Pre-Courses — Sunday, July 12
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Great Egret A | General
CoARC Meet the Referee
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
This session is an opportunity for program personnel and administrators to meet with their program referees on an individual basis to discuss:
- Recent changes to CoARC policies, procedures, and documentation involving the referee process.
- Interpretation of the new CoARC accreditation standards.
- What is recommended for improvement of the institution or program, including any progress reports.
- How to communicate appropriately and effectively with their program referee and Executive Office staff.
Attendance for this session is on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees are required to pre-register and you must have or create a Google account to complete the registration form. Registration will close June 5, 2026. Registered attendees will receive an email with more information.
1:00 p.m.–5:20 p.m. | Calusa Ballroom A–E | Education
AARC Master Class
The Blueprint for Clinical Readiness: Aligning Respiratory Care Simulation with Best Practice Standards
This comprehensive series explores the full lifecycle of high-quality simulation, grounded in best practice standards and practical application. Participants will examine how effective simulation begins long before implementation—through intentional design, measurable objectives, and structured alignment with programmatic goals and professional competencies. Sessions guide educators in developing detailed scenario storyboards that integrate clinical cues, environmental fidelity, and patient narratives to address targeted learning gaps.
Pre–registration is required. Approved for 3.66 hours of continuing education credits (CRCE).
1:00 p.m.–1:05 p.m.
Introduction
Georgianna Sergakis, PhD, RRT, RCP, AE-C, FAARC, FNAP
1:05 p.m.–1:50 p.m.
Simulation Design: The Blueprint of Success
Samantha Davis, DMSc, RRT, RRT-NPS, CHSE-A, FAARC
High-quality simulation begins long before the manikin is turned on. This session introduces a systematic approach to scenario development based on the Design standard. Participants will explore how to build a “storyboard” that includes clinical cues, environmental fidelity, and patient backstories designed to meet specific educational gaps.
1:55 p.m.–2:40 p.m.
Facilitation and Debriefing: The Art of the Conversation
Jasmine Brown, MS, RRT, RRT-ACCS, CHSE-A
The facilitator’s role is to guide without interfering. This session focuses on the Facilitation and Debriefing standards, emphasizing the move from “telling” to “eliciting.” Participants will practice various debriefing frameworks designed to help students uncover their own clinical reasoning and decision-making processes during complex simulated scenarios.
2:45 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Measuring What Matters: Objectives, Evaluation, and Performance in Simulation
Stephanie Holst, MS, RRT
Theresa Meinen, MS, RRT, CHSE
Effective simulation design requires clarity from beginning to end—starting with well-written objectives and ending with defensible evaluation. This session integrates the Objectives and Outcomes and Evaluation of Learning and Performance standards to help educators intentionally align simulation purpose, learner expectations, and assessment strategies. Participants will learn how to write objectives linked to program outcomes and then select or design evaluation methods that accurately measure those objectives. Emphasis will be placed on choosing between formative and summative approaches, developing standardized assessment tools, and ensuring reliability and objectivity across evaluators — particularly in high-stakes simulation environments.
3:50 p.m.–4:35 p.m.
Implementing VR Training in Respiratory Care Hospital-Based Education
James Keith, MHs-Ed, RRT, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, AE-C, CHSE
This lecture introduces the integration of Virtual Reality (VR) into hospital-based respiratory care education, focusing on tracheostomy management and other aspects of high-risk patient care. Participants will explore how immersive simulation enhances competency, confidence, and patient safety while reducing training risks. It will also give educators ideas for implementing VR education in hospital-based curricula.
4:40 p.m.–5:20 p.m.
Challenges and Opportunities in Respiratory Care Simulation
Jasmine Brown, MS, RRT, RRT-ACCS, CHSE-A
Samantha Davis, DMSc, RRT, RRT-NPS, CHSE-A, FAARC
Stephanie Holst, MS, RRT
James Keith, MHs-Ed, RRT, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, AE-C, CHSE
Theresa Meinen, MS, RRT, CHSE
In this panel session, our faculty experts engage in a candid discussion regarding the practical realities of simulation programs. Topics include navigating resource constraints, managing faculty development, and the integration of emerging technologies. The session concludes with a Q&A where attendees can brainstorm solutions to institutional barriers and share success stories.