The ingredients that go into creating a highly successful person can undoubtedly vary. In terms of a career in respiratory care, most would say significant contributions to your job, community, and professional organization top the list.
John Campbell shares his secrets to success. John Campbell, MA, MBA, RRT, RRT-NPS, RPFT, FACHE, checks all those boxes. In addition to his long career in respiratory care management, currently as director of pulmonary services for St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, MS, Campbell has the following experiences and accolades:
- Member of the AARC House of Delegates
- Member of the AARC Political Advocacy Contact Team
- Volunteer with the Hot Springs Christian Charitable Clinic
- Member of the Cardiovascular Health Task Force under the Governor’s Council Healthy Arkansas.
Campbell has also received awards from the AARC and the Arkansas Society for Respiratory Care.
He believes engaging in these five activities has helped him make the most of his career —
- Education: I’ve taken advantage of opportunities to further my formal education. My goal was not so much about career advancement as it was more about obtaining knowledge and skills. As the knowledge and skills were put more and more into use, good work gets noticed, and career opportunities seemed to follow.
- Challenging Times: There have been some very challenging times in my professional career that have often required coming up with challenging solutions. Each one of these situations has helped me learn and are building blocks filled with confidence and experience. That which does not kill us makes us stronger.
- Being Multi-skilled: As a respiratory therapist, I have always felt that I have good clinical knowledge and skills. As I moved further into management, I realized I needed a new set of skills. Eventually, I obtained master’s degrees in human resource management and business administration and became board credentialed as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. These all added credibility and skills needed when working with health care business and administrative staff.
- Networking: I’ve been able to make many professional connections through my state societies and the AARC. I often reach out to others for information that ultimately helps to enhance my daily work. My network of colleagues is invaluable to me, and I am grateful for each one of them.
- Mentors: I have not been involved with any formal mentoring programs, but there have been numerous individuals who have given me good advice, educated me, been critical at times, and who have been the positive examples both professionally and personally. My good fortune has been to be open-minded enough to absorb some of this wisdom and put it to good use. These successful individuals have helped me to succeed.
Going down these paths helped John Campbell. They can help you too, whether your primary interest is in the managerial arena or you have your sights set on another area of opportunity in the respiratory care profession.
