Director, Respiratory Care Services
Providence Regional Medical Center Everett
Everett, WA
AARC Member since 1984
AARC Activities
Chair, Bylaws Committee, 2011
Chair-elect, Bylaws Committee, 2010
Member, Management Section 2000—present
HOD Activities
Delegate, Respiratory Care Society of Washington, 1994—1997 and 2006—2009
Chair, Progress and Transition Committee, 1997
Member, Elections Committee, 2006
Chair, Chartered Affiliates Committee, 2007—2009
Member, Legislative Affairs Committee, 2008—2009
Affiliate Activities
President, Respiratory Care Society of Washington, 1999
President Elect, Respiratory Care Society of Washington, 1998
Past President, Respiratory Care Society of Washington, 2000
Member Board of Directors, Respiratory Care Society of Washington, 1993—1994
President, Cascade Chapter, Respiratory Care Society of Washington, 1991
PACT Representative in Washington, DC, 2002—present
Chair, Legislative Committee, 2000—present
Program Chair, Cascade Chapter Conference, 1990
Member, Program Committee, Respiratory Care Society of Washington, 1992—1996
Related Activities
Member, Ad Hoc Committee, Washington State Respiratory Care Licensure Board, 2000—present
Chair, Novation Respiratory Council, 2006
Chair, Providence Respiratory Resource Group, 2002—2004
Member, Novation Respiratory Council, 2004—2007
Member, Providence Respiratory Resource Group, 1994—present
Education
Illinois Wesleyan University, BA, 1972
Respiratory Care Program Graduate, Skagit Valley College, 1984
RRT, 1986
Publications
“A Utilization Review of Incentive Spirometry and Chest Physiotherapy,” AARC Congress Open Forum Abstract, 1989
“Savings Associated with Therapist-Driven Protocols for Bronchodilators,” AARC Congress Abstract, 1992
"Advocacy, A Primer on How to Manage a Bill Through Your Legislature", AARC Times Article, September 2011
What AARC or Chartered Affiliate offices/positions have you held where you feel you made a significant contribution to our profession? What is the contribution and how will you apply it to your new position if elected?
As Chair of the AARC Bylaws Committee, I asked the committee members to each specifically mentor a couple of Affiliates. Each committee member developed a relationship with the people from the Affiliate who were responsible and helped them through the Bylaws process. This allowed the Affiliates to have a personal contact who could answer their questions during the process. As Chair of the Chartered Affiliates Committee, I led the team through the revision of the process for determining which Affiliate would win the Summit Award. I led our team to develop specific objectives that were easily scored and could be accomplished by any Affiliate. This led to a fairer process overall. If elected to the AARC Board, I will use these leadership skills to help keep the AARC focused on innovation, patient advocacy and the promotion of scientific research in our profession.
As a leader, what do you see as the top 3 priorities for the AARC, and what steps would you take to advance those priorities?
The top priority for the AARC is Patient Advocacy. Our patients are the reason we chose this profession. Personally, I will continue to work through the PACT and on our local state legislative process. As a Board member, I would promote the support of the AARC for the PACT activities and continue the work to involve our patients and other partner organizations in this process. The second priority is to increase membership. I would work to promote the benefits of AARC membership to the profession and to increase the support that the AARC gives to its members. The third priority should be to continue the advancement of the science of respiratory care. I would continue to support the educational work of the AARC, the partnership with other professional and government organizations and the recognition of the great work the members of our profession accomplish. This will also increase public awareness.
Leadership development is an issue facing many organizations, including the AARC. What can the AARC do to mentor the next generation of leaders?
As a Director of Respiratory Care Services, I provide our hospital as a clinical site for RT students. I have also had an RT intern program for many years that gives students the opportunity to work in the field under the supervision and mentorship of an experienced RCP. I also promote and support RCPs on my staff to take on leadership roles in the Respiratory Care Society of Washington. I have several board members and this year’s RCSW Past President on my staff. One thing the AARC can do is to include new people through a mentorship program for the Board and House of Delegates to attend meetings to observe the workings of these groups. I also think that every committee should solicit a member who is new to the process. The Board could take an active part in identifying prospective people for committee work through their local Affiliates.