Director-at-Large
Curt Merriman, BA, RRT, CPFT
CORE Staffing & rtNOW Telehealth
Chief Sales Officer
Member Since: 1978
AARC Activities:
- AARC, Ascent Spirometry Project Manager, 2014-2017
- Pulmonary Disease Educator Course Presenter, March 2015; Sept 2015; March 2016; Online course launched Nov 2016
- AARC, National Captain, Drive4COPD Adopt-a-Company, 2012
- LAC-MD-32 Project Assistant, 2012-2013
- BI Spirometry Trainer, 2011-2014
- PACT Member 2011-present
HOD Activities:
- HOD, Treasurer, 2015-2016
- Delegate, Minnesota Society for Respiratory Care , 2013-2014
- Delegate, Minnesota Society for Respiratory Care, 2008-2011
- HOD, Publications Committee Member, 2008-2009
Affiliate Activities:
- President, Minnesota Society for Respiratory Care, 2004
- Vice President, Minnesota Society for Respiratory Care
- Secretary, Minnesota Society for Respiratory Care, 2006-2008
- Delegate, Minnesota Society for Respiratory Care, 2008-2011
- Delegate, Minnesota Society for Respiratory Care, 2013-2014
- Board of Directors, Minnesota Society for Respiratory Care, 1999-2001 and in the 1980s
- Co-Chair, Legislative Affairs, Minnesota Society for Respiratory Care, 2012-present
- Member, Legislative Affairs, Minnesota Society for Respiratory Care, 2008-2011
- Chair, Annual Education Committee, Minnesota Society for Respiratory Care
- Crew Chief Drive4COPD, Minnesota Society for Respiratory Care, 2013
- State Captain Drive4COPD, Minnesota Society for Respiratory Care, 2011
- Vendor Liaison, Minnesota Society for Respiratory Care, 1995-2002
- Chair Legislative Affairs, Minnesota Society for Respiratory Care, 1979-1983
- Respiratory Care Practitioner of the Year, Minnesota Society for Respiratory Care, 2008
- Vendor Advertising Cmte Co-Chair, Minnesota Society for Respiratory Care, 2009-present
Related Organizations:
- President, Minnesota Association of Home Medical Equipment, 1999-2000
- Secretary, Minnesota Association of Home Medical Equipment, 2006-2008
- Board of Directors, Midwest Association for Medical Equipment, 2001-2003
- Minnesota State Chair, Midwest Association for Medical Equipment, 2001-2003
Education:
- A.A.S. Respiratory Therapy, St Mary’s Jr College, 1979
- B.A. Business Administration, Metropolitan State University, 1994
- RRT, National Board for Respiratory Care, 1979
- CPFT, National Board for Respiratory Care, 2009
Elections Committee Questions:
What AARC or Chartered Affiliate offices/positions have you held where you feel you made a significant contribution to our profession? What is the contribution and how will you apply it to your new position, if elected?
I believe my professional journey of holding offices on the state and national level has allowed me to contribute to our profession by being a conduit between the Minnesota state RTs and the inner workings of our profession. My time as the HOD Treasurer and a HOD Delegate has provided me to further develop my leadership skills and knowledge on national issues affecting our profession: legislation, regulatory, education and areas of advancement. Working effectively with other respiratory leaders in the profession and my passion for our profession and the patients we serve will allow me to impact our organization.
What experience would you bring to the AARC to accomplish the goals set out by President Walsh?
During my time as HOD Treasurer I had the opportunity to participate with the AARC BOD, Strategic Goal Objective #2. The work of this committee focused on advancing the knowledge base and educational preparation of respiratory therapists to ensure competent patient care and to foster patient safety. This experience falls in line with President Walsh’s focus on quality, safety and value. Advancing the educational requirements to a bachelor’s degree and the development of an Advanced Practice Respiratory Therapist (APRT). Improving access to respiratory therapists – right place, right time, right expert – is an area I have personal experience with on a daily basis in my professional work life. Working with telehealth as a means of providing our services in areas that do not have access to qualified RTs 24/7 continues to be a passion of mine; providing the patient and other health professionals the support they need when it is needed.
What ideas do you have to attract non-members to join the AARC?
Each of us active members can be leaders by example to non-members. We need to talk about it often. Continue to provide the tools for current members to talk about and show the tremendous benefits our national organization provides the individual therapist and the profession nationally and internationally.
Role-Specific Questions:
How would you, as a member of the AARC Executive Committee, work to move the profession forward based on the work done by our current and previous presidents?
I see the role as someone being actively engaged in the Association’s goals and objectives set forth by the president, working closely with the AARC executive office, and supporting and engaging with the membership to advance the profession and membership growth. Specific issues, in my opinion, are membership growth, advancing the profession via education requirements, and allowing our patients access to a respiratory therapist in creative innovative ways. Allowing the access to respiratory therapists also means legislative changes for reimbursement for our services.
