic Health and co-chair of the Pulmonary Integrated Care Committee (PICC), where she has helped lead systemwide efforts to reduce COPD and pneumonia readmissions and improve patient outcomes. With nearly 20 years of experience in adult, pediatric, and neonatal respiratory care, Randi is a passionate advocate for the profession and regularly visits high schools to educate students about respiratory therapy and inspire the next generation of clinicians. Outside of work, she is a proud wife to “Randy with a Y” and devoted mother to three children, ages 16, 14, and 11. As a parent of children with Tourette’s syndrome, OCD, and anxiety, Randi embraces their uniqueness and encourages them to be the best spoon they can be in a drawer full of forks.
Eric is passionate about helping students learn in a positive teaching environment, develop their own self-awareness and autonomy in respiratory therapy. I am currently completing my master’s in business administration concentration in Healthcare Administration. I have been a respiratory therapist for 16 years and I held several specialty positions including adult ECMO specialist, neonatal/pediatric specialist, and pulmonary function technologist. I currently work as a respiratory therapist in Northern New Jersey, and I volunteer as an NBRC Social Media Ambassador. If I were chosen for this role, my goal is to unite my fellow respiratory therapists by promoting engagement in meetings, volunteerisms and donations.
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