Respiratory Care 2009

The Gold Standard in Respiratory Care Meetings

Congress Gazette

55th International Respiratory Congress • December 5–8, 2009, San Antonio, Texas

Friday, December 4

Largest respiratory care meeting in the world begins Saturday

by Michael A. Gentile RRT FAARC, Program Committee Chair

Mike Gentile
Michael A. Gentile RRT FAARC

On behalf of AARC President Timothy Myers BS RRT-NPS and the Board of Directors, we welcome you to San Antonio and to the “gold standard” of all respiratory care meetings: Respiratory Care 2009. The AARC Specialty Sections and the Program Committee are proud to present a program with more of everything that matters and that is influencing patient care under our responsibility. You may attend other educational meetings, but:

  • Nowhere else you will receive the latest information on health care reforms and how they will affect the job you do for your patients and your employer.
  • Nowhere else you will learn, see, and touch the latest advancements in patient care and technology than at the AARC Exhibit Hall with all the manufacturers in the industry showing their unique products.
  • Nowhere else you will experience the results of research presented to you by your peers in 16 OPEN FORUMS over the four days of the Congress.
  • Nowhere else you will receive all the CRCE credit you need to maintain your state license.
  • Nowhere else you will participate in programs in all areas of respiratory care: adult critical care, neonatal and pediatric care, home care, continuing care, rehabilitation, diagnostics, transport, management, education, sleep, and long-term care, all presenting the latest information.

And much, much more. Read through the Program and very rapidly you will realize why you have come to San Antonio to be part of the largest and most comprehensive respiratory care meeting anywhere, Respiratory Care 2009. Have a great meeting!

Awards Ceremony honors those serving the profession

The AARC, ARCF, and NBRC will pay tribute Saturday morning, Dec. 5, to those in our profession who have greatly served, represented, and supported the respiratory care profession.

The Awards Ceremony begins at 8:30 in the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center Ballroom. Included will be the presentation of our profession’s highest honor, the Jimmy A. Young Medal, awarded each year to an individual who has exceeded all expectations for meritorious service to the advancement of the respiratory care profession and to the AARC. This year’s honoree is inventor Forrest M. Bird, PhD, ScD, MD, FAARC, who will also present the 2009 Keynote Address.

The Keynote Address is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from GE Healthcare.

RC Solutions Showcase adds value to the Exhibit Hall

The Exhibit Hall is always your ticket to the latest information about RC technology, but this year we’ve bumped the value up a notch with the addition of our new RC Solutions Showcase—a dedicated space where exhibitors conduct 25-minute presentations on their latest products and services, with time budgeted for questions from the audience. Presentations set for tomorrow are “The Science of Electrical Impedance Tomography” by Draeger, “High-frequency Percussive Ventilation; What Is It, How Does It Work, and What Do the Results Show” by Percussionaire Corporation, and “The Life Pulse HFV: How It Works and Why It’s Effective” by Bunnell.

The Exhibit Hall grand opening is Saturday at 11 am and is always one of the highlights of the annual Congress. Attendees can make purchases right on the spot, often at special discounts for their institutions.

2010 AARC Corporate Partners announced

The AARC is proud to include the following companies in our Corporate Partner Program this coming year: CareFusion, Masimo, Covidien, Monaghan, Philips Respironics, Draeger, and GE Healthcare.

All of these companies comprise best-in-class organizations interested in supporting the goals and work of the Association. The program provides respiratory care providers with information, insights, and innovative approaches to improve performance and advance the health of their patients.

The Congress attendee’s checklist

With so many activities going on all at once at the Congress, making the most of your time is a real priority. Here are a few tips you can use to be sure you go home with all the information you came for:

  • Budget time after sessions to visit with lecturers and ask questions—all the lecturers at this meeting (even the biggest names here) will be available after their talks to speak directly with attendees.
  • Use the Congress to explore new career paths. All the Specialty Sections and Roundtables host meetings, and everyone (not just current members) is invited to attend.
  • Network with your colleagues to learn more about what they’re doing at their facilities and explore job opportunities around the country.
  • Collect business cards of the folks you meet and jot down notes on the back of the cards to remember who’s who and why they may be important to your future.
  • Set aside time each day to visit the Exhibit Hall and make a list of the vendors you want to see during each excursion. Remember, the Hall is open today through Monday, so you don’t have to see it all at once.
  • Ask vendors to share the scientific proof behind their new technologies and inquire about opportunities to conduct joint research projects.
  • Take advantage of vendor-sponsored events and be sure to request follow-up calls or visits from vendors once you get back home.

Copyright © 2009 American Association for Respiratory Care.