Joan A. Kohorst, MA, RRT-NPS
Clinical Manager, Apria Healthcare
St. Louis, Missouri

Biography

Nominee Questions

Biography
AARC member since 1984. Clinical Manager, Apria Healthcare, St. Louis, Missouri. AARC: Member, Classified Ad Project Committee, 1992-94; Member, Education Section, 1992-98; Member, Home Care Section, 1997-Present. AFFILIATE: President, Missouri Society for Respiratory Care, 2000-02; Member, Board of Directors, 1992-Present; Chair, Scholarship Committee, 1993; Co-Chair, AARC PACT Committee, 1999-Present; Member, Education Committee, 1992-97. RELATED ORGANIZATIONS: Member, American Lung Association Pulmonary Society; Member, Missouri Thoracic Society; Member, American Association of Home Care. EDUCATION: Master of Arts, Teaching, St. Louis, Missouri, 2001; Bachelor of Health Science, St. John's Mercy Respiratory Care Program, 1985. PUBLICATIONS: Contributor, "Egan's Fundamentals of Respiratory Care Workbook", 1995; Contributor, "Pediatric Home Care Procedure Manual", 1998; Contributor, "Manual of Home Health Nursing Procedures", 2000.

1. If the AARC was your company, and you had free reign to make changes, with unlimited resources, what would you do?
This is an easy question! I'd use my unlimited resources to market respiratory therapy. Our profession is still the best-kept secret in health care. The general public knows what physicians, nurses, physical therapists, laboratory, and radiology technicians do, but they have never heard of respiratory therapists. Often, our own families are unsure about what we do for a living.

If the AARC were my company, I'd launch a series of multi-media campaigns aimed at increasing public awareness of our profession. Increased public awareness should enhance the recruiting efforts for our educational programs. That should lead to an increased number of qualified therapists. Greater recognition of respiratory therapy by state and federal legislators should improve the effectiveness of our efforts to lobby for professional recognition.

And maybe, just maybe, Aunt Helen will stop referring to me as "some kind of a nurse".

2. What is the most significant challenge facing the respiratory care profession in the next three years? How do you feel the AARC should respond to this challenge?
The most significant challenge facing the respiratory care profession is a declining pool of available therapists to care for an increasing number of patients with chronic lung disorders. AARC data show that there are approximately 120,000 practicing respiratory therapists in the United States. CDC statistics show that approximately 16 million people in the U.S. suffer from COPD. Payors are exerting incredible pressure to provide care for this patient population in the least costly venue. The least costly venue is the patient's own home.

I feel that the AARC should respond to this challenge by focusing more of our efforts on recruiting and retaining respiratory therapists who can provide care for our patients across all clinical settings, not just critical care. Our COPD patients can be cared for at home. Respiratory therapists need to be there to provide that care.

3. How can the AARC become more attractive to younger (newer) respiratory therapists?
I have always felt that it is my obligation as a respiratory therapist to stay involved, informed, and active in my profession. Membership in the AARC provides me with the opportunity to meet this obligation.

I taught respiratory care for five years. We emphasized the importance of active participation in the AARC. Our students became members and many of them still are.

I was elected to a leadership position with my state society in 1998. I travel across several states for my employer, visiting our branches in both urban and rural markets. I have presented at national, state affiliate, and local hospital conferences for over ten years.