AARC’s 2024 Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) provided respiratory therapists with a prestigious opportunity to develop connections with a mentor and other RT professionals worldwide. The program helped participants focus on what it takes to be a leader in the profession. Thirteen highly qualified individuals, out of 71 applications, were selected for the program based on a set of stringent criteria.
Activities that the ELP recipients took part in 2024 included:
- Presentations at Summer Forum and Congress
- AARC Committee meetings
- State Affiliate meetings
- Regular one-on-one meetings with their mentor and other ELP participants
“The program’s highlight for me as a mentor was meeting with my mentee, Meliza Walsh, every Friday. The hour we spent each week allowed me to listen, provide feedback, and learn as well,” said Douglas S. Gardenhire, EdD, RRT, RRT-NPS, FAARC, Chair and Professor, and Assistant Dean in the Department of Respiratory Therapy at Lewis College and Georgia State University. “In Meliza’s position, she is leading pediatric respiratory therapists, whereas my work in leadership has been in an academic environment. I found that what we discussed was similar, no matter the setting. Good leadership is good leadership, no matter what the setting. I participated in the Emerging Leaders Program because I strongly support a servant leadership philosophy. I have been fortunate to be served by excellent mentors such as Allen Barbaro in my early years of learning respiratory therapy to Drs. Joseph L. Rau and Lynda T. Goodfellow, during my time in academia. We need more RTs to serve and advance our profession so that it is easier for those who come after to continue to carry the torch and do even more to grow this great respiratory therapy profession,” said Gardenhire.
Congratulations to the Class of 2024 Emerging Leaders and their mentors:
| Emerging Leader | Mentor |
| Meliza Walsh (Alvarez), MHA, RRT, RRT-NPS, AE-C | Doug Gardenhire EdD, RRT, RRT-NPS, FAARC |
| Sarah Bazelak, MSc, RRT, RRT-ACCS, AE-C | Jefferson Mixell, MBA, RRT-ACCS |
| Allison Schweizer, RRT, RRT-NPS, EMT-P | Maria Madden, MS, RRT-ACCS, FAARC |
| James Keith, BS, RRT, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, AE-C | Dana Stauffer, MS, RRT-NPS |
| Amber Milem, MHA, RRT, RRT-NPS | Natalie Napolitano, PhD, MPH, RRT-NPS, FAARC |
| Wendy Fascia, MBA, MA, RRT, RRT-NPS, CES-A | Ken Thigpen, BS, RRT, FAARC |
| Jessica George, MHA, RRT, RRT-ACCS | Carolyn LaVita, MHA, RRT, RRT-ACCS, RRT-NPS |
| Chrysalis Ashton, BSRC, RRT | Scott Reistad, BA, RRT, CPFT, FAARC |
| Michelle Rausen, MS, RRT, RRT-NPS | Katie Burr, MSM-HCA, RRT, RRT-NPS, AE-C |
| Laura Taylor, MS, RRT, RRT-NPS, CTTS-M | Shawna Strickland, PhD, CAE, RRT, FAARC |
| Chris Mead, RRT, RRT-ACCS | Keith Lamb, RRT, RRT-ACCS, FAARC, FCCM |
| Valerie Koller, MEd, RRT, RRT-NPS | Steve Hardt, MA, RRT, RRT-ACCS |
| Jennifer Pedley, MPH, RRT | Keith Siegel, MBA, RRT, CPFT, FAARC |
The AARC congratulates the ELP Class of 2024 and looks forward to seeing their accomplishments in the future! The Class of 2025 ELP applications will be available within the next several weeks. Keep an eye on your email and the website for more information and submission deadlines.
