Michael Tracy, BA, RRT-NPS
NICU-PICU Lead Therapist
Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio

Biography

Nominee Questions

Biography
AARC member since 1981. NICU/PICU Lead Therapist, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio. AARC: Member, Neonatal-Pediatric Section, 2000-Present. AFFILIATE: Member, Bylaws Committee, Oregon Society for Respiratory Care, 1984-87; Member, State Licensure Committee, 1984-87. EDUCATION: AA, Respiratory Care, Lakeland Community College, Mentor, Ohio, 1981; BA, Biology/Education, Hiram College, Hiram, Ohio, 1973. PUBLICATIONS: Author, "Ventilating Neonates; Proper Application of Mechanical Ventilation", Advance for Managers of Respiratory Care, 1996; Author, "Ventilating Neonates, Advanced Strategies of Mechanical Ventilation", Advance for Managers of Respiratory Care, 1996; Author, "Blood Gas Analysis: Using the Gold Standard", Respiratory Products Report, 1997.

1. If the AARC was your company, and you had free reign to make changes, with unlimited resources, what would you do?
As with all companies, the AARC most continue to grow. The AARC, all 30,000 strong, represents a minority of RCPs nationwide. Each additional RCP who joins the AARC increases political access and credibility, and strengthens the AARC's position with lawmakers and politicians.

With unlimited resources and free reign, I would pursue the company's business plan. Development and implementation of a comprehensive research program would be paramount. Providing objective data to validate the science of respiratory care and the value of RCPs in providing the service of respiratory care is in the best interest of the consumer and the provider. Objective data will identify which therapies/modalities provide positive outcomes and allow the elimination of those where there is no benefit to the consumer. Publish the results and disseminate the information to the membership, physicians, administrators and agencies to collectively work toward efficacious, high quality, low-cost care for the consumer.

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?
Improving the AARC's membership is the biggest challenge in the next three years. Increasing the membership is tantamount to increasing the revenue stream. Increasing the membership will increase the money available to validate the science of respiratory care, promote political action, and provide scientific information and educational opportunities for the membership.

The AARC must aggressively market itself to non-member RCPs. The AARC must work with state affiliates to identify all RCPs in the nationwide work force. Identification of obstacles to membership needs to be identified and removed. The AARC must continue to tailor its member benefits to recruit, maintain and grow its membership.

In addition to recruiting members already in the work force, the AARC should improve its communication and services with students. Recruit them to membership and maintain their membership in the formative career years.

3. How can the AARC become more attractive to younger (newer) respiratory therapists?
Begin with increased communication during the school years. Tailor some benefits to "new grads". Perhaps this should include a tiered price structure for membership until they are firmly established in their careers.

Encourage respiratory care departments to mentor younger staff members to develop professional attitude and direction. Encourage active participation at the local level where "newer" staff can quickly become involved and see the results first hand. Local involvement will translate to state and national involvement. Providing this continuum will increase new member numbers and provide the opportunity for continued involvement as their careers progress, keeping RCPs involved with their professional organization.

Encourage continued development of advanced credentials and advanced degree programs in respiratory care. These provide goals for "new" RCPs to aim toward. The AARC should also take an active role in promoting career ladders that recognize and reward advanced standing. This provides a win/win scenario. The ultimate winner is our customer.