Director-at-Large
Dana Evans, MHA, RRT, RRT-NPS
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
Director, Respiratory Care
Member Since: 1999
AARC Activities:
- Member, Finance Committee, 2016-present
- Member, Sub Audit Committee, 2016-present
- Member, Advance Practice Respiratory Therapist Ad Hoc Committee, 2016-present
- Member, AARC CPG Committee, 2017-2019
- Member, Management Section, 2012-present
- Member, Neonatal and Pediatric Section, 2002-present
- AARC Specialty Practitioner of the Year, Management Section, 2013
HOD Activities:
- Delegate, Missouri Society for Respiratory Care, 2013-2016
- House of Delegates Treasurer, 2016-2018
- Student Mentorship Committee, House officer liaison, 2016-2018
- Delegate Assistance Committee, House officer liaison, 2016-2018
- Professional Mentorship and Volunteerism, House officer liaison, 2016-2018
- Co-Chair, Student Mentorship Committee, 2014-2016
- Member, Student Mentorship Committee, 2013
- Member, Scrutinizing Committee, 2013-2016
Affiliate Activities:
- Vice President-Elect, Missouri Society for Respiratory Care, 2009-2010, 2011-2012
- Vice President, Missouri Society for Respiratory Care, 2010-2011, 2012-2013
- Delegate, Missouri Society for Respiratory Care, 2013-2016
- Director at Large, Missouri Society for Respiratory Care, 2011
- District III Vice-President, Missouri Society for Respiratory Care, 2007-2009
- Missouri Society for Respiratory Care, Chair, Education Committee, 2006-2016
- Missouri Society for Respiratory Care, Co-Chair, Annual Missouri State Conference Planning Committee, 2009-2013
- Missouri Society for Respiratory Care, Chair, Professional Education Grant, 2007-2016
- Missouri Society for Respiratory Care, Chair, Glen Kolander Memorial Leadership Award, 2012-2016
- Missouri Society for Respiratory Care, Co-Chair, Fall Symposium Specialty Conference, Neonatal and Pediatric Section, 2014
- Missouri Society for Respiratory Care, Craig A. Ziegelbein Service Award, 2012
- Missouri Society for Respiratory Care, Presidents Recognition Award, 2011 and 2012
Related Organizations:
- Consultant, National Board for Respiratory Care, Neonatal and Pediatric Specialty Exam Committee, 2014-present
- Subject Matter Expert, Solutions for Patient Safety, Pediatric Ventilator Associated Events Committee, 2017-present
- Member, Children’s Hospital Association, Pediatric Acute Care Orientation (PACO) Advisory Committee, 2016-2017
- Member, Children’s Hospital Association, Respiratory Directors Forum, 2016-present
- Member, Respiratory Care Program Advisory Board, University of Missouri, 2009-present
- Member, Respiratory Care Program Advisory Board, Rush University, 2016-present
- Member, Respiratory Care Program Advisory Board, Moraine Valley Community College, 2017-present
Education:
- Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA), University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007
- Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHS) Respiratory Therapy, University of Missouri-Columbia, 2001
- RRT, RRT-NPS
Publications:
- Turabelidze G, Gee JE, Evans D, et al. Contaminated Ventilator Air Flow Sensor Linked to bacillus cereus colonization of Newborns. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2013; 19(5):781-783.
- Evans D. The RTs Role in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Prevention and Management. AARC Times. January 2014.
- Evans D. Ventilating the Pediatric Patient. AARC Times. August 2015.
- Evans, D. Food Allergies – Always Read the Label! Allergy and Asthma Health. Winter 2016.
- Oakes D. Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care: A Critical Care Pocket Guide. 2017 edition. (Assistant Editor).
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 have a demonstrated history of program organization and development. As Education Chair for the MSRC, I implemented a student liaison program that created opportunities for students to become involved in the MSRC/AARC. They learned about the value and importance of remaining an active member. The students participate in board meetings, plan the student sessions at the state conference, work as a liaison for all students in the state and attend the House of Delegates meetings. The majority of program “alumni” remain actively involved and many of them have held officer positions in the society.
As Co-Chair of the House of Delegates Student Mentorship Committee, I was fortunate to work with students from around the country. In my time as Co-Chair, we saw the program grow from a small program to a very well developed, extremely popular and highly engaging opportunity for our students. This program, and programs like it, is vital to the continued growth of our professional organization.
If elected, I will leverage this experience to continue growing our connections with students and experienced respiratory therapists.
What experience would you bring to the AARC to accomplish the goals set out by President Walsh?
My experience as a Respiratory Therapist, program educator and department director have allowed me to develop skills in effective communication, program development, financial and budgetary analysis, quality improvement and strategic thinking. I believe that these skills are essential to meeting the goals set forth by President Walsh. Safety, quality and value are cornerstones to my personal practice as a department leader. I am passionate about ensuring that we are providing high quality, efficient and safe care that demonstrates exceptional value to our patients and those we work with. If elected, it would be my honor to use these skills and my passion to assist in achieving the goals of President Walsh.
What ideas do you have to attract non-members to join the AARC?
I have had the chance to speak with many non-members from around the country. Unfortunately, they often do not see the value in membership.
- In order to grow, I believe we must spend time personally connecting with Respiratory Therapists around the country in order to learn what they need and want from the AARC. They are the experts in what they need to help them provide exceptional care to patients and to achieve their personal and professional goals. If we take the time to listen and create personal connections, they will share what their needs are.
- I also believe we must continue to engage students and recent graduates. Developing a passion for our professional organization early is key to continued life-long membership and leadership within our field. Mentorship programs are one way we can achieve this.
- The AARC has a legacy of offering high quality, valuable services to our members. We must do more to market the already available services and help non-members to recognize the value of what the AARC does today.
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?
Serving as a representative of Respiratory Therapists would be a tremendous honor and one that I take very seriously. If elected I would consider carefully each issue in regard to how it will impact our profession, our patients and each Respiratory Therapist.
Health care is rapidly changing around us; we must change with it or risk being left behind. For the sake of our patients, we must move forward. As a profession, we should seek ways to provide more value and services to our patients and the health care system as a whole. It is time to reconsider our education standards, evaluate the possibility of advanced practice Respiratory Therapists and to continue working toward recognition by CMS as a provider. If elected, I would dedicate my time to ensuring that the BOD works to achieve President Walsh’s goals, the strategic plan of our organization and work with therapists to ensure we are heading in the right direction.
