AARC Activities:
- Board of Directors, Chair of the Neonatal/Pediatric Section: 2022 – Present
- Increased section membership 9.3% to reach 2,000 members (with continued growth!)
- Created “Peds Meets” bimonthly section meetings with the goals to discuss a current “hot topic” led by an expert guest, share updates from the profession and AARC, and allow for an open forum. List of meetings and topics below:
- January 2023: “Crisis Management and Surge Planning” with Katlyn Burr, RRT, RRT-NPS, AEC, Scott Pettinichi, MEd, RRT, RRT-NPS, Jennifer Watts, MSc, RRT, RRT-NPS, C-NPT, and Emilee Lamorena, MSc, RRT, RRT-NPS
- January 2023: AARC Webcast with by Anne Geistkemper, MSc, RRT, RRT-NPS and Steven Shein, MD, FCCM: “Clinical Management of Bronchiolitis: From Mild to Critical”
- May 2023: Jie Li, PhD, RRT, RRT-ACCS, RRT-NPS, FAARC: “Aerosol Delivery Best Practices”
- July 2023: AARC Webcast with Howard Panitch, MD: “Ventilator Management Strategies for Severe BPD”
- September 2023: Brian J. Smith, MSc, RRT, RRT-NPS: “Implementation Science & HFNC Protocol Development”
- January 2024: Brian K. Walsh, PhD, RRT, FAARC: “Lessons Learned from the 2022 Bronchiolitis Epidemic”
- April 2024: “Navigating Decisions-Making for Neonatal/Pediatric Trach and Vented Patients”: A Panel Discussion
- May 2024: AARC Webcast with Jennifer Erkinger, MS, RRT-NPS, AE-C, C-NPT: “Transitioning from the Critical Care Ventilator to the Home Ventilator in the NICU/PICU”
- National Recognition:
- OC50 2023: 50 Shaping the Future of Healthcare in Orange County (2023)
- AARC Specialty Practitioner of the Year (SPOTY): Neonatal/Pediatric Section (2020)
- AARC Preceptor Recognition Award (2017, 2018, 2019, 2021)
- AARC Committees:
- Critical Care Transport Section, BOD Liaison, 2022 – Present
- Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) Pediatric Aerosol Therapy, Member, 2024 – Present
- Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, & Accountability (IDEAA) Committee, Member, 2023 – Present
- Safe and Effective Staffing (SESG) Guide Expert Panel and Taskforce, Member, 2023 – Present
- National Respiratory Therapy Residency Collaborative, Member, 2023 – Present
- Clinical Educators Community, AARC Liaison, 2023 – Present
- Speakers Academy Mentor, 2023
- Leadership & Management Section, Member, 2017 – Present
- Education Section, Member, 2017 – Present
- Speaking Engagements
- AARC Congress:
- 2019: “High Frequency Percussive Ventilation: Does It Have A Role In Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care?” and “Clinical Preceptorship: How and Why?”
- 2020: “Calm Seas Don’t Make Good Sailors: How To Build Trust As A New Leader”
- 2021: “Get The Junk Out: Airway Clearance Therapies in Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care”
- 2022: “Dare To Be Different: Non-Conventional Modes of Ventilation in NeoPeds Care”
- 2023: “New Graduate Residency Programs: A Panel Discussion” and “Clinical Precepting: The Key to Elevating Respiratory Care”
- AARC Summer Forum:
- 2023: “Perspectives on Enhancing Staff Engagement: Panel Discussion”
- AARC Webcasts:
- “Bronchiolitis Symposium: Surge Planning, Triage Planning, Crisis Staffing” (January 2023)
- “Effective Preceptors: A Panel Discussion” (September 2018)
Affiliate Activities:
- California Society of Respiratory Care: Speaker (2023 – present)
- “The Leadership Mindset: Transforming the Future of Respiratory Care” (June 2024)
- “Bronchiolitis: Clinical Management & Lessons Learned from the 2022 Surge” (June 2023)
- Illinois Society for Respiratory Care: Speaker (2020 – 2022)
- “Dare To Be Different: Non-Conventional Modes of Ventilation” (May 2022)
- “Calm Seas Don’t Make Good Sailors: How To Build Trust As A New Leader” (May 2021)
- “Clinical Preceptorship: How and Why?” (September 2020)
- Michigan Society for Respiratory Care: Speaker (2021)
- “Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist: What Is Its Role in Neonatal Pediatric Respiratory Care?” (April 2021)
- New Hampshire Society for Respiratory Care (2024-Present)
- “Preparing For The Pediatric Viral Season: What We’ve Learned About Bronchiolitis And High Flow Nasal Cannula” (September 2024)
Related Organizations:
- Children’s Hospital Association (CHA): Steering Advisory Committee, Speaker, and Member (2017 – present)
- “Recruitment and Retention Best Practices” (April 2024)
- “Value-Based Respiratory Care: Best Practices in Budget, Staffing, and Productivity Reporting” Webinar (March 2024)
- “How Are We Preparing For Our Future? RT Transition-To-Practice Programs and Mentorship” (October 2023)
- “Surge, Triage, and Budget Planning” (March 2023)
- National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC): Consultant, Neonatal/Pediatric Specialty Exam (2023 – Present)
- National Pediatric Disaster Coalition: AARC Liaison (2023 – Present)
- Indiana University Health Respiratory Therapeutics Spring Conference: Speaker
- “Clinical Precepting and Mentorship: The Key To Elevating the Future of Respiratory Care” (March 2024)
- Annual Pursley Seminar – Ozarks Technical College: Speaker
- “Dare To Be Different: Non-Conventional Mechanical Ventilation in Neonatal/Pediatric Care” (March 2024)
- Evidence in Action – Fisher & Paykel: Speaker
- “Is Your RT Toolbox Ready? Preparing for the Next Pediatric Respiratory Surge” (August 2023)
- Intensive Care Online Network – Respiratory Care Conference: Speaker
- “Get The Junk Out: Airway Clearance Therapies in Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care” (May 2022)
- Lurie Children’s Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Conference: Speaker
- “Hot Topics in Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care” (October 2019)
- “Clinical Preceptorship in Neonatal Pediatric Respiratory Care: How and Why?” (October 2018)
Education:
- Master of Science in Respiratory Care, Rush University, 2013
- Bachelor of Science in Biology, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), 2008
Publications:
- “Hyperinflation and its association with successful transition to home ventilator devices in infants with chronic respiratory failure and severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia.” Journal of Perinatology. 2023. (co-author and contributor)
- “Microorganisms Associated with Vibrating Mesh and Jet Nebulizers During Mechanical Ventilation in the Acute Care Setting: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2017. (co-author and contributor)
- “NAVA: What’s The Big Deal?”. AARC Times. 2020 (author)
Elections Committee Questions:
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the AARC, and what do you recommend to address it?
The biggest challenge facing the AARC is re-engaging our profession and our members. We need our members to regain trust in the organization, and realize (and feel!) the value of membership and organization under the AARC. As our profession stabilizes and accelerates post-pandemic, the AARC must establish itself as THE organization for Respiratory Therapists to elevate and fight for the profession. The AARC can accomplish this by being present and engaged – at the local and state levels, supporting the work of the state affiliates. The AARC must have transparent and frequent communication with its members, and actively listen for feedback about what our members need to succeed. The AARC can help connect and create communities and networks for support – so that leaders, educators, and clinicians have access to the tools, mentors, and high-quality evidence they need to provide the best care. We must invest in the development and support of new and emerging leaders.
Healthcare is changing more rapidly than ever. What ideas do you have to help today’s respiratory therapist meet these changes?
With the needs of the profession growing exponentially over the next 10 years, the profession must focus on 4 main things: 1) Retention and Engagement of the current workforce, and stabilization of hospital departments, 2) Ensuring the successful transition-to-practice of new graduates into the field, 3) Mentorship and development of the future leaders of respiratory care, and 4) Growing and building research skills and evidence-based-medicine knowledge in Respiratory Therapists in order to contribute to the science of our profession, and prove the value of Respiratory Care.
In order to accomplish these things, the AARC must continue to develop and publish resources and high-quality education for clinicians, leaders, researchers, and educators. We must break down silos, and instead build communities to share best practices, policies, and protocols so that all RTs have easy access to the tools they need. We are stronger as a community, and we only succeed if ALL of us succeed!
If given the opportunity to represent your section, what would you do to increase section membership and promote engagement?
If I had the honor to serve as the Chair of the Neonatal/Pediatric Section, I would continue building on all of the work and engagement I have been cultivating during my first term. The bi-monthly “Peds Meets” Meetings have had great success, and I would continue designing engaging, relevant, and important topics for our section. I would also build a robust Journal Club and Patient Case Reviews, to further the learning of our section members.
The work we do in neonatal/pediatric care is so unique – and I would like to build a library of evidence-based best-practice protocols from our top Children’s Hospitals to serve as a resource and guide for all NeoPeds RTs. I would continue to build a curriculum of continuous education, and highlight new leaders and RTs who have been doing incredible work. Ultimately – the Chair is the voice of the RTs on the Board of Directors. I will continue to advocate for the needs of NeoPeds RTs so we have the resources and support we need to succeed.
