Vice President — External
Jacklyn (Jakki) Grimball
BlueChoice HealthPlan/BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Clinical Account Manager Member Since: 1985
AARC Activities:
- AARC BOD, Vice President of External Affairs, 2020-Present (Appointed by AARC President)
- AARC BOD, Director-at-Large, 2019–2020
- AARC Finance Audit Sub-Committee, Chair, 2015
- AARC Cultural Diversity Committee member, 2015
- AARC Elections Committee, 2012–2014, Chair 2014
House of Delegates Activities:
- AARC House of Delegates, Past-Speaker/BOD Liaison 2017–2019
- AARC House of Delegates, Speaker, 2016
- AARC House of Delegates, Speaker-Elect, 2015
- AARC Finance Audit Sub-Committee, Chair, 2015
- AARC Cultural Diversity Committee member, 2015
- AARC Elections Committee, 2012–2014, Chair 2014.
- Co-Chair, Chartered Affiliate/Special Recognition Committee, AARC HOD, 2011–2014
- Chair, Chartered Affiliate Committee, AARC HOD, 2010–2011
- AARC Delegate, South Carolina Society for Respiratory Care, 2008–2015
Affiliate Activities:
- South Carolina Society for Respiratory Care, AARC Delegate, 2008–2015
- South Carolina Society for Respiratory Care, Board of Directors, Member 2002–2015
- Chair, Health Promotion/Public Relations Committee, South Carolina Society for Respiratory Care 2006–2008
- President, Board of Directors, South Carolina Society for Respiratory Care, 2005–2006
- President Elect, Board of Directors, South Carolina Society for Respiratory Care, 2004–2005
- Senior Regional Member, Board of Directors, South Carolina Society for Respiratory Care 2002–2004
Related Organizations:
- Board of Directors, American Lung Association of the Southeast, Charleston, SC, 2012–2017
- Nurse Asthma Care Education (NACE) Trainer, 2007
- President Board of Directors, American Lung Association of South Carolina, Midlands Chapter, 2002–2004
- South Carolina Asthma Alliance, Executive Committee, 2001–2013
- Secretary Board of Directors, American Lung Association of South Carolina, Midlands Chapter, 2000–2002
Education:
- FAARC, Fellow American Association for Respiratory Care, 2017
- PAHM, Managed HealthCare Professional, 2013
- AE-C, Certified Asthma Educator, #0278, 2003
- South Carolina Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner, # 56,
- Registered Respiratory Therapist, #24852
- Education:
- Professional, Academy for Healthcare Management, The Academy for Healthcare
- Management and America’s Health Insurance Plans, December 30, 2013
- Managed Healthcare Professional
- M.A. Business, Webster University, Columbia, South Carolina, 1999
- Concentration: Health Administration
- B.S. Health, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, 1994
- Concentrations: Health Education and Health Administration
- A.S. Respiratory Therapy, Midlands Technical College, Columbia, South Carolina, 1979
- Professional, Academy for Healthcare Management, The Academy for Healthcare
Elections Committee Questions:
Within your role, and if given the opportunity, how would you incorporate and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion to uphold, update, and uplift the AARC as an organization, all AARC affiliates, and all AARC members?
I have been the Chair and Co-Chair of the AARC Diversity and Inclusion Committee for several years. The committee has been working diligently to assist in adding topics at Congress on diversity, equity and inclusion. A member, who is now the Chair of the AARC Diversity and Inclusion Committee, is a consultant on the AARC Program Committee to provide input on locations for Congress, as well as topics on diversity, equity and inclusion. I will work with the AARC to ensure the AARC’s Strategic Goals regarding diversity and inclusion are met. One of the goals states the AARC will continue to identify a diverse faculty for meetings that represents membership. This includes representation of male, female, minorities and first time speakers. Another goal is to have an engaged, diverse membership comprised of a majority of Respiratory Therapists. I would also encouraged affiliates to include diverse representation of the population to be on their Board of Directors.
What ideas would you present to increase AARC membership?
The AARC membership dues are set at a reasonable rate. One of my ideas to increase membership include offering first time members a small discount when joining. Retention of members is also an issue with membership. To retain members the AARC can consider offering long-standing members a small discount for their “anniversary years.” On their 5th consecutive anniversary, membership dues are discounted by 5%, at 10 consecutive years a 10% discount, etc. Many non-members of the AARC are not aware of all of the benefits included in being a member. A great marketing tool is to use social media to advertise the many benefits of joining the AARC, such as the AARC credit card, access to published clinical practice guidelines, the travel discount program, educational courses and professional development programs. Another way to increase membership is for AARC members to encouraging non-members to join their professional organization as there is strength in numbers.
Role-Specific Questions:
Promoting the profession is considered one of the greatest opportunities, what are your ideas to help realize this opportunity?
My first thought is Respiratory Therapists should possess at least a bachelor’s degree as entry level to the profession and eligibility to take the registry exam. The RT profession needs this change to be recognized as a health care professionals by CMS. Each of us must do our part in promoting our profession. We should represent respiratory care at the legislative level by participating in all AARC’s lobby days and PACT week. Recruit students to the profession to keep the profession strong. Apply for positions in areas outside of the usual RT clinical setting to expand our scope of practice. RTs should always work to the full extent of your license. Promote the profession to fellow therapists to become members of the AARC and to be involved in the AARC’s mission and vision. Collaborate with other healthcare professionals and organizations. To increase public awareness, find ways RTs can help with new initiatives, whether they are work or community based. Be professional a all times.
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