Howard McDonald

Megan Dubosky

Sara Brundidge

Richard HInchliffe

Mary Ann Boushee

Jennifer Wendling

Vernon Pertelle

Charles Brinegar

Krista Johnson

• Kathleen Warner brags on her most recent graduating class in this article in the Opelousas, LA, Daily World. All 11 passed their NBRC exams on the first try and were gainfully employed within one month of graduation. “The pass rate is an example of how well the students are trained and provides an indication of their skills and knowledge base,” Kathleen was quoted as saying.

• Robert Kacmarek, Carl Voss, Howard McDonald, and Tom Striplin are all noted for their spots on the program of an upcoming symposium on “Managing Pulmonary Patients in the 21st Century” in this press release in the Digital Journal. The symposium is being hosted by the Specialty Hospital of Washington on April 24.

• Megan Dubosky and Sarah Brundidge get the word out about their 5k/10k fun run/walk to support respiratory research in this article in the Chicago, IL, Tribune. Money raised by the event will be added to an endowed fund set up in memory of Megan’s mom, Kathleen Mai, who lost her battle with IPF a few years ago.

• Richard Hinchliffe explains how seasonal allergies affect people with asthma and what they can do to ensure proper treatment in this article and video on WCAX-TV website out of Vermont.

• Christy Hall is the go-to person for advice on sleep in two recent stories and videos on the FOX-TV website out of North Carolina: In this edition she talks about OSA and the devices used to treat it. In this one she discusses snoring in kids.

• Mary Ann Boushee’s department is selling coupon books to support asthma education and she talks about the value of that education in this article in the Crookston, MN, Times announcing the sale. “We are seeing more and more asthmatics these days and feel that given the education and tools to manage their condition we will see fewer emergency room visits and acute care admissions,’’ she was quoted as saying.

• Highline College is seeking nominations for its 2014 Distinguished Alumnus Award in this article in the Waterland Blog out of Washington State, and Carl Hinkson is noted as last year’s recipient. The award goes to grads who have “made significant contributions through community service, noteworthy professional achievement and/or recognized leadership.”

• Jennifer Wendling’s department just donated a BiPAP machine to Chyane Collins’ RT program and both therapists talk about the great partnership that led to the gift in this article in the Hillsboro, OH, Times Gazette. “We appreciate the efforts of our partners to provide as realistic a learning experience as possible and are happy to support those efforts when possible,” Jennifer was quoted as saying.

• Vernon Pertelle’s company is launching a clinical trial aimed at evaluating the use of RTs to provide disease management for COPD patients and he comments on the endeavor in this press release in the Digital Journal. “‘The ‘New Healthcare Normal’ creates opportunities to leverage a very valuable member of the healthcare team to improve performance in the era of Value Based Health Care,” he was quoted as saying.

• Rae O’Leary’s most recent effort on behalf of smoking cessation is covered in this article in the Rapid City, SD, Journal. Rae helped kids – including those struggling to give up tobacco themselves — organize skits depicting the down side of cigarettes in honor of Kick Butts Day on March 19.

• Military member Charles Brinegar is profiled in this article on DVIDS.com for taking on extra tasks during his deployment to Afghanistan. The work recently earned him a “Service Member of the Month” award at his hospital.

• Molly Schaefer answers a question about how much sleep the average person needs in this column in the Britt, IA, News Tribune. “The amount of sleep a person requires varies by individual and by factors, including age,” she told her readers.

• Cindy Soares explains how irritants in the air can affect anyone in this article in the Utica, NY, Observer-Dispatch. “Any time you’re breathing any type of irritant, whether it is dust particles or pollen, your body reacts differently,” she was quoted as saying.

• An oxygen bar has popped up in Gary Axness’ community and he warns against thinking there’s any benefit from the oxygen it provides in this article and video on valleynewslive.com out of Fargo-Grand Forks, ND.

• Student member Krista Johnson just received a $500 Women’s Education Award from Soroptimist International of Junction City, OR, and the honor was announced in this article in the Tribune News.

And these hospitals have received kudos for earning the AARC’s Quality Respiratory Care Recognition –

• CarePoint Health Christ Hospital in this press release in the Digital Journal.
• Gaylord Specialty Healthcare in this article in The Courant out of Hartford, CT.
• Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center in this article in the Central Kentucky News.