AARC leaders gathered with Ohio Society for Respiratory Care (OSRC) members for a 70th Anniversary Conference and exhibit at the end of April, bringing a little respiratory care history to the Dittrick Museum of Medical History on the campus of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.
The exhibit was organized by the museum after AARC member Steve DeGenaro, RRT, graciously donated his collection of vintage photos of the iron lung in action.
“I have always been interested in history and have collected vintage photography related to medical history for decades,” says DeGenaro. “The iron lung photography — and vintage respiratory therapy photography in general — is the bridge between my career and my hobby.”
The conference grew out of the exhibit and proceeds went to benefit the American Respiratory Care Foundation (ARCF).
Several members of the Ohio Society helped plan the event, including Terry Volsko, MHS, RRT, FAARC. “It was an honor to bring this event to Ohio,” she says.
The conference included talks on everything from mechanical ventilation to post-discharge services, with a list of speakers reading like a “who’s who” of respiratory care.
Ohio Senator Rob Portman officially recognized the conference and exhibit in a letter sent to the AARC, and the Cleveland City Council welcomed the AARC with a special proclamation that was presented by council member Anthony Brancatelli.
“It’s always a pleasure for me to share an overview of the AARC’s milestones with our members,” says AARC Historian Trudy Watson, BS, RRT, FAARC, who gave a talk on the history of the Association. She particularly enjoyed bringing the younger members in the audience up to speed on everything the AARC has done for respiratory care.
“Hopefully, the presentations at the Dittrick helped them better understand the evolution of various aspects of the AARC and the profession.”
Stay tuned for more on the exhibit, conference, and Steve DeGenaro’s passion for collecting medical memorabilia in your August issue of AARC Times.
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